*ImpleMentaTioN* ~ bLoG 9
1326 words by meghanbias
I am actually happier and more excited about the success of my project thus far than I thought! I feel that it is actually going very well. So, far I have participated in two park clean up days as a part of the NORD Youth Recreation Committee: Playground Partnership. The first one was the park clean up day in conjunction with the October 29th Saints game against the Baltimore Ravens. The park clean up day was held of the day before, Saturday the 28th. At Goretti Playground in New Orleans East. Forty Five Ravens fans took a bus from their hotel and showed up to help clean up, which I thought was awesome. When I first read about the project I didn’t actually think that many (if any) of the opposing teams fans would show up, especially on a Saturday morning to help clean a park, but I was definitely proved wrong with this one. They were so enthusiastic and excited to be doing their part in rebuilding even a small part of New Orleans. They commented that while on their way to the park, the whole bus got silent when they got into the area of the devastation from Katrina. I remember the first time I rode around in New Orleans East I had the same reaction…speechless.
Cleaning up that park wasn’t too bad, mainly picking up branches and sweeping, etc. But it was almost nothing compared to the most recent park clean up day I participated in on November 18 at Ponchartrain Park, which is also in New Orleans east. This park was one of the most damaged by Katrina because it is right near Lake Pontchartrain. To give you an idea of the destruction, if remember how badly SUNO (Southern University of New Orleans) was damaged, then this park is very near to that area. This park clean up day was in conjunction with the Saints game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday November 19th. When my dad and I got there, there was about 12 UNO students there, some NORD (New Orleans Recreational Department) workers, two of my dad’s coworkers, and a handful of other random people. Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell was also there along with a few other women because the park is in her district. Unfortunately we did not have any Bengals fans… The park includes a golf course, which was too big to clean all in one day so our main focus was the playground and a storage building, which is what I helped clean up. I was not expecting to be gutting out a building that hadn’t been cleaned since Katrina, but that’s pretty much was life was like that day. But, I can say that it was an experience that I was in a way eager to participate in just to see what it was like and to feel like I had a part in doing something to clean up New Orleans. In a nutshell, we took EVERYTHING out of the storage building except the walls. The storage building had several rooms, and one containing rotted tables and chairs, trophies, books, and football and baseball jerseys and equipment that looked practically new. There was also a concession stand that was part of the building, which was probably the filthiest and rank smelling part of the job. We scooped up molded food, wet papers and boxes, and other random garbage that was stuck to the floor with shovels and put what we could into trash bags. I’m not gong to lie, it was a lot of work and I must say that I haven’t done this much manual labor in a while. But, it was most definitely worth it. It really gave me a feeling of accomplishment knowing that I helped even in a small way in the rebuilding of New Orleans.
Afterwards I was talking to Broderick Green, Director or Special Projects in the office of councilmember Arnie Fielkow, about some of the past park clean up days and future ones. He said that in the month of December, the playground partnership will focus on different projects around the city, then after the first on the year focus of getting bigger corporate sponsors.
I have included a few pictures of the Ponchartrain Park clean up, one of my dad, me, and his two coworkers standing in front of a piece of the pile of trash we took out of the storage building one of me picking up a helmet while cleaning out the concession stand, and the other of my dad’s coworker and I carrying out a box of baseball trophies.
In regards to the Save America’s WETLAND campaign, I received 5 postcards in the mail and have mailed them out to some of my family members and friends. I never received the Wetlands bracelets but am still trying to get some, possibly from the WETLAND office in New Orleans.
The Deuteronomistic historian would support a king who had total devotion to God and would not put up with the worship of other gods or idols. The deuteronoistic historian (Dtr) also placed high importance of keeping Yahweh’s covenant. Although President Bush does present himself as a Christian, God-fearing, and faith filled man, he does not impose his beliefs on others or prohibit the worship of other gods by others. In a Washington Times article Bush said that he doesn’t ” ‘see how you can be president without a relationship with the Lord,’ but that he is always mindful to protect the right of others to worship or not worship ” (http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20050111-101004-3771r.htm ).Bush also openly endorses stem cell research and is not completely against abortion. Because of these qualities, I do not think that the Deuteronomistic Historian would be fully supportive of President Bush or consider him an exceptional ruler. But, the Dtr would approve of Bush’s faith and devotion to God.
