Seven Families Get Keys to Waveland, MS Homes
As ‘Mission to Mississippi’ Wraps Up
See photos from Ceremony
JAN. 28, 2008 – WAVELAND, MS – Seven Waveland, MS families cut ribbons last Wednesday (Jan. 23) and walked into their new homes built by the Wayland to Waveland (W2W) Hurricane Katrina Relief Committee’s “Mission to Mississippi” project.
Nearly 100 people attended the ceremony outside the four houses on Combel Street in Waveland. The seven-member W2W committee attended along with four of the eight builders. Also at the ceremony was Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo, Lagniappe Presbyterian Church Pastor Jean F. Larroux, III, and several local officials and members of key Waveland organizations. Lagniappe was a key partner in acquiring the land and vetting the families during selection.
W2W committee member Kathie Steinberg recited a huge set of numbers related to the project from the street numbers of the houses right down to the number of light switches installed and the number of sandwiches served to workers. Mayor Longo presented mementoes to the W2W committee members and the builders. The builders attending each spoke, some very emotionally, about the project, each concluding to the families, “Welcome home.” Tom Mitchell of Mitchell Construction remarked, “these are just houses – you’ll make them homes.”
W2W Committee member Cindy Lombardo invited all the children from the families to join her, and told them always to remember that communities up north – 1500 miles away – are family and are caring about them. She reminded all that it’s not just the lives of those in the eight families that will feel the impact, but also those of many throughout Waveland, as well as those of hundreds of people and dozens of communities up north.
The gathering moved from house to house as Larroux offered each a blessing prior to cutting a ceremonial ribbon that unleashed a gush of people into each dwelling.
The families actually learned which house they would be getting in a private event Tuesday night. Small house number tiles were handed out to each family to deliver the news. Some of the children eagerly ripped some open, others seated with relatives revealed the contents more quietly. All were very excited having held back emotion until this moment when it became quite real.
Each family has to finish up formal documents to take over a small loan and official title to the properties. Some families started the process prior to the 10 am press conference on Wednesday. It’s expected the closing process will take between a week and 14 days.
The more than 400 skilled tradespeople who worked on the project came from the eight building companies assembled by lead builder Ken Vona of Kenneth Vona Construction. More than 60 contracting companies who work for the eight builders participated. Most of these companies donated their workers’ time, helping lower the dollar amount that had to be raised ($1.6 million) through donations. More than 100 volunteers also helped, each paying their own transportation, lodging and meals.
The eight builders participating in the project are the Kenneth Vona Construction of Waltham, Mitchell Construction Group of Medfield; Twin Peaks Construction, LLC of Norwood; Thoughtforms Corporation Builders of West Acton; Gallagher Home Builders, Inc. of Maynard; Whitla Brothers Builders of Medfield; CMG Builders of Rowley; and Custom Designs, Inc. of Wayland.
W2W is a public/private effort by the Town of Wayland, MA that has been working since shortly after Katrina struck the Gulf Coast to help those in Waveland.
Coin Drive Set
Saturday, Feb. 2
The Waveland (W2W) Hurricane Katrina Relief Committee will be holding a Coin Drive on Saturday, Feb. 2 to continue to raise money to support those in Waveland, MS.
Coin collection barrels will be at the Wayland Town Landfill and the Public Safety Building from 7 am to 4 pm on Saturday. Other convenient locations may be added so look for signs!
All Waylanders – along with friends, family and others from nearby towns – are urged to donate their collections of change (e.g., piggy banks, jars, cars, dressers). It all adds up, and even pennies will help W2W reach its goal.