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<H1><FONT size=3>Message </FONT></H1>
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<DT>1. <A
href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1413;_ylc=X3oDMTJxZW8xZG9hBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE0MTMEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIwODA4NTQzOQ--"
name=1><FONT color=#1e66ae size=2>1495: Groundbreaking ushers in new beginning
for Mississippi seniors </FONT></A></DT></DL></DIV>
<H4 class=last><FONT size=2>Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:03 pm (PDT)
</FONT></H4>
<DIV class=ygrp-content>Groundbreaking ushers in new beginning for Mississippi
seniors<BR>By Ryan Hyland <BR><BR>During a ceremony hosted by Rotarians from
Mississippi and Illinois <BR>on 12 March, anticipation prevailed for a new
beginning as honored <BR>guests Long Beach Mayor William Skellie, Mississippi
Governor Haley <BR>Barbour, and other state dignitaries broke ground on the
multimillion <BR>dollar center. The event signified a commitment that Rotarians
from <BR>Illinois districts 6440 and 6550 made to help Long Beach rebuild
<BR>after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm destroyed the recreation
<BR>center, fire station, two schools, and thousands of businesses.
<BR><BR>"After the storm, Rotary put Long Beach on the front burner and kept
<BR>us there," says Skellie. "Their work on the senior recreation center
<BR>just shows that Rotary is a go-to organization.<WBR>" <BR><BR>Past district
governors from the Chicago area, Brian Andersen <BR>(District 6450) and Jack
Blane (District 6440), collaborated with <BR>Mississippi Rotary clubs in late
2005, pledging to raise more than <BR>$100,000 for the construction of the new
senior center, which will <BR>double as an emergency shelter. <BR><BR>The Long
Beach Senior Recreation and Community Center is slated for <BR>completion in
December and will house areas for craft making and <BR>meetings, as well as a
cafeteria, two basketball courts, and a gym <BR>for seniors and local residents
alike. It will be a gathering place <BR>and emergency refuge for the Mississippi
communities of Gulfport, <BR>Pass Christian, and Pineville.<BR><BR>"It will be a
place for first responders and a place of last resort <BR>for those who don't
evacuate in time," says Long Beach club member <BR>Bob Kranz. A venue for first
responders was desperately needed when <BR>Hurricane Katrina razed the local
police station, he adds. <BR><BR>More than $3.3 million has been allocated to
the center through <BR>grants and contributions. Chicago-based Mittal Steel
Company donated <BR>$500,000 and will provide construction oversight. Other
groups also <BR>have made contributions, including a $2 million grant from the
South <BR>Mississippi Planning and Development District and a $600,000 grant
<BR>from the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund. Donations also came from Rotary
<BR>clubs across the United States.<BR><BR>"Were it not for the Rotary network,
this project would not have <BR>worked," says Blane. "Our hearts and our money
were dedicated to <BR>this."<BR><BR>The groundbreaking ceremony signaled an
important and symbolic stage <BR>of a new beginning to Long Beach, says Skellie.
He adds that he <BR>expects Rotary will continue to have a long-term impact on
the <BR>community. "I applaud Rotary's dedication to bringing this community
<BR>hope for a new day. We're sincerely grateful."<BR><BR>Source: Rotary
International News <BR>Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary</DIV></FONT></DIV>
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