Housing Hurricane Evacuees

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 Script:

(Locator: Nashville, TN) 

Joyce Butler, Hurricane Evacuee (unpacking her suitcase): “One pair of tennis shoes, underclothes, pants… “ 

As Hurricane Gustav took aim at New Orleans, 45-year-old Joyce Butler packed some clothes and followed a mandatory evacuation order.

Joyce Butler, Hurricane Evacuee:  “We boarded a plane and it was the first time I ever boarded a plane and they brought us here.”

Butler is among hundreds of New Orleans residents who relocated to Nashville, Tennessee to ride out the storm. She is staying at a Red Cross shelter at Hillcrest United Methodist Church.

Pastor says to evacuee: “Do you need to make a phone call?” (Man answers)  Just let ‘em know I’m okay.”

With help from church members, Butler has been able to call her adult children and stay in touch over the Internet.

(Shows picture on the computer) “This is my daughter.”

Paul Rearick refused to leave Metairie, Louisiana without his family, a 5-year-old tortoise shell cat named Maggie.

Paul Rearick, Hurricane Evacuee:  “Quite frankly, it’s the last thing I have left since Katrina.”

Following 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, Paul and his cat were turned away from three shelters which refused pets. Since then, home for this pair has been a FEMA trailer, then a motel room, and now a church gym.  But this time Maggie and Paul can stay together.

Paul Rearick, Hurricane Evacuee:  “The choice this time was, if you’re gonna get out, get out now. And after going through Katrina, we heeded the warning and got out. “

(Church volunteer to the children) “Did you get on an airplane?”

Families have been told it may be a week before they can return home. Until then volunteers are doing what they can to make their guests comfortable and keep their minds off the stress everyone is feeling.

Kathryn Spry,  Member, Hillcrest United Methodist Church: “I guess I worry about the children the most. I really want them to feel welcome here.”  

Paul Rearick, Hurricane Evacuee:  “These people have welcomed us, sheltered us.  They’ve opened their hearts.  They’ve given the one thing that’s more precious than any of that. They’ve given their time. That’s the one thing we all only have a finite amount. “

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The evacuees staying at Hillcrest were so touched by what people did for them that they decided to help their hosts…so they’ve been mopping floors, stacking chairs, and doing other chores.  Volunteers from the church drove the visitors to discount stores and medical appointments.

For more information about efforts to help with hurricane recovery, contact the United Methodist Committee on Relief at 800-918-3100.

*Read more about how a Nashville church helped hurricane evacuees