JWR Helps Hurricane
Katrina Victims
September 28, 2005
As many of you may have heard, JWR prepared its Training Center to receive hurricane evacuees.  Three classrooms on the second floor were ready to be converted into private bedrooms for our neighbors from Mississippi and Louisiana.  A large refrigerator, stoves, dishwasher and a washer and dryer were installed in preparation to serve anyone in need.  Ten thankful families checked out our facilities but decided for one reason or another it wouldn't fit their needs.  But the story doesn't end there.  

Yolanda Johnson and her family from New Orleans lost everything they owned during hurricane Katrina's wrath. Yolanda's extended family of 15 first drove to her grandmother's home in Boligee, Alabama after the flooding left them homeless.  When Yolanda's mother became homesick for Louisiana, she convinced the family to travel to a shelter in Baton Rouge.  "We were miserable the four days we spent in Baton Rouge," says Yolanda.  "There were long lines everywhere for everything," she continues.  "You even had to stand in line on the outside of Wal-Mart just for the chance to shop.  We decided we would start our lives over in Tuscaloosa." Yolanda and her sister, Latasha, along with six small children visited the Training Center several weeks ago.  They decided with so many young children (from three families), the Training Center, with it's hard floors, stairs and open spaces, would make it difficult to keep up with the toddlers.  Two weeks later, Yolanda called the Training Center to see if there was anyway JWR could help them.  Queen-sized beds, frames, pillows, bed sheets and various other household items had been purchased by JWR in anticipation of families living at the Training Center.  These items were donated to Yolanda, Latasha and their brother Travis and their children.  Yolanda, who has a masters in social work and purchased a home in Northport.  Latasha is in the nursing field and purchased a home in Tuscaloosa.  Travis will be living with one of his sisters and hopes to land a job soon. "Today is my 32nd birthday," said Yolanda as she helped load her car with household items. "I am so excited, I can't wait until my sister sees all of this.  I am so grateful and blessed.  I can't thank Jim Walter Resources enough for what they have done for all of our families.  I know all of you will be blessed for what you have done."

Yolanda Johnson of New Orleans stands in front of new bedding JWR donated to her and three families.  She also received kitchen ware, lamps and other household items for 15 extended family members.  Shown with Yolanda is Rev. Blackburn of Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church in Fosters.  He gave his time and truck to deliver the donated items to her new home in Northport.
 
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THANKS JWR EMPLOYEES! Gina Kelly of the Training Center helps Craig Young, Executive Director of the West Alabama Food Bank, load donations from JWR employees and Brookwood High School. The total weight of the food donated was 2,229 pounds.  In addition, $320.00 in cash was donated by BHS students and JWR employees.