OUR RESULTS - 12/19/2005
When the dreams come true in living color - Endeavor Elementary School (Orlando, FL) and Katrina's Angels send art supplies to Belle Chasse Primary School in Louisiana
During the Winter Break of 2005, a dream became a reality for students at the Belle Chasse Primary School in Katrina-stricken Louisiana. Who would ever forget the shock waves, which struck in our hearts as Hurricane Katrina unleashed destruction upon the Gulf Coast region, causing levees to break, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of residents? The world watched helplessly, barely able to take it in. Then came the aftermath and amazing goodwill, which poured in from many ordinary people who were moved by these events and wanted to lessen the distress of the survivors.
Touched by this upheaval and determined to help in some way, Ms. Anna Gallagher, a volunteer with Katrina's Angels, and an art teacher at Endeavor Elementary School in Orlando, Florida became most concerned about the emotional void created by the catastrophe and concerned about the incapacity for art to continue as a vital subject. With a deep love for her work and for the emotional well being of children in general, Ms. Gallagher knew the power of creativity to soothe the overwhelmed children.
With the Guidance Counselor's suggestion of raising funds through the Student Council, Ms. Gallagher set out to put her belief into practice. First, she approached her Principal, who, without reservation, sanctioned the fundraising plans in order to cover the expenses of the trip. The students rallied to the cause with sales of lollipops, raising some five hundred dollars. In the meantime, donations were solicited from several organizations, all of which responded generously. Together, with donations from Endeavor Elementary, a "harvest" so to speak, supplies were gathered, ranging from crayons, markers, and chalk to construction paper, paint and brushes. Two hundred seventy pre-assembled art kits donated by a local business to her school, chock full of the above-mentioned items, were handed over to the teacher at Belle Chasse Primary School in Port Sulphur, Louisiana, approximately forty-five miles south of New Orleans.
Ms. Gallagher's good friend and neighbor, Lynn, graciously underwrote the entire cost of the hotel stay for two nights, accompanying Anna all the way to Louisiana and back! Her generous contribution allowed Katrina's Angels to add half of the five hundred dollars raised by Endeavor Elementary's Student Council to do more good work for Katrina's survivors. Furthermore, Lynn cheerfully shared the driving and great conversation for the fifteen hundred mile trip. God was with them every second of their journey.
Tears of appreciation for both the giver and receiver were shed as this small gesture brought light and hope to the disaster.
Photographs
 Anna Gallagher arrives at Belle Chasse Primary School in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. |
 Sign on the side of the trailer acknowledging Endeavor Elementary School and Katrina's Angels. |
 Devastation at Belle Chasse Primary School in Port Sulphur, Louisiana |
 A devastated classroom at Belle Chasse Primary School in Port Sulphur, Louisiana |
 A house landed on a van in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. |
 One of many homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. |