Alternative Spring Break 2007: Destination Port Arthur, Texas

Final preparations are underway for our Alternative Spring Break trip to participate in Lutheran Disaster Response's Hurricane Rita Relief Effort. Representing Lord of Light Lutheran Campus Ministry will be:

• Casey Francis


• Perry Francis


• Max Wineland


• Karen Wrenbeck


• ...and yours truly

About Port Arthur

According to wikipedia (which is to say, double check this information before repeating it with authority), Port Arthur:

• was founded by Arthur Edward Stilwell in the late 19th century, and was once the center of the largest oil refinery network in the world.


• is located on the western bank of Sabine Lake in Jefferson County of southeast Texas.


• had a total population of 57,755 in 2000.


• was home to Janis Joplin, "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias, Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson and the rap group UGK.

Meet Rita, Katrina's Mean-Spirited Younger Sister

During the night of September 23, 2005 and through early morning of September 24, Port Arthur was damaged by the winds and rain of Hurricane Rita. The damage was extensive and widespread, including flooding in the downtown area. Port Arthur had the highest recorded winds during Rita's landfall—at 198mph.

Many of the homes damaged by Hurricane Rita are older and so were not built to withstand the forces of a strong hurricane. The majority of these homes are owned by seniors, disabled folks and single-parent families who lack the financial resources to pay for necessary repairs. As a result of Rita's fury:

• 500,000 Texans requested help from FEMA


• 52,000 uninsured homes were damaged


• 12,890 elderly persons in Port Arthur have no resources to repair homes.

In Port Arthur, Lutheran Social Services of the South serves as the lead agency for Lutheran Disaster Response, working in conjunction with the Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization to provide case management and home repairs for those still struggling to get back on their feet following the hurricane.

Our Trip

We'll be making our way first to Houston and then to Port Arthur on Sunday, February 25th. Our home away from home will be St. John United Methodist Church, which is graciously opening its doors to us as it does to other hurricane relief volunteers. We'll be working all day, Monday - Thursday and have Friday morning open for exploring before afternoon departures from Houston.

My trusty crowbar, "Ole Miss," is ready for another adventure! Let the walls come tumbling down!

Yours,

Pastor Sue