The word prophet in Hebrew is nabi, meaning one who is called. According to The Bible for Dummies, in the Hebrew Bible, emphasis on the prophet’s role as a messenger through which God is working is not so much as the emphasis on his or her status as one called on and chosen by God. Prophets came from varied backgrounds; poor to rich, men and women, and so on. The work of the prophets relates to my project because they were trying to change the world that they lived in. Though, of course my project and the efforts of the biblical prophets are on two different scales. I cannot compare what I am doing to the work of the prophets, because they were chosen by God to do His work, even though sometimes they did not want to be called on. They were sometimes hired by kings to interpret God’s messages and worked to get people to repent and change their behaviors and beliefs. They predicted the future and performed dramatic acts to convey their messages at times. I am only changing the world I live in a minor way compared to the prophets, by helping to get the city of New Orleans rebuilt and cleaned up after the devastation of Katrina. It is not something that God appeared in a vision to me and told me to do or something that is my life’s work, but it does relate to the prophets work, only in a less significant way.
December 6th, 2006 at 12:57 am
Meghan, I really think that this is a cool idea with the opposing teams fans helping you guys clean up the parks. This is definitely what we need more of around the city if we want this great city to get back on its feet. Everyone has to do their part in the clean up because we can not just wait on someone to come clean it up for us we all need to pitch in and roll up our sleeves. From looking at the pictures that you have included with this blog, look like you are really working hard and although I know that it may have sucked then but looking at these pictures should make you proud of yourself to know that you actually contributed to a park being cleaned. If more people in this city had the drive and the dedication that you showed towards this project, New Orleans would definitely be a city above the rest. Great job on your implementation.
December 6th, 2006 at 11:41 pm
Overall, the implementation of your project looks greats. Your are definitely identifying a problem in N.O. and are making a great effort to solve New Orleans poor environmental factors from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. I think it is also awesome at 45 Raven fans helped in our efforts to clean up the park on Sat. 28. They too recognized the need and benefits of your great contributions to the city. Also, I think it is great that your family members are included in your effort of attaining your goal to improve parks in the city of New Orleans. That will encourage other families to contribute to the clean-up of New Orleans as well. I was wondering if you tried to advertise park clean-up to other Xavier students. I know a lot would be interested in helping. At least I definitely would.
December 7th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
I can appreciate your commitment to spread awareness of a problem that is often ignored like global warming. Too often the environment and its preservation are not taken seriously by todays youth which I myself am guilty of. Those living in our generation must take charge and seek out ways to improve environmental issues because we will be the ones having to live amongst the ruins. The project you have taken on is one that may seem small but will have a long lasting effect on the environment and if your petition to the president is considered will greatly affect those living along the golf coast. Keep up the good work.
December 8th, 2006 at 1:24 am
Meghan, I am glad that your project is going so well and that you especially had a great turn out of others making an effort on helping you and your team rebuild New Orleans. It seems like you all came together as a team and made a change in the city. It will take a long time to rebuild New Orleans; however, with diligent workers such as you and the team you have collaborated with it seems like this process will be completed soon. I think you should continue with the good work and maybe you could go to local schools around the community and talk to the students and have them team up with you and your team to help expedite the process. But other than that I believe that your process is coming along well and I wish you all the luck.
December 9th, 2006 at 11:04 am
Hey Meghan, it sounds like your project is going well. It must have been surprising to see opposing fans come out to help along with the clean up. At least I know that someone else is helping along with this project and trying to improve our city. Everyone needs to lend a hand in this project and it sounds like you have teamed up with a good amount of people to help. It is good to see that you are dedicated to this project! Best wishes to you on this project and good luck!
December 9th, 2006 at 11:29 am
Meghan I am proud of you. I think your project has really bloomed into a great benefit and effort. I think your project is very uncommon but yet a serious issue we face in New Orleans today. I feel that your contribution to the community will forever be remembered and admired. I would love to help you in upcoming clean ups in the future. I have been to one of them last semester and it was a feeling like non other. With the support of the fans and other figures in the community I feel that you will be able to definetely change New Orleans. Good job and Good luck with your future endeavors!
