Hurricane Program for RTA

The Madison County Retired School Personnel heard Jo Daniel discuss her two trips to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding efforts. She and her husband Jon go as a church-sponsored group. They will be returning April 6-12 and she invited anyone to go and help out. They drive down and work a full week. The work entails stripping the houses to their studs, inserting insulation and sheet rock, painting, ect. The 2005 hurricane’s damage was due mainly to the horrendous tidal surges, with 85% of New Orleans underwater, some areas for 43 days. Over 1,800 people died from this storm, 1,500 in New Orleans alone. Jo praised all the relief efforts, particularly Habitat for Humanity, which begins 52 new houses per month and relies on volunteer labor. Many church organizations are building or repairing homes in the 4 states that were affected.

Following a delicious lunch, President Jennye Kauffman led the meeting. The annual chili supper, to be held March 14, was the main topic of discussion and plans were finalized. Alice Macke, treasurer, collected the monies from ticket sales. A bake sale will be held March 22 at Wal-Mart from 8:30 – 11:00 to raise money for the Building Fund for the construction of a main headquarters in Jefferson City.

The Southeast Missouri Teachers Meeting will be March 14 at Cape Girardeau and Dr. Garland Hamilton and W.R. Singleton will be attending. Ilerea will help with the Necrology Report.

A thank you was read  from the Salvation Army for assisting in raising funds during the Christmas season. Eighty-five percent of what’s collected will remain in Madison County for homeless shelters, transportation services for medical and employment purposes, prescriptions, ect. The other 15% goes to the National Salvation Army Disaster Relief and World Wide Missions.