Katrina memories turn into action

Hurricane Katrina may be one of the first memories of some residents of New Orleans, and those children, now teenagers, are paying forward the love and care their city received following the devastating storm.
Tim Levert, pastor at Vineyard Church of New Orleans, said, “This generation, they want to help others. They were kids when Katrina hit, and they remember people coming here to help. They thought it would be great to help others.”
This summer, Levert and several other adults will supervise and assist a group of more than 100 teenagers as they perform odd jobs that senior citizens in Eunice may need done around their homes. This will be the third summer the group, Student Life at The Vineyard Church of New Orleans, has done such work, and the two previous summer trips were to Grand Isle. The entourage will be in town July 19 to 23 and will bunk at the Acadian Baptist Center for the trip.
Levert grew up in Baton Rouge and attended seminary in New Orleans. As a pastor, he has worked with students for 20 years. Levert said he also did volunteer work in Eunice as a teenager with his youth pastor, and that is why he chose Eunice as this year’s project location.
“We also stayed at the ABC,” he added.
While in town, the group hopes to assist people with whatever odd jobs senior citizens may need done around their homes including building or repairing wheelchair ramps, fencing, decks and porches. The group can also paint the inside and outside of homes and do lawn care and the planting and tending to gardens. Each team — one or two adults and a handful of teenagers — will have its own transportation, tools and funds.
“We handle all logistics and communication with families and individuals,” Levert said. “We are only looking for folks in need.”
He said, “We are open to doing whatever we can, we just need help identifying legitimate projects.”
Those in need or those who know of a senior citizen in need of minor repairs at their home can contact Levert at 504-265-2882 or at tlevert@gmail.com to make arrangements for work. Levert said he plans to visit the area in April and confirm the acceptance of the repairs by mid-May. 
“We were created to love our neighbors and help each other,” Levert said. “These kids are raising funds and spending their own money to do this. God made us to be kind, loving and helpful people.”