More than a year after the devastation that emerged from Hurricane Katrina, cleanup efforts continue in the hardest-hit areas along the Gulf Coast as area residents struggle to rebuild their lives. Recognizing the need for ongoing support, a group of Rhino/WMG employees will be traveling to volunteer with the non-profit Hands On Network in New Orleans this November, spending their holiday working to bring relief to the still-reeling Crescent City.
Inspired by Rhino International Art Production Manager Amanda Smith's own self-arranged Thanksgiving 2005 trip to volunteer with Hands On in Biloxi, Mississippi, just months after Katrina, Rhino employees are spearheading a group of 20 that includes WMG employees from Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta offices who feel personally compelled to pitch in. This follows on the heels of a second trip to Biloxi in April 2006 that Smith organized along with seven other Rhino associates who felt as touched by the losses as she had been.
“Once I shared the story of my volunteer experience with my coworkers, all of them wanted to get involved in a bigger way,” says Smith, who originally hails from Mobile, Alabama just an hour away from Biloxi.
As word of mouth about the trip continued to grow within WMG, the number of employees who wanted to volunteer this time more than doubled. The group raised funds to cover their airfares by such means as bake sales, a brick-by-brick donor board, and contributions from family and friends through email fundraising pitches.
“Over the last year, we've woken up to the fact that there are still a lot of people that are in desperate need of help not just in New Orleans, but throughout the Gulf Coast region,” says James O'Toole, a repeat Rhino volunteer. “We were able to witness that desperation and help to rebuild in Biloxi last April thanks to the overwhelming financial support we received. Now we're hoping to bring more people and make a bigger impact in New Orleans.”
Hands On projects in New Orleans will include gutting, securing, and sanitizing buildings, dead tree and debris removal, social outreach efforts that include distribution of needed supplies, playground construction to ensure that children have access to safe outdoor space, and even humane society support for stray/abandoned animals. Volunteers are lodged in communal housing provided by Hands On and help prepare meals for the group in between restoration efforts.
Rhino Entertainment, a Burbank-based pop culture entertainment company, “has a long history of supporting volunteerism among its employees,” Smith says. To encourage community service, Rhino allows employees to earn extra vacation time by volunteering. “Rhino really makes it simple for employees to give their time,” she explains. “It's nice to work for a company that supports giving back to the community in both words and deeds.”
Check out the WMG Katrina Clean Up Team blog!
wmgkatrinateam.blogspot.com/
Learn more about HANDS ON NETWORK:
www.handsonnetwork.org/katrina-anniversary
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