Shell, Brees Foundation contributed to St. John Parish recovery effort

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, February 27, 2013

LAPLACE – Shell Oil, in partnership with the Brees Dream Foundation, recently donated $50,000 to St. John United Way to assist in hurricane recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout St. John the Baptist Parish.
The donation was made to St. John United Way’s NO Place Like Home program.
NO Place Like Home works to coordinate the return of families to safe, secure and functional housing through partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, donors, companies and other entities.
SJUW NO Place Like Home partners include the St. John the Baptist Parish Long Term Recovery Group and Eight Days of Hope.
The SJBP LTRG is a group of faith-based, non-profit, governmental agencies, business and other organizations that provide financial support, materials and/or labor to address the needs of St. John the Baptist Parish residents in response to damage sustained from Hurricane Isaac and subsequent disasters as needed.
The organizations involved in the SJBP LTRG involved include Catholic Charities, BRACES, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, New Wine Development Corp., United Way, St. John the Baptist Parish and many others. These organizations are working in various subcommittees based on the type of skills or support they provide. The subcommittees include case management, volunteer and donation coordination, construction cleanup and unmet needs.
SJUW provided the principal monetary donation of $125,000 to the SJBP LTRG in November 2012.
To date, the SJBP LTRG has processed more than 1,000 requests for assistance from individuals who sustained damaged as a result of Hurricane Isaac. The SJBP LTRG has been able to fully complete 549 cases. The have utilized more than 830 volunteers totaling more than 21,500 volunteer hours.
Residents needing assistance recovering from damages sustained through Hurricane Isaac can call 985-359-0254, email isaacassistance@sjbparish.com or visit stjohnrecovery. com. Residents can also visit the SJBP LTRG Volunteer Reception Center at 1933 West Airline Highway in LaPlace.
Eight Days of Hope is scheduled to lead a major rebuilding effort of more than 150 homes affected by Hurricane Isaac in St. John Parish from March 9 to March 16.
Approximately 2,100 skilled volunteers from across the nation are expected to descend on the parish to provide the rebuilding assistance. Homes will be selected through case management conducted by various volunteer agencies.
Through their partnership, SJUW NO Place Like Home and the SJBP LTRG have contributed a combined $50,000 to fund the upcoming EDOH project.
For more information, call 985-651-9118 or visit stjohnunitedway. org.