October Build 2011

Sep 2011

Lindsey Saultz, Volunteer and Public Service Intern

It all started with Christmas in October, an event that brought together local volunteers to help add value to their own communities by rebuilding houses and revitalizing neighborhoods. Since 1988, Rebuilding Together New Orleans has existed to organize this event, which relies on locals to dedicate two weekends of time, sweat and positivity to the task of revitalizing their city.

However, due to the drastic increase in need after Katrina, Rebuilding Together New Orleans has been operating as a full-time organization for the past six years, rebuilding houses and neighborhoods year round. Thousands of volunteers from outside Louisiana visit New Orleans each year to contribute to the cause; the organization worked with over 2,700 volunteers for nearly 70,000 hours last year alone. The work of these selfless individuals has help bring new life to neighborhoods throughout the city.

Even still, the organization will never forget the importance of local volunteerism. As the images of the storm fade in the minds of those from out-of-state, each year the number of these volunteers decreases. Louisianans are being relied on now more than ever to do what comes naturally: build a strong neighborhood.

No one knows what this city needs quite like those from here. Southern Louisianans are characterized as a group of people with a strong sense of community, making them an integral part of the rebuilding and revitalization process. Rebuilding Together New Orleans understands the importance this energy has on its mission. A homeowner’s high quality of life is not only a manifestation of a safe home but also a rich community.

October Build continues each year because of the need to engage local volunteers. This year, Rebuilding Together New Orleans will work with 25 teams and 375 local volunteers on 17 houses throughout the city. In only four days, these volunteers will make noticeable changes in seven New Orleans neighborhoods. Though each house has specific needs, these volunteers will generally be working on everything from painting and landscaping to hammering and drilling.

Throughout the year, Rebuilding Together New Orleans relies on the hard work of all volunteers to create safe and comfortable living environments for its homeowners, but it is the life and energy that local volunteers breathe into these projects that make October Build a truly unique event.

Rebuilding Together New Orleans Wants To Thank the Following Teams for Their Contribution to October Build

4.0 Schools
Academy of the Sacred Heart
Brown’s Diary
Cafe Hope
Camp, Dresser & McKee
Carrollton Rotary Club
Chevron
Concordia
Folgers Coffee Company
Hancock Banks
Harrah’s Casino
Home Builders Institute “Operation Reconstruct”
Home Builders Institute C-Core”
Junior League of New Orleans
Louisiana Land Trust
Louisiana Peace Corps Association
National Association of Letter Carriers
Our Lady of Holy Cross Association of Student Nurses
River Bend Rotary
Shell Oil
Third District Kiwanis
USDA-SRRC-Employee’s Benefit Club
Waldemar S. Nelson and Company
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Whitney Bank