Katrina survivors visit PeaceWeavers
By MARY PERHAM The Leader

BATH - Two local groups will welcome people still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina for a week of fresh air, sunshine and music.

From Aug. 6-12, some 28 residents of New Orleans' 7th Ward will be the guests of the PeaceWeavers, an educational, nonprofit organization in Bath.

The visit will take place during the PeaceWeavers' "Save the Planet Gathering" and is also sponsored by "Love Knows No Bounds," an Ithaca-based organization dedicated to providing relief to Katrina victims.

The city of New Orleans was especially hard hit two years when the Category 5 hurricane smashed into the Gulf states. Some 1,836 people died in the storm, which left an estimated $81 billion in damages.

According to visit organizer, Beth Brockman Miller, the Ward 7 residents will build new friendships and alliances, eat nourishing and healthful food, learn new skills for rebuilding, and share their experiences.

"For most of the youth on this trip, it will be the first time in their lives they have spent time outside of an urban environment," Miller said. "They will get to sleep under the stars, swim in a clear pond, walk in the woods, enjoy the incredible views of Steuben County from atop Thunder Mountain, and make lots of new friends.

The trip is also sponsored by St. John #5 Faith Church, a social service provider in the 7th Ward.

Church Pastor Bruce Davenport, his wife Deborah Davenport and members of the St. John Gospel Choir will lead a singing workshop and hold a concert August 9. Both are open to the public.

The Davenports also will present a slideshow on life in New Orleans nearly two years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.

The church has strong ties with this region, Miller said.

During the last eight months, the Ithaca agency has made eight emergency relief trips to St. John Church with truckloads of.donated food, clothing, furniture, appliances and hygiene supplies. It has also contributed skilled labor to

help rebuild the ward.

The group is also working with Ithaca Mayor Carolyn K. Peterson to set up a sister city partnership between Ithaca and the 7th Ward.