Hurricane Katrina Clean Up

As the deadline approaches , “A River of Hope” returns to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina clean up

Our “River of Hope” volunteers returned to New Orleans in early August to continue to assist with the clean up and rebuilding efforts in the Ninth Ward, east
New Orleans, and Saint Bernard’s Parish. This was the organization’s fifth trip to the region.

There was a particular sense of urgency with this trip in that the city of New Orleans had set a deadline of the end of August, one year after the hurricane, for homeowners to make substantial efforts towards rebuilding their homes. If they failed to do so, their homes and properties would be appropriated by the city. Our efforts saved a number of families’ homes from being taken.

Before we left, we conducted a number of fund raising efforts, including a Golf Tournament, a Yard Sale, a Dinner and Silent Auction, and a 5K Fun Run. Through these and other efforts, we were able to raise enough money and donated supplies to fill a semi-truck with sheet rock, tools and other building supplies and materials.
While in New Orleans, we gutted several homes so that additional clean up and repair work can begin. For a third time, we were joined by general contractors, plumbers, and electricians who volunteered there expertise. We are excited to be very close to finishing the re-building one home into which the homeowners will be able to return. There are four other homes that we are committed to re-building, which are currently in various stages of construction.

We plan to return to New Orleans in November, to continue to work to support
the people of New Orleans through re-building efforts.

We want to thank all of the individuals and businesses who have supported and contributed to this cause and would encourage others to do the same. In order to donate, please contact Jenny Schraut, 612-432-5915, or e-mail her at .

All tax deductible donations should be made to the:

Zenith Services, Incorporated Disaster Relief Fund

44 North 28th Avenue, Suite A

St. Cloud, Minnesota 56303

“River of Hope” Project
Participants – August 2006

Ann Anderson, Jay Anderson, Robert Ballinger, Emily Bastyr, Rich Berentson, Dean Blevins, Ryan Bose, Rebecca Bowers, Todd Bowers, Judy Breyfogle, Steve Brink, Alicia Corbett, Janis Federer, Gina Guggisberg, Lyndsay Hage, Madeleine Hage, Marya Hage, Stephen Hage, Gregory Hinrichs, Kathy Holtz, Pastor Warren Jones, Aya Koné, Kirstin Koné, Sayf Koné, Lori Kurtz, Steve Kurtz, Annie Logan, Kenneth Lom, Tammy Maschler, Jennifer Meixell, Matthew Moore, Hugh Muehlberg, Sarah Olsen, Gary Sauer, Jenny Schraut, Sarah Sexton, John Shavers, Brandi Smith, Sherry Smith, Alexander Thomley, Luke Thomley, Rebecca Thomley, Toni Thulen, Peter Vik, Cassandra Welk, Duane Wilkerson, Garrett Wilkerson, Nicholas Wilson

“River of Hope” Project Sponsors

The following agencies and businesses have generously contributed to our “River of Hope” project, and many have done so several times. In addition, hundreds of individuals have given to our efforts as well. We would like to express our gratitude and deep appreciation to everyone whose donations have made our work in New Orleans possible. Thank you!

ABetter Inspection – Blaine

AC Carlson Appliances – New Hope

Abrams & Smith – Minneapolis

Ace Hardware – Long Prairie

Afton Alps – Hastings

Alan Michael Design – Edina

Alpine Capital LLC

Anderson Engineering

Apperts Food

Artistic Stone, Incorporated – Avon

Berg Bag Company

Bethel University (Social Work Group)

Bird Island United Methodist Church

Blaine Jaycees Club

Bonanza Restaurant

Buca De Beppo – Osseo

Camille’s Sidewalk Café

City of Bird Island

Copeland Buhl Company

Creative Shears

Crystal Kuemper and Quilters

Curves – Crystal

Daisy a Day Floral and Gift – Sartell

Dan Leitner Consulting – Blaine

Davanni’s Pizza – Waite Park

Day Distributing Company – Maple Plain

El Loro Mexican Restaurant – Crystal

Emma’s Restaurant & Lounge

Equinox Creative Production

Family Dentistry – Minneapolis

Five Star Heating & Air

Four Seasons Chiropractic – Plymouth

Fun Factory Day Care

Furniture Clearance Center

Geriton Medical Supply

Gilbert & Sullivan Very Light Opera Company

Grand Rios – Brooklyn Park

Grumpy’s

Harding-Lanstrup Sno Dusters

Hirshfield’s

Hollywood Video – Blaine

House of Pizza – Sartell

House on Crystal Lake

Hunstiger Hillcrest Farms

Indoff – Sauk Rapids

Industrial Metals, Incorporated

Italian Pie Shop – Minneapolis

Jerry O. Parker – Salon Levanté – Minneapolis

Jungle Theater – Minneapolis

Keep In Touch Massage

Kindercare

Lagoon Cinema – Minneapolis

Lily Pad Ceramics

Local Motion – Minneapolis

Long Prairie Food Center

Long Prairie Lumber Yard

Long Prairie Packing Company

Loring Corners – Minneapolis

M & I Bank

Maggiano’s Little Italy – Bloomington

Majors Sports Café

Mahowald Insurance Agency

Mankato Truck Repair

Marco Business Products

Mark VII Distributing – Saint Paul

Minneapolis Floral – Minneapolis

Minnesota Public Radio

Minnesota Sandplay Therapy Group

New Century Partners – San Francisco, California

Nordic Ware

Northern PCS Services

Oakridge Elementary

Office Depot

Old Spaghetti Factory – Minneapolis

Olive Garden – Brooklyn Center

Petersen Motorworks, Incorporated

Piazza’s Italian Ristorante

Po-Knee Toys – Wayzata

Planet Beach

Priscilla Circle of Linden Hills Church

Professional Looks Etc. Salon

Promotion Resource Alliance

Quality Label

Randall Building Supplies

Rick Day Day Distributing Company

Richfield Flowers & Events – Richfield

Robin Lee’s Hallmark – Crystal

Roly Poly Sandwiches – Crystal

Sacred Heart Elementary

Saint Sabrina’s

Salon E!

Salon La Terre

Sherwin Williams

Simon Delivers

Spalon Montage

Spectrum Transportation – Maple Grove

Stems and Vines

Strategic Equip & Supply – Saint Cloud

Styer Transportation – Lakeville

Tech Builders – Fairmont

Salon La Terre – Minneapolis

Sam’s Club – Saint Cloud

Scrapbooks Plus – St. Cloud

Spalon Montage

Spectrum Transportation

Sweet Taste of Italy – Crystal

The Red Rose – Minneapolis

Theisen Building Supplies – Kimball

Time Out Sports Bar

Todaze Hair

Trillium Services – Duluth

Twin City Tile & Marble Company – Saint Paul

Valvoline

Voyager School

Walgreens

Warner Manufacturing Company – Minneapolis

Western Bank – Mounds View

Yellowstone Quilt