Perez Family at the Smith Elementary playground dedication
Left to Right: Mark, Mary, Delaney, Teddy, Billy and Debbie.


St. Bernard Parish lost everything in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina.  27,000 homes all destroyed. 67,000 people all displaced. We have been blessed  to build hope here four times now.  But our job is not done. There are two new schools opening up in the Fall of 2010. We would like to finish what has been started. The kids need these playgrounds. A place where they can be kids.  

Trip dates: July 31-August 7 -

*Click to View Photos*

Update 5
"We all saw your group show up with those kids and thought there was no way these people will be able to build a playground!" This was told to one of our volunteers at the Chalmette Elementary School site by some of the construction contractors there. They continued... "But you guys did it, and it looks great!!" They were amazed that a group of volunteers made up mostly of youth could pull it off. But now they are believers and they said they were going to take up a collection for a donation to the work we do! What a testimony this team is having with the resilient people of St. Bernard's Parrish.

Both playgrounds were completed today under the hot, Louisiana sun - and they look great! The team was exhausted by the time we headed back to the church to clean up and have dinner, but they were so filled with a sense of accomplishment you wouldn't have noticed.

After a delicious dinner of Jambalaya, provided by some of the area's best home chefs, the team spent time sharing some thoughts and impressions from this week before enjoying another evening of worship. Thanks to Mark and Nick for leading us this week in worship.

Tomorrow morning is the Dedication Service. There will probably be a large group of School Board Members, Faculty and other staff members attending. But with school not open yet we are not sure if many kids will be there. We hope so, so we can see their excitement and hear their sounds of laughter and joy when they see their new playground! .

For the team in New Orleans,
Mike Young

Update 4
We got an early start today in order to finish up the necessary details that would allow us to pour the concrete this morning. After a quick team photo we headed to our respective sites and went to work. After wrestling with the slides and lining up poles, both playgrounds were concreted and the teams headed back to the church we are staying at to get ready for an afternoon and evening of site seeing and dinner at a KIDS' favorite - Mulate's near the riverfront in New Orleans. Nick and Mark lead us in some wonderful worship songs and then we loaded up the vehicles and were on our way.

We began by driving through the lower 9th Ward, the area most devistated by Katrina. There have been many changes in the 6 years since that area was completely destroyed but there were many reminders of what used to be there. After that, it was onward to the French Quarter and some shopping before dinner. Some of the volunteers decided to see the sites on foot, while a few others decided the horse and buggy ride was the way to go.

The Cajun food restaurant had something for everyone's taste and the dancing brought smiles all around. Even those students who originally said they would not dance found themselves dancing and laughing - enjoying a well deserved evening of fun, food and fellowship.

Tomorrow is our final day of construction - the timber perimeters need to be installed and the mulch needs to be spread. What a great week it has been! Thanks again for the opportunity to serve.

For the team in New Orleans,
Mike Young Update 3
What does Chubby Checker (remember the song "The Twist") have in common with Kids Around The World? Give up? Our team of fantastic volunteers here in New Orleans found out today!

Last night I prayed God would send clouds today to block the hot sun and give us some relief from this record heat. He granted us that request, much to our pleasure and appreciation! Both teams worked overtime taking advantage of the cloudy "break", trying to complete their respective playgrounds in time for tomorrow's concrete delivery. The Arabi team is just about ready for the 8:00 a.m. concrete delivery, and the Chalmette team (with some help from the "Barrington Boys") will also be ready for their delivery at 10:00 a.m.

Be sure to ask some of the team members how much fun they had assembling components like the wilder slides, rock walls, and spider climbers. It's hard to believe that they can have so much fun while working so hard! Speaking of fun, have you figured out the answer to the Chubby Checker question?

When the team arrived at the Administration Building for lunch today, they were asked by the hostess if they knew who Chubby Checker is? Those of us over 40 knew, but most of the others had no clue. As we walked into the cafeteria, there was Chubby Checker eating lunch among the St. Bernard School Admin. Staff! His assistant asked us if we would all stand up and dance the twist for him if they played the song. Of course we were happy to oblige! During lunch the song began and we entertained the crowd with our unique versions of the Twist. Younger members realized they did indeed know Chubby and the Twist. Our dancing brought smiles and laughter to the room and a thumbs-up from Chubby! After everyone had a photo opportunity with him we headed back to the playground sites, humming a new tune - if you know what I mean.

I guess we never know what surprises await those who come on a KIDS trip. Maybe you should check it out for yourself sometime. We'd love to have you. Thanks again for all your support and prayers. We are on the downhill side now with finishing the final details of concrete, timbers and 200 cubic yards of mulch.

Have a blessed day and thanks for checking in with us.

For the team in New Orleans,
Mike Young

Update 2
What a GREAT team of hard-working folks! Facing seemingly overwhelming odds of heat, obstacles, and all the trials of doing hard laborious work that they are not normally accustomed to, they continued to set a pace that marvels even the most experienced playground installers!! They didn't let anything dishearten them from their appointed duties! (And that was just the ladies!) But the men refused to be outdone, and held their own nicely!

Seriously, this team has received many compliments from the local tradesmen and officials at the schools who are trying to get both schools finished in time for next Monday's opening day of school. They are shocked to hear that these people, most of them students, are volunteering and working so hard under these conditions. Today both sites took big steps toward completing the installation of their respective playgrounds. With a similar effort tomorrow, both playgrounds should be assembled in time for Wed. morning's concrete delivery.

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the St. Bernard's Parrish School Admin. Office. I am not sure the staff members will ever be the same after 44 very dirty folks joined them for lunch in their nice, air-conditioned cafeteria. They were all so appreciative of the efforts our team is making for their children. During the afternoon, the Arabi team was able to partake in a much needed ice cream treat when the neighborhood vendor came rolling by! (Maybe he will find his way to the Chalmette site tomorrow?)

Tonight we were blessed by a group of local church members who brought us a tasty dinner and the largest pieces of brownies ever!! We are being well taken care of for sure. We hope you enjoy the photos, and be sure to check out our Facebook page with photos being updated throughout the day. Thanks for the privilege of serving for you.

On behalf of the team in New Orleans,
Mike Young

Update 1
The team arrived excited and looking forward to a great week of hard work and fun, bringing 2 more new playgrounds to the kids in the New Orleans area, part of the Katrina relief work. The large number of youth on this team brought an extra level of energy - a level that will come in handy working under the hot sun and high temperatures that we are encountering this week.

Each member of the team was assigned to one of the two sites, Arabi Elem. Or Chalmette Elem., and after breakfast we headed over to our respective schools, and immediately went to work. We paced ourselves and took several breaks, either in air-conditioned vans, or in a room at the school. We are pretty sure we set a record for water consumption in a day, and by the time we headed back to the church to clean up, the majority of the holes were dug at both sites.

The headed to the French Quarter for dinner and the team had fun discovering some local flavor (both in what they ate and what they saw!) It was a great way to close out day 1 in New Orleans. Thank you all for your support and prayers for the team. We couldn't do this without you.

Mike Young - for the team in New Orleans.

Click here to learn more about For Kids of Katrina and the Perez family.

For Kids of Katrina,
Mark & Debbie Perez



New Orleans 2010 Site #1



New Orleans 2010 Site #2


Click here to donate online.


Donating By Mail
If you prefer to mail your donation please send to the address below and designate your gift to Kids of Katrina.

Kids Around the World
2424 Charles Street
Rockford, IL 61108

Questions?
Please call Jeff at the KIDS office at 815.229.8731




Joseph Davies Elementary School Playground Team
New Orleans, August 2009