Johnson State College

February 21-26, 2010

The United Saints wants to thank the Break Away Spring Break Group from Johnson State College in Vermont for all their hard work this week. Johnson State is our first Spring Break group this year and we are looking forward to a busy season. Projects the group worked on included painting, mudding, sheet rocking, and even art projects. Thank you for contributing to the rebuilding efforts of New Orleans!

Since May 2009 United Saints Recovery project has been working hard to transform the home of Ms. Ella Mae into a comfortable and safe living space. Through the dedicated work of volunteers, the home is almost complete. The New Year brought many volunteers and service workers who have made great strides. United Saints has replaced the roof decking and roof, finished installing new windows, and replaced old and dangerous wiring. Within the kitchen and bedroom areas, volunteers contributed by hanging sheetrock, texturing and painting the ceiling, installing paneling, sub-flooring, linoleum, trim, light fixtures, and the kitchen sink, cabinets, and counter.  United Saints will soon be able to move Ms. Ella Mae’s belongings into the rest of the home and allow her to enjoy her newly renovated home. Thank you to volunteers and donors for their continuous efforts and support!

From February 3-10, United Saints Recovery Project volunteers were treated to a week’s worth of dinners and desserts by Chef Jeff Selvig of Peoria, Illinois. Far from taking a typical vacation in New Orleans, Chef Jeff worked full days using two very different sets of tools: a spatula for the kitchen and a hammer to rebuild homes. By bringing attention to our work, Jeff helped United Saints raise nearly $1,000 in Home Depot gift cards.

Everyone at United Saints and in our community would like to thank Chef Jeff for his generous loan of time and culinary skills.

We would also like to thank the individuals at Peoria’s Hotel Pere Marquette and beyond who supported Selvig’s visit with donated food and airfare.

For those who were unable to enjoy Selvig’s cuisine, volunteers emphasize that it was an extreme upgrade over their typical ramen noodle diet. Following hard days of painting and construction, thirty volunteers were delighted to eat delicious, well-balanced meals that included oysters Rockefeller, meatloaf, mac n’ cheese, colorful pastas and salads, bread pudding, and trés leches cake.

Chef Jeff came to serve at United Saints because he wanted to do more than just give money to organizations this year. He explained that “if you want to get somewhere or get anything in life, you have to give in order to receive.”

Long term volunteer Curran Dwyer summed up his gratitude for this giving spirit by calling Chef Jeff “a guy who has an awareness of charity and community service. He’s volunteering for volunteers. Normally, we’re the ones helping out and not getting compensated, but here you have a guy coming down to New Orleans to make us food, and it made my week.”

Jeff Selvig isn’t going to New Orleans to revel in Saints hoopla, wear “Who Dat” T-shirts or talk all things football during Super Bowl weekend.

He’s there to work and feed the volunteers who are rebuilding a city still suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

For one week, at least, a group of 40 volunteers is going to be fed extremely well because Selvig, executive chef at the Hotel Pere Marquette, is in the Crescent City providing dinners for the volunteers with the United Saints Recovery Project.

“It’s unbelievably hard to get any local (chef) to volunteer and do their thing,” said Timothy Gear, operations manager with the United Saints Recovery Project, which helps rebuild about 50 homes a year. “To have someone fly in and be a professional at it is amazing.”

Selvig, referred to by Peorians as “Chef Jeff,” arrived in New Orleans on Wednesday. He’ll leave on Feb. 10. During his stay, he plans to help rebuild houses during the daytime and cook dinners at night.

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Back in Peoria, Selvig is known for giving the locals a taste of New Orleans favorites like crawfish, softshell crab, and Cajun chicken. He attended Chicago’s Washburne Culinary Institute, and he serves up a mix of American classics alongside Continental cuisine at Carnegie 501.

Chef Selvig will also be recruiting volunteers, supplies, and donations of goods and money. If you are interested in supporting this visit, please consider donating now.

Reserve now for Spring Break!!! Spaces are limited and we are filling up fast!

Volunteer with the United Saints Recovery Project! Help Rebuild NOLA!

Who: Groups. small and large wishing to make a difference and volunteer during their Winter/Spring Break.

We also offer HOUSING ONLY options for groups volunteering with non-profits in NOLA.

What: Help rebuild homes in NOLA. Our focus is assisting the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged.

Where: We are centrally located in NOLA near the Garden District, right off the St. Charles streetcar line. We are within walking distance of cafes, restaurants, entertainment and only 3 miles from the French Quarter!

Cost:

• Groups-Flexible Time Frame, $25.00 per person, per night.

Includes: project coordination, housing, and 3 meals Monday-Friday.

• Groups HOUSING ONLY option, flexible time frame, $25.00 per person, per night.

Includes: housing, and 3 meals Monday-Friday.

For volunteer or housing information contact: Volunteer@UnitedSaints.org

We hope our fans and volunteers will help us build the entry with relevant information, references, and links to other appropriate articles within Wikipedia. Updates may include photographs, news coverage, and more.

Building an informative Wikipedia entry not only helps the world of knowledge–it also makes it easier for others to find out who we are, what we do, and how we participate in the recovery efforts in New Orleans.

The United Saints Recovery Project is pleased to announce that our non-profit is one of thirty six that has been selected to participate in  an 12 hour marathon titled, LOUISIANA, MY HEART MY HOME. The marathon will broadcast on on Friday, November 13th from 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.  The Louisiana, My Heart, My Home Marathon  is sponsered by local, public television station WYES in collaboration with the Lousiana Disaster Recovery Foundation .  The United Saints will conduct a 15 minute interview to discuss our organization, our projects, and appeal for donations. To view the complete broadcast schedule please visit: http://www.louisianahelp.org/LouisianaMyHeartMyHomeMarathon.html.

The United Saints is now offering housing for groups volunteering in New Orleans!

For $25 a night you will stay in a newly renovated apartment with a bunk-style sleeping area. There is a private shower and bath in each apartment.

Other amenities include: central location off St. Charles and street car line, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Some restrictions apply. This offer is extended to groups with a minimum 8 people and maximum 50, a $100 refundable security deposit is required, and volunteers must show provide proof they are volunteering with a local organization. No minimum stay is required.

For more information or to reserve, please contact us.

Phone: (504) -895-2922 Ext. 108

Email: Volunteer Coordinator, UnitedSaints@hotmail.com

Website: www.UnitedSaints.org

Volunteers from Montgomery College in Alabama were featured in the school’s newspaper for their rebuilding efforts. Read the article here: MC Students Spend Spring Break in New Orleans to Help Rebuild.