Suburban churches make third Katrina trip
Nearly 2½ years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, the rebuilding continues.
And for the third straight year, members of local churches will be contributing to the effort. The first year it was two churches; now it's up to nine.
In fact, more than 100 parishioners from the different Lutheran churches -- all but one from the Northwest suburbs -- are heading to the New Orleans area this morning to spend a week rebuilding homes.
"There is such a tremendous job to be done," said Pastor Gerald Schalk of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington.
Before arriving in New Orleans, the group will travel to Baton Rouge, La., with two large trucks full of donations for the area's largest food pantry.
"We have lots and lots of food in those trucks," Schalk said, adding last year the group donated 9,000 pounds of nonperishable items to the food pantry.
In addition to St. Matthew, churches sending members on the trip include Holy Cross in Cary, Immanuel Lutheran in East Dundee, St. John in Algonquin, St. Matthew in Hawthorn Woods, St. Peter in Schaumburg and Immanuel Lutheran and Prince of Peace in Crystal Lake.
A contingent from Holy Cross in Collinsville, Ill., near St. Louis, also will be picked up along the way and will house the entire group overnight on its return trip.
Natalie Sopper, youth director at St. Matthew in Hawthorn Woods, has been on previous mission trips to New Orleans and said it's so fulfilling to be able to help out.
"I am proud to say I tiled a woman's bathroom all by myself," Sopper said of her most recent trip to Louisiana. "It was an amazing experience."
Schalk agreed that being able to help out down there is a great opportunity.
"You are so appreciated down there," Schalk said.
Besides helping out with the rebuilding effort, Schalk said he also thinks by being there they are also lifting the spirits of the residents.
"It helps them realize people still care about their situation," Schalk said.
The group plans to return Jan. 19 to the Chicago area.