Rebuilding in New Orleans

I expected that it would be excessively hot on the late August day that I’d be working on a home in New Orleans. I’d already imagined it in my mind: alternating time between standing on a ladder and collapsing under a tent to balance my body temperature. Instead, it rained steadily on the day before the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina coming ashore.

This particular Habitat for Humanity project was in the 7th Ward, and focused on building five homes over five days. Many of the volunteers, both Marriott International employees and guests of the hotels, weren’t entirely prepared for the rain—but I didn’t see anyone shirking their duty to chip in and lend a hand. Besides, once your clothes are soaked through, you don’t really notice being wet.

After spending a good part of the day working, we put equipment away and joined Branford Marsalis and a brass band in a second line up the street where the five homes were located. I’ve been in New Orleans nearly 20 times since Katrina, but to see neighbors, volunteers and new home owners join in to celebrate this event made me choke up more than a few times. I would go back and do more in a heartbeat.

I’ve got to admit that I’m humbled by people who take long periods of time to do volunteer work such as this (like Colleen Wilde did in New Orleans), however not everyone is able to dedicate more than a small chunk of their time. It’s one reason why I’m glad to see things like Marriott’s Spirit to Serve program, where hotel guests can arrange to not only enjoy time off in New Orleans, but also volunteer with a number of projects and do some good. Since many volunteer opportunities don’t provide transportation, and not all places are conveniently accessible by public transportation, the program’s added shuttle to and from volunteer sites is a valuable addition.

Here’s to everyone who has gathered to help New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of the Katrina and BP disasters, and those folks who will continue to do so after the five-year anniversary. Even one day of your time makes a difference.

I was in New Orleans as a guest of the New Orleans Marriott, but the opinions in this post are my own.