Motiva Hands Help Rebuild New Orleans
Tons of sweat and muscle power was produced as Motiva Norco Refinery volunteers donated time and energy to rebuild New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity this fall. Sponsored by Motiva's Network Next, a group group that supports the new generation of employees at Norco, the community service project included a day of new-home construction at the Musician's Village in the Upper Ninth Ward. This was one of the hardest-hit areas by Hurricane Katrina.
Network Next representatives Gabby Dipp and Mike Primeau, who coordinated the volunteer project, report that Motiva volunteers picked up hammers, saws, drills and paintbrushes for the cause. This was done according to Habitat for Humanity's coordinated plans to build new homes for those in need. "Bringing the New Orleans area back to life is important to everyone in Louisiana," stated Dipp. "Housing continues to be a major problem for thousands of displaced residents. Habitat for Humanity offers a fast-track method of providing quality shelter."
"Community involvement is a responsibility that Motiva takes seriously," Primeau added. "With Habitat, we helped those in need, working side by side with those who will soon have a new place to call home."
Habitat for Humanity beneficiaries are required to complete 350 hours of "Sweat Equity" in constructing other homes, as well as their own, over a period of six months. The hours are considered the down payment for the house. New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity houses are sold with no profit and house payments are recycled to build additional homes.
Motiva and Shell volunteers focused their efforts on the Musician's Village, a project conceived by musicians and New Orleans natives Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis and Ellis Marsalis. Located on eight acres in the Upper Ninth ward, the village will consist of 81 Habitat-constructed homes for displaced New Orleans musicians. Its centerpiece will be the Ellis Marsalis Center of Music, dedicated to the education and development of homeowners and others in the neighborhood. In addition, plans call for building at least 150 other homes in the surrounding neighborhood. The Habitat project was the first large scale-rebuilding project in New Orleans following Katrina.
Volunteers include: John Craven, Georgia Craven, Michael Primeau, Christina Barrett, Arenda Culver , Luke Haidorfer, Michelle Hallmark, Faye Labiche, Eric Rodriguez, Ben White, Gabby Dipp, and Jeff Bazzi
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