| Hurricane victims find shelter at Grandview Prairie |
 HOPE
- The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Rick Evans Grandview Prairie
Conservation Education Center recently shifted its focus to survivors of
Hurricane Katrina.Katrina’s evacuees flooded into Arkansas and the staff of the education center came to the rescue of 35 people who have been housed in the facility, according to facility manager Linda Goodner. “These people came to Arkansas with very little and planned to stay just a few days,” Goodner said. “They are in desperate need and are very appreciative of anything we can offer them - a warm bed, food and the comfort of keeping their families together.” Twenty-one members of an extended family left their homes in St. Bernard Parish, Goodner said. “Representatives from the Columbus Baptist Church met them at Grandview last week and gave them $250 so they could do some grocery shopping before moving to Grandview. They have four more family members who will be joining them as soon as they are able to get a bus out of New Orleans.”  Glenda
Kieff said she doesn’t know if or when she will go back to her home; it
depends on what her daughters want to do. Jeff Schlumbrecht says he will
return to Louisiana. “We are doing a lot better since we have a roof
over our head, but I am going home,” he said.Goodner has opened the facilities to the Buras family from Jefferson Parish. Eight of the 14 family members arrived together after staying in a hotel, but Jeanette Buras said her daughter-in-laws said it felt like home the moment they walked in. “I think we need to have some normalcy,” she said. “We were crowded and uncomfortable at the hotel, but we are together.” Members of both families range in ages from 3 months to 62. All of the school-aged children have been enrolled in local schools. The staff at Grandview will purchase groceries, gas and a long-distance calling card. "I believe a Wal-Mart gift card would help tremendously,” Goodner said. AGFC employees are donating items to help these families. To donate, contact Goodner at Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Education Center, 1685 County Road 35 North, Columbus, AR 71831, or call (800) 983-4219. Checks may be sent to Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. Learn more by visiting www.agfc.com. |
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