BEHREND BUILDERS VOLUNTEERS REBUILD NEW ORLEANS

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Courtesy of Travel Television 

Behrend Builders and volunteers from around the country headed to New Orleans from May 28 - June 3, 2006 to renovate gut mold-infested, flood-damaged houses.

After seven feet of water descended upon and settled in the New Orleans home where June and Buddy Curry had lived for over 30 years, the couple did not know where to turn. They received only $7,000 from the insurance company to which they had been paying yearly premiums, as well as the inadequate FEMA funds given to homeowners affected by Hurricane Katrina. They could not find a construction company in the greater New Orleans area that fit their budget or their needs, and the thought of leaving the home in which they had raised their children was too overwhelming.

When they got the call from the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans that they had been chosen off a list of families in need circulating among New Orleans non-profits, they were thrilled. On May 29, 14 volunteers, including two professional contractors and two staff members from Behrend Builders , the community rebuilding project of the Washington DCJCC, showed up, gutting the house in less than three days. By the time they were finished the home was down to its original wooden frame, leaving the Currys the studs to rebuild upon to lessen the cost of restoration and allow the money they had received to go further.

For over 18 years, Behrend Builders has made a difference in the DC area, working with skilled and unskilled volunteers to repair, renovate and revitalize low-income family homes, community centers, schools, churches and synagogues, and other vital community spaces free-of-charge. This was the program's first venture outside of the DC metro area. According to Behrend Builders Coordinator Annie Mehlman , “it just made sense for us to go. What's needed in New Orleans is exactly what we do in DC, and I knew that our volunteers had the right skills and interest to get the job done. I knew DC area residents wanted to make a difference, and we wanted to give them the opportunity to do so.”

With funding and support from the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and private donations, the Behrend Builders group was able to completely gut three homes and partially gut a fourth over the week that they were in New Orleans . Said Behrend Builders Director Randy Bacon , “being a New Orleans native and having my entire family go through similar situations, it really meant a lot to be able to go home and affect my community through the work of our volunteers".

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