December 9th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Most people are not willing to do hard work for free just to help the world. You seem to be very involved and dedicated to your project and have done a lot of work-which is not easy considering that you have other courses. Even though you did not intend on doing so much, you still completed the clean-up objectives which is more than I can say for most other people. When some people volunteer and then they are informed of what they have to do (when it is more work than they assumed), they leave early or have an attitude. Good luck with your project.
December 9th, 2006 at 5:12 pm
Hey Megan, it looks like your projects been going really good. I wonder how the park cleanups went. Did you think you would continue doing a project like this? That was real bad to hear about SUNOs park. Its still depressing to drive around New Orleans now, but is good to know that there are people out there like you that want to help improve the condition of New Orleans at this time. I also think that bringing your dad and his coworkers out to help was a good idea. Your getting more people involved in your project and the more people helping the more things can get done. Overall I think your project is going great. It looks like your very dedicated to this project and the more dedication you have the better your project will come out. Continue to do what your doing. Good like and keep up the good work.
December 10th, 2006 at 10:00 pm
I really like your project idea. It’s great that so many other people are interested in cleaning up the city’s parks after the damage done by Katrina. Most people haven’t thought about cleaning the parks up as thier community service project. I think it would be good for you to get the word out about the scheduled park cleanups, so even more people could help out and get the job done quicker.
December 10th, 2006 at 10:02 pm
I really like your project idea. It’s great that so many other people are interested in cleaning up the city’s parks after the damage done by Katrina. Most people haven’t thought about cleaning the parks up as their community service project. I think it would be good for you to get the word out about the scheduled park cleanups, so even more people could help out and get the job done quicker.
December 11th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
Meghan, what you are doing is a great benefit to the city of New Orleans. Your project came along very well, not only did you participate in the clean up, but you also got other people to participate as well. We needed this clean up badly, because after Hurricane Katrina it left our city in devastation, and for you to take the initiative and go above and beyond is great. A lot of citizens don’t even think about doing a clean up let alone taking action, but Meghan you really stepped up and took responsibility. If I’m not mistaken this isn’t even your hometown, which shows how concern you are about your environmment. Good job!
December 12th, 2006 at 12:28 am
Meghan I think that your project is great. Being a student here at Xavier and seeing daily what has happen to this city and doing your part to participate and make this a better place is awesome. I feel that you are making New Orleans a safer place and lending a hand in the rebuilding of the community. Not only are you making the city a better and safer place but allowing people to see that there is hope. You are also setting an example for people not to give up hope.
December 14th, 2006 at 5:49 pm
Hey Megan, your idea to help with New Orleans clean-up is a great idea. So many people think that New Orleans is almost back to its original state, and we both know these people are very mistaken. Basic clean-up is still a need around the city. Perhaps there is way you could get a MAX program started that involves clean-up. This would be a way to keep your idea going long-term. What you have started has the potential to be great, so keep up the good work =)
December 14th, 2006 at 6:57 pm
Meghan, i think its so great of you to actaully get out there and be willing to get dirty to get the job done. People still forget that New Orleans needs a lot of cleaning up and so the focus to clean up the city has died down. It also great that even while you yourself are out there cleaning up you are recruiting other people to assist in the effort. One suggestion that I have for you is that in addition to you working on these big group efforts is to try and find a group that is dedicated to the same goal as you and join to continue your project, but on a more underlying scale. The smaller groups tend to meet more and do more than the one big scale events with lots of people. Keep the progress up!
December 15th, 2006 at 2:01 am
Hey Meghan. I am amazed how well your project is turning out. Cleaning up parks is a great way to help New Orleans get back to normal. Our city has a big problem with littering but cleaning up parks is a great way to start. I am glad you got other people to work along with you because I know it is hard to gather people together to do some volunteer work. Well I am glad your project is turning out so well. I wish you the best of luck!
December 15th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
I cannot believe you participated in this project. Moreover, How did you get Bengal fans to help in New Orleans. This is a very worthwhile project and it is great that you feel that you made a difference. You really portrayed the saying getting down and dirty. I bet it was disgusting. Great job
December 18th, 2006 at 1:44 am
Well it seems as though your project has turned out very well and that youve done a lot so far. It must have been a long day for you cleaning and all but at least you got a lot accomplished. Its great that there were a lot of people that turned out to clean the park. Its good that you cleaned a playground which is beneficial for the children so they can have a clean environment to play in. One park at a time, youre helping the city of New Orleans. Great Job and Happy Holidays!