Volunteers needed to build in Louisiana

To the Editor:

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts (HFHNCM) is sponsoring a group of volunteers to travel to Slidell, La., in mid October to build new Habitat homes to replace those lost in last year's flooding.

Volunteers can join the group on a first come, first served basis. No skill or experience is required except a willingness to help.

A dozen volunteers will travel at their own expense to Slidell, near Lake Pontchartrain, outside New Orleans to help victims of Hurricane Katrina restart their lives.

Most people don't realize that rebuilding is still in the early stages for many people displaced by the disaster. Habitat is building homes and hope with local Habitat affiliates in the Gulf Coast. We invite volunteers from around the country to pitch in and help. We are glad to be a part of changing the course of people's lives.

Those who make the trip will work Monday Friday, Oct. 16-20, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. under the direction of trip leader Emery Gaudet, of Leominster. Gaudet is an experienced carpenter, a licensed construction supervisor and long-time Habitat volunteer and work-party leader. He has led seven trips to build at a medical complex, in Haiti.

Each volunteer will be asked to pay a $100 fee to help with the Slidell Habitat affiliate expenses and shelter maintenance. In addition to their own transportation costs, volunteers will be responsible for their own meals or groceries. Carpooling or vans may be available to make the trip to defray costs, or volunteers can travel to Slidell on their own.

Crews stay at local churches with kitchens and showers available. Most accommodations are air-conditioned and volunteers should expect daytime temperatures to be between 70 to 80 degrees.

Anyone who wants to join the group should contact the HFHNCM office at (978) 348-2749 or hfhncm@verizon. net. The Habitat affiliate in Slidell, La. Is East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity. For general information, go to http://www.esthfh.org. Volunteers are asked not to call East St. Tammany Habitat directly.

If a trip to Louisiana isn't possible, volunteers are also welcomed to work locally with families, help in the office, and fill many other behind-the-scenes needs. For information about applying for a Habitat home or to learn about construction and non-construction volunteer opportunities, visit our Web site at www.ncmhabitat.org or contact the office at hfhncm@verizon.net or (978) 348-2749.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts is a non-profit, Christian ecumenical housing ministry that builds simple, decent houses with people in need. It is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serving 23 towns and cities in north central Massachusetts, including Acton, Ashburnham, Ashby, Ayer, Bolton, Boxboro, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Lunenburg, Leominster, Maynard, Pepperell, Princeton, Shirley, Sterling, Stow, Townsend, and Westminster.

Megan Foley, executive director,

HFHNCM