Extreme conditions call for an extreme cleanup. Tommy Chatlosh, director of Youth Ministry for the Diocese of Beaumont, is organizing two “Extreme Cleanup” days to remove debris in Oak Island on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.
The response comes at a time when hundreds of Oak Island residents are sleeping in tents, patiently waiting for trees and debris to be removed.
“FEMA has promised trailers for people but can’t do anything until property is cleared,” Chatlosh said. If the group removes all debris in Oak Island on Oct. 25, they will begin cleanup in other locations such as Wallisville, Hankamer and Smith Point on Nov. 1.
On Sept. 13 Hurricane Ike brought catastrophic damage to Oak Island, destroying 95 percent of all homes, forcing families to sleep outside in tents until help arrives.
Volunteers will primarily remove debris from yards, cut up trees and help those whose homes are damaged.
“Most of them don’t have the capacity to do that work because their equipment was damaged or lost in the storm,” Chatlosh said. Oak Island also has a high elderly population who cannot handle intense physical labor.
Beaumont volunteer Julie Nguyen brought the situation to Chatlosh’s attention. After seeing the work of Father Khanh Ho, pastor of St. Louis Church in Winnie, Nguyen got the word out.
“These people didn’t even have any tents” Nguyen said. “Father Khanh got tents for families in Oak Island.”
Even with parishioners cooking for the residents once a week, vital needs still have not been met.
“A lot of them still don’t have (running) water,” Nguyen said.
Individual and group volunteers can register by contacting the Office of Youth Ministry at (409) 835-3972. Work crews will be 10-12 volunteers, with two adults per every 8-10 teens. People who can handle chainsaws are encouraged to help. Trailers, lowboys and tractors would also benefit the group.
The event is sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont. For information on where to donate cash, supplies and food items contact the Office of Youth Ministry.
