Needham Katrina Volunteers

Starting in early September we gathered a group of local volunteers to provide a targeted effort to help evacuees who were forced to leave their homes because of Hurricane Katrina. We focused on people who might come to our area and found out about 3 families who had come to Needham. While one family went quickly back down south, we provided assistance to the other two families; a young couple with a baby and an elderly couple.

Thanks to our volunteers' efforts, we provided both families with brimming welcome baskets that included phone cards, stamps, maps of the area and phone books, bus and train tickets and schedules, grocery and restaurant certificates, toiletries, hair salon gift certificates and much more.

Working with the two families we found out their needs and were able to fill many of them, whether it was getting a warm coat, companionship, interview clothes, or music to replace a precious lost collection.

Thank you to all the enthusiastic volunteers and generous groups and companies who have gathered together in this tremendous effort. We had more than 30 individuals and 17 organizations involved. We are pleased to have provided a warm welcome to these two families.

Best Wishes,
— Kathleen Rowe

Current Needs:

Among the things we are gathering:

For the following items, please call Jane Donovan at 781-444-6462.

• Rides to Catholic Mass
• Visitors/people to take elderly couple for walks/fresh air
• Transportation
• Books on tape
• Music—jazz/Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Big Bands

Decorative Items. Please call Kathleen Rowe at 781-444-4124.

• Framed prints
• Knick knacks or dried flowers

Thank you for all of your donations!