Big Jake Update

Everything material can be replaced, may take a lifetime, but at least he and his family have a lifetime! that's great news, please pass on my best wishes.

Hi Folks,

Just got a chance to type a few words. I was given a 3 day paid ferlow (sp) Been living on the second floor of the water plant for the past 14 days. We've got the plant running and we have repaired miles of pipe, it seems truly endless. I was able to get to the house and take some pictures. I try to get them posted sooner or later. I took 7'10" in the house and have lost everything, No problem, I'm well insured. The bolt stayied right where is was parked. and will attempt to salvage it. I suppose I have to have that damn cab DIPPED again! Oh Boy!

The main problem is that there are 40,000+ homes that have been flooded out in our parish alone. That number is solid BTW. If there are any carpenters or roofers in theis group, you will have solid work for the next 3 years.

It will take us about 1 years to get the entire water system back online and about 2 months just to get water as far as Taco.

I'll sign off now and check the BB later tonight after most are asleep.

Here is a link to a yahoo photo album that was set up by the Prinicpal of Chalmette High School during the first day. "CHS Katrina" Album. Look in the left "block" area for the Photo link.

Photo #1 is looking directly at the rear of my house.

Photo #7 is us among many bringing people in to the school that we rescued. I'm in the small boat to the far upper left left (fat light head guy)

Photo #15 is the main intersection by my house.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chalmette_high/

Enjoy
Jake (wet feet) Groby

Glad you're safe. God bless.

Glad your ok pal, did you leave before the water or while it was filling the lounge?
I'm sure your pretty much set, but if there is anything you need. let me know.

Hey Jake --

Just got your e-mail and was very gld to hear you and your family were all right. You still have one modeling book that's safe... it's sitting on my desk right now. I also have a 1/150 Heller "Royal Louis" kit that I would like to send you with my compliments as my contribution to the reestablishment of your modeling collection. I know you won't have much time to model since the work you are doing is so important, but it will be here for you when you want it -- just tell me where to send it once you're back on dry land.

Rusty A.

Jake, you ultility guys are MIRACLE WORKERS!!!!! How on earth you guys are able to get power and water working after that much destruction within a week or two is really amazing. As you mentioned, many of us are going to be working many long days for the next year or longer in order to get things back to rights. Your long hours and sacrifices you have made in order to get life back to as normal as possible for thousands of people are noted by all of us throughout the world.

We are all here for you if you need anything.

Scott

Thanks for the update jake, we were getting a little anxious about you after seeing all those images of flooded houses, and of the survivors. I'm very glad you are safe. Congratulations on your work & take good care dude!

PS: if you want a good satelite image of your area for your Yahoo photo album, go to http://www.digitalglobe.com/images/katrina/new_orleans_chalmette_aug31_2005_dg.jpg ; it's a 4,2Mo image, very neat... you can even count the number of trees or cars!

Hey Jake,

Glad to hear you're ok. Once you get settled, you get me an address and I'll send a care package of model supplies out to you.

In the meantime, if you need anything, you call me or drop me an email.

Jeff

What a relief. I've never met Jake in person, but it feels like we're old friends.

Jake - as things get put back together down there, maybe you can think up some hobby-related things we might be able to do to help. I wonder, for instance, if a small fund to buy models and hobby supplies for kids might be appropriate. I imagine a lot of young hobbyists lost their stuff, and that sort of thing can add to some already severe trauma.

Am glad to hear you and your family are safe Jake and Thanks for doing what you have to help your neighbors

I wonder, for instance, if a small fund to buy models and hobby supplies for kids might be appropriate.

Professor,

Set it up...I was thinking maybe specifically for the FSM forum members first since they're family.

I'll donate (from my personal collection) kits and supplies if we can locate willing recipients.

Jeff

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff Herne I wonder, for instance, if a small fund to buy models and hobby supplies for kids might be appropriate. Professor, Set it up...I was thinking maybe specifically for the FSM forum members first since they're family. I'll donate (from my personal collection) kits and supplies if we can locate willing recipients. Jeff

Great idea, but I think it's going to be quite some time before anyone down there will be ready to do any modelling, by then, apathy may have set in and people may be less inclined to give.
Any chance we can setup a "collection person" to stock pile these items ready for when we can start handing it all out? I will donate, and have plenty of space available to store as well if needed.
I'd just hate this to fizzle out in say two three months time when people will start to get back on track.

I'm in-

I have a Heller La Sirene with Jake's name on it when he's ready...I know he had one in his unbuilt pile...

-Len

I'm in also.I've got a Imai Golden Hind for him.Its already to ship along with Flex-i-File stuff when he's ready.It was just good to hear from him.
Rod

Its great to hear that Jake and family are safe and well, our thoughts and prayers are with him and everyone in that area affected by the disaster. In regards to the collection i would love to help out , if someone ends up as a "collection person" please post address that i can send to.

Do I have any volunteers?

Jeff

It seems to me that the logical person to collect the kits is Jake - but I wouldn't dream of suggesting that he get involved in such a thing right now. I think the idea of sending kits and supplies to benefit the kids of the Gulf region is a great one, but for the time being the various pipelines are working to near capacity on food, medicine, building materials, etc. - the stuff that's vital to sustain life. I also suspect few kids or their parents are thinking about model building.

Before we do anything of this nature I'd like to get Jake's input. He can judge better than we can what's practical, and what form of help would do the most good. Maybe it would be appropriate for us to start stockpiling stuff on our own for the time being, with the intention of sending some "care packages" to Louisiana (and Mississippi and Alabama) in a month or so when the current crisis has eased a bit.

That makes the most sense, jtilley - I have a friend down at Ground Zero, Ocean Springs, who told me that with even the Post Office gone, they have no way to get those nifty relief checks FEMA says they mailed them. They have been told/promised/assured that mail will start "soon." So I think it's best if we stockpile stuff and wait for Big Jake's input.

That sounds like a plan to me. I'm glad someone is thinking around here! :-)

Jeff

I know in the RC arena, the AMA is letting members know of all the members that may have been stricken so that other members can help them with whatever they can. There are some who are taking collections of kits, supplies, and equipment to give to members who have lost everything when they are ready to start modeling again.

There are also "fun fly" events being planned to help raise money. And there is talk in Texas of maybe clubs going into the shelters and giving demonstrations and putting on build seminars to help relieve some of the stresses of being in the shelter.

I see the IPMS has set up an e-mail account service. We could also get addresses of clubs in the local area and try getting in contact with members there to see what they need. I would suggest getting your club together to start planning how you can help as an organization.

As John said, this needs be more of a long term project to help fellow modelers more than a short term project. Many may not be able to start building again for awhile but it would be nice for them to be able to have "something" to start on after all the time and expenses are drianed on getting life back in order. And also to get them back into the hobby.

We are doing a simular project for our troops and it seems to be working, so we already have the basics down.

Some may say that providing "hobby" stuff should be a last priority, but many psychologists are saying that so many people are going to need as much support as possible to help deal with the post traumitic stress that geting them back into the hobby will help a great deal with them adjusting to this aftermath.

Scott

I feel that modeling has helped get me through my recent tough times-and if anyone comes up with a plan I'll be glad to help.

PS-I've already given to redcross.org.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff Herne Do I have any volunteers? Jeff

thought I allready had? never mind, i'll go with whatever everyone else comes up with.