New Orleans Rugby Recovery Effort 2007

Although it has been over a year since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the surrounding area are still in great need of assistance in the clean up effort and rebuilding of homes. The United States Women’s Rugby Foundation is coordinating a volunteer effort to lend a helping hand with this important endeavor.

The New Orleans Rugby Recovery Effort is a volunteer opportunity to spend two days working side by side with other volunteers to help clean up and rebuild homes in the New Orleans area. We will be organizing volunteers for the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity and will assist on one or more of their ongoing projects. Projects will include both the construction of new homes and repair of surviving homes. We have selected the dates of this volunteer effort to coincide with the renewal of the Mardi Gras Women’s Rugby Tournament.

Day 1
After a day of snow storms, cancelled flights and delays SOME of us made it to Camp Hope. We lost our fearless leader Mary Holmes who is trapped somewhere in the Northeast. Camp Hope was formally a school that has been transformed into housing for the volunteers. There was very little heat for the cold nights but that didn’t put a damper on the spirit of the volunteers.

Day 2 - The first day of work with a Habitat for Humanity

After a 5:45am breakfast, the crew begins to arrive at the work site for check-in.

This area is called Musician's Village. Many new homes have been finished by Habitat for Humanity.

Many still need work.

The Rugby Group was split into two teams. Kathy helps put up fences at one of the work sites.

MJ takes a jackhammer to the rocky ground at the other site.

Deck detail.

Beth, Danita, and Lisa wrestle the chain link!

The crew boards up a finished home.

One Crew poses with their Habitat for Humanity Leader Ronnie.

After the day's work, we walk around the neighborhood.

back to USWRF Home