Camping For Katrina Victims—

Students Raise Funds And Awareness For Biloxi Trip

By Kendra Bobowick

On a side table were wooden skewers beside bags of  marshmallows. A few feet away, flames rushed upward from a barrel where students kept warm on Saturday night, January 30, despite the near zero temperature. Newtown Ecumenical Workcamp Students (NEWS) enjoyed roasted marshmallows outside the Newtown Congregational Church where they had tents set up outdoors; until bedtime they were in and out of the church hall for dinner and games. The Sleep-A-Thon, which was meant to raise funds and awareness for families rendered homeless following hurricane Katrina, brings students a step closer to their July trip to Biloxi, Miss., where they will add helping hands to rebuilding a house there.

Parent Sue Mouchantat looked around the dining room and kitchen area and said, “This is our warm-up hut.” High school students played games, set up a ping-pong table, gathered their hats and gloves before stepping outside, or finished their dinner Saturday.

Sarah Ferris, a third-time participant, laughed, saying, “Our parents feel bad that we’re out in the cold, we get good food.” The evening’s intentions were serious, however. “The people that we’re helping, are warm, but it’s the same concept, they have no place suitable for living, no choice, no place comfortable. We can think of them.”

Ms Mouchantat had similar thoughts: “Homeless people can’t go inside to eat. This is a good way [for the students] to learn how fortunate they are,” she said.

Already wrapped in ear warmers and overalls, Sarah sat with friends Scott Keating and Mike Mouchantat as the two rolled dice or played a board game. In the lobby where snowboards, backpacks, and winter boots lay in heaps, Elie Mouchantat pulled a felt hat over her ears. Outside and around the corner was the fire barrel, tent, and more campers and chaperones. Matt Cole and his father Jerry stood with Sarah and Richard Weiss where moments before nearly a dozen teens crowded around the flames for warmth, then ducked beneath a cardboard and tarp cover that sheltered them from the cold.

The workcampers solicited sponsors to raise funds for the upcoming trip. They raised approximately $1,500 this year, however, the total estimated cost is $25,000, which covers airfare, rental vans, food and expenses for the 40 students and chaperones.

Anyone interested in making a contributions can make checks payable to NCC Workcamp. Mail to Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, Newtown CT 06470, Attn Workcamp.