For immediate release:
Contact:
Anne Ginther, President, RandomKid 214-383-4743 office / 612-210-9952 mobile
What: "Task Force" of Children invited by Habitat for Humanity's largest USA chapter to tour the gulf and report back to kids across the country on progress, and continued need.
Who: 9 children (including 2 Katrina survivors who live in a Habitat for Humanity home in Slidell), ages 10-15, from around country who are dedicated to rebuilding the gulf (see http://www.randomkid.org/NationalTaskforcetorebuildgulf.asp for bios)
When / Where: They arrive in Gulf Port, MS at 10:20 am Saturday, 11/03. They'll tour Habitat construction homes, go on a schooner ride that evening... tour Slidell, and New Orleans Sunday, they'll be recognized at a pro / am golf tournament in Biloxi on Monday, visit with Gulf Port school children, and fly out Monday afternoon. Detailed itinerary available upon request.
National "Task Force" of Children to Survey and Report on Gulf Progress to Nation's Kids
They call themselves the "National Task Force to Rebuild the Gulf." Their 12-year-old leader, Talia L. of Iowa, initiated the rally cry that united millions of kids to hurricane relief and rebuilding causes--ultimately raising over $10 Million dollars in one year. They just finished an awareness campaign working with governors across the United States. Now they're coming together to meet in person for the first time, and tour the gulf with leaders from Habitat for Humanity's largest USA chapter in Biloxi, MS.
Organized through emails and conference calls, this unlikely group of children strives to make a meaningful dent in the lingering devastation in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. They range in ages from 10 -15, and come from diverse backgrounds originating from locations across the nation. They are bonded together by two things—RandomKid (www.randomkid.org), a nonprofit that was born out of the hurricane relief efforts of one of the group’s 12 year-old members, and their raw determination to rebuild what was lost in the hurricanes of 2005.
According to a report by the Institute for Southern Studies, there are still 60,000 people still living in FEMA trailers as a result of the hurricanes two years ago. "It's hard to imagine not having 'home sweet home' for that long," said 12-year-old task force member Ellison K., "Their whole lives have been uprooted, and two years later, they're still waiting to figure out where they can lay down their roots. That's got to be hard."
Most of these kids will miss a day of school for this trip, but this is no vacation. Each child will have a job: One will be a photographer, one a videographer, there will be a "reporter," a print-journalist, and all will be blogging on the experience. They'll compile all that they gather from this trip to spread awareness about the help that is needed, and what kids and schools from around the USA can do to help. The kids will meet hurricane survivors, see where they're living, and see Habitat for Humanity volunteers in action. They'll visit historical parts of the gulf.
Having raised $25,000 worth of supplies for Brock Elementary School in Slidell, Louisiana last year, the task force will also get a tour of the school from task force member, 11-year-old Tonisha B. who attends Brock.
"We are honored to be hosting these children here in the gulf," said Kent Adcock, Director of Business Development & Community Relations for Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast, "They have proven to be a driving force in bringing awareness to our gulf rebuilding efforts, and we hope that their reports from the gulf will inspire many more children around the country to continue to help rebuild the thousands of homes that were destroyed by the 2005 hurricanes."
About RandomKid: (www.randomkid.org)
RandomKid is a 501c3 non-profit that helps kids help others. Founded by 12-year-old Iowan Talia Leman in 2005 after uniting kids across the United States to report more than 10 million for Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief, RandomKid now works to educate, mobilize and empower youth to meaningfully impact a broad spectrum of local, national and global needs. Please click here to read about the impact children have made through RandomKid.
About MS Gulf Coast Habitat for Humanity (www.hfhmgc.org)
Habitat for Humanity of the MS Gulf Coast (HFHMGC) serves Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. Since Katrina HFHMGC has 150 homes that have been either completed, or are under construction. HFHMGC believes every family deserves a ‘place they can call home’, and as such they are committed to providing the MS Gulf Coast with clean, decent affordable and safe homes. While eradication of poverty housing is a challenge in all locations, it is particularly challenging in the light of hurricane Katrina.
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