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County Library Steps To The Plate For Hurricane Relief
By Jo Ann La Russo
Through the Partners in Caring project; the Ocean County Library system contributed $64,000 in donations from fundraising projects to the Hancock Mississippi Library system, which was ravaged by Hurricane Katrina in last year's storm.
The Gulf Coast storm destroyed two of the library system's four branches, and severely damaged the remaining two, said Prima Plauche, director of the Hancock County Library system.
Plauche and representatives, Myra McKay and Linda Haynes, were special guests of the Ocean County library last week at a presentation to kick-off a series of weekend fundraisers.
"We came to say, 'Thanks y'all,'" said Plauche. "What you have done is unprecedented. Thank you for donating to our library system, and sharing our experience. It is healing, one year after."
The Ocean County Library system strives to better the community, and helping out neighbors is part of that process, said library officials.
A 'Rising from the Storm' benefit and silent auction took place on Sunday to benefit the Hurricane relief fund, and further assist the storm ravaged Hancock County library system.
"The staff of the Ocean County Library does not believe that the survivors of Hurricane Katrina should be forgotten," said Elaine McConnell, Director. "Our staff has adopted the Hancock County library system and its members in Mississippi."
Plauche and the Hancock County library representatives had nothing but praise for Ocean County library's help.
"We appreciate your help and the difference it has made in the lives of so many people," she said. "You are very special. We cannot thank you enough."
'Partners in Caring' began almost as soon as the news spread about the destruction of the Hancock County's libraries.
Plauche showed a series of slides that were taken, "in happier days," she said.
"The whole community enjoyed our libraries," she said. "It was a haven for residents. A respite from the outside world, where residents could come in to read a newspaper and just relax in the beautiful lounge areas, while their kids visited the colorful children's reading area. Our design was open, where librarians could always keep an eye out for the children. We enjoyed and loved our library as we enjoyed our homes."
Many of the library staff lost their homes and relocated. Those who stayed on live in FEMA trailers, waiting for further assistance and insurance information.
Hurricane Katrina was not just a coastline event, said Plauche. "The water traveled 20 miles inland, and destroyed most everything in its path."
Plauche show pictures of her formerly beautiful home, with family members enjoying the pool, and holiday dinners in the gorgeous dining room. The next picture of Plauche's home shows only rubble and debris on the acreage. Left standing on the property was only the large stainless steel kitchen range. "They said it was the gas lines that held it down," she said sadly.
Plauche's parent's 1920s style bungalow was also wiped out. "This was our tsunami," she said. "The destruction was unbelievable. It was horrible."
When officials from the Ocean County Library reached out to help, it was 'healing', she said.
"You are all so wonderful," Plauche said last week at the Toms River library branch. "We lost our homes and our peaceful way of life when the hurricane stormed through the Mississippi Gulf coast, she said, but the Ocean County library and programs like, 'Partners in Caring', have given us the added strength that we need to carry on."
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