Notes from the Field

A Diversity of Work on the Last Day.

Friday, May 29, 2009
By Deborah Smith - Chief Pharmacist
Ohio Health Plan - Strongsville

Today we hit a few schedule snags and had to deal with a recalcitrant paint sprayer that seemed intent on showering one and all with Kilz primer! Project status for our last working day: Twelve Oaks is stripped all around and 3 plus sides primed externally, and most interior painting including trim and doors is complete. It is really looking good with its new colors and the new trails completed earlier this week. Many have commented on how they envision years of visitors enjoying this facility. The crew at Woolmarket Elementary continued work on both murals. A third crew went to serve as beach cleaners this morning. Mid afternoon we cleaned up our brushes and put away the branch loppers for the last time this trip and headed to the beach to participate in a Hands On dolphin rescue project along the Biloxi beaches. Groups were dropped off to patrol the beach area for stranded marine life and to pick up trash. The findings were mostly trash, and the amounts and variety per yard were still quite staggering. While we were hoping to accomplish more this week, we have been assured that we far exceeded expectations and future volunteers will pick up where we left off.

The ghost of Katrina has certainly been evident throughout this week, beginning with a diverse group of strangers coming together from all over the country with the only known common denominator being employment by Kaiser Permanente. We have learned over the week to be a micro-community and to live and work in harmony to accomplish a mission of providing aid to those still directly haunted. I have heard many comments over the last couple of days expressing regret that our time together is coming to an end, and an intent to not only try to find a way to come back, but to find ways to volunteer in our home communities. Progress has been significant over the nearly four years of recovery, but poverty and loss of jobs due to storm destruction and loss of infrastructure including destruction of 70 of the lumber industry in central Mississippi will linger for years. Empty pilings and foundations are numerous, real estate signs plentiful, and a search for direction and identity is ongoing.

We are all in the business of healing, and what an opportunity we have had this week to learn how to build an effective team to heal this community in whatever small way we can. Thanks to our employer and our families for supporting us in this effort, and be patient with us as we integrate ourselves back into our "normal" lives. We also send a shout out to Hands On Gulf Coast for their hospitality and leadership as our project managers and procurement agents!

Notes from the Field

A Diversity of Work on the Last Day.

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