Shower Trailer a Hit Among Biloxi, Miss. Volunteers
Mar. 9, 2006 - With colleges and universities around the country on spring break, many students are using their free time to volunteer in the cleanup efforts along the Gulf Coast. One of these volunteers sent a special email to the OGT offices, reproduced here with permission:
My name is Josh Mandell, I am a sophomore at Indiana University South Bend, and about 50 of us spent our spring break in Biloxi helping with the clean up and the rebuilding efforts. I would like to give you 4 thanks: the first is for the fridges that helped keep us well fed, and the next three are for the three best showers I’ve had in a very long time. Keep up the good work!
Jan. 3, 2006 - Since Hurricane Katrina brought her devastation to the Biloxi, Mississippi area, hundreds of volunteers have been working nonstop in the reconstruction effort. During a recent trip to Mississippi, it came to the attention of Orphan Grain Train coordinator Bernie Wrede that the few shower tents available in Biloxi were unable to support so many people.
With funding from Lutheran-Episcopal Disaster Relief of Mississippi, Orphan Grain Train worked to convert a refrigerated semi trailer into a 10-stall shower trailer with all the comforts of home, including sinks, mirrors, and even a washer and dryer. When the value of donated time and materials is included, the shower project totals nearly $25,000.
Photo by Bernie Wrede
Between Dec. 19 and 22, over twenty volunteers from across Northeast Nebraska came together to build the trailer, with a total of 300 man-hours going into the project. It was completed and shipped to Biloxi in time for Christmas. Photos by Vern Steinman, Jr.
The volunteers in Biloxi were ecstatic upon receiving the showers, and requested another shower trailer as well as a bathroom trailer. Plans for the additional trailers are currently underway.
Jeremy Hansen and Dave Fleer of Pierce, Neb. work to finish the front of the shower trailer.
Electrician John Jenkins of Pierce works on mounting and wiring the lighting.
Jerald Wachter of Pierce, Neb. and Marty Werner of Tilden, Neb. install electrical wiring.
Delwin Herbolsheimer and Jerald Wachter secure laminate to a shower wall.
Robin Fleer of Hoskins Neb. along with Dave Fleer secure drains in the common area sinks.