The devastation and destruction left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina
this past August is something that will be hard to forget. The citizens of
New Orleans, Biloxi and other towns along the Gulf Coast will live with the
reminders of the disaster for many years to come. But Greenbush Logistics,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Inc., has
teamed up with the City of Abbeville to reach out a helping hand.
"When I saw those images on TV after Katrina came through, I just couldn't
fathom the loss," said Greenbush Logistics Vice President of Logistics Kevin
Savoy. "And then you add to it Hurricane Rita coming through right behind
Katrina, it was like a one-two punch."
After having some conversations with Bob White, the general manager at Great
Southern Wood's treating plant in Mobile, about how the company could get
involved in the relief effort, Savoy got in touch with Paul Dufrene. The
owner of Dufrene Building Materials in Cut Off, Louisiana, Dufrene is also
in charge of recovery efforts for Jefferson Parish.
"After talking with Paul, we decided to pull together some clothes for the
citizens of that area," said Savoy. "I called our friends at AAA Cooper in
Dothan, and they were more than willing to donate a trailer for us to ship
the clothes in. With Christmas right around the corner, I know these
clothes will really be appreciated. I think they'll make someone's
Christmas a little brighter this year."
The shipment of clothes, collected and loaded by the City of Abbeville, will
arrive in the small town of Grand Isle, Louisiana, in time for a celebration
with the governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco.
Grand Isle is a small fishing village located 45 miles south of New Orleans
with a population of approximately 1,500. With tourism serving as a major
source of income for the community, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had a huge
impact on the city's economy.
"For a town that is roughly the same size as Abbeville, the economic impact
of these storms is huge," said Mayor Rhett Taylor. "It will be a while
before they get their feet back under them again financially. I'm really
proud to have the City of Abbeville's name associated with a project like
this."
"The spirit of the Christmas is about giving," concluded Savoy. "This is
certainly one of those occasions that proves it is better to give than to
receive."