Frequently asked questions about volunteering at Trinity United Methodist Church, Gulfport, MS

Editor's note: There will be a major news story in the September 22nd edition of THE REVIEW featuring Courtney Allen, Rebuilding Coordinator, Trinity United Methodist Church, Gulfport, Mississippi. Courtney graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2005 and was an integral part of the Wesley Foundation at Vanderbilt. Tennessee Conference support of campus ministry was important in touching Courtney's life and the lives and many others.

Where will we stay?
We have been housing our volunteers in our Christian Life Center at Trinity. Groups have been sleeping 4-8 per room in Sunday School rooms. Individuals will need to bring their own air mattresses/cots as well as bedding (sleeping bags, pillows, etc). If bringing an air mattress, we ask that you bring a twin sized air mattress due to space limitations in our facilities.

Do you have a kitchen facility?
Yes, we have a full kitchen with everything you will need during your stay. All pots, pan, utensils, are on site. We also have an ice maker that can be used to fill ice chests, etc.

Do you provide meals?
We provide the food necessary to prepare meals. Someone from the church does provide lunch (except on the weekends), but breakfast and dinner are prepared by groups. Because we usually have more than one group staying at a time, different groups share the communal responsibility of preparing meals.

Do we need to bring our own food?
We provide most of the food you will need during your stay here. If you have individuals in your group with special dietary needs (vegetarian, diabetic, etc), please know that we cannot always cater to those needs. If there are specific food items that you will need while here, please bring them with you or you can purchase most things at a nearby grocery store.

Can some members of the group stay at Trinity to help in the kitchen?
Yes, we always appreciate having extra help in the kitchen. There is usually plenty to do in and around the kitchen

Are there hotels nearby?
At this time only 1/3 of the hotel rooms that existed before the storm are open. For obvious reasons these rooms are booked with contractors, insurance adjustors, FEMA employees, and evacuees. If for some reason you are hesitant about staying at Trinity, please understand that our facilities are some of the best in the area. Volunteers who stay here at Trinity are really living a lot better than many folks in our community.

Do you have laundry facilities?
Yes, although limited. We have one washer and one dryer. It is not possible for every individual to do laundry while here, so please bring enough clothing to last during your stay here.

How many showers do you have?
At this time we have one male shower and one female shower inside the Christian Life Center, and 4 additional portable showers. There is usually plenty of hot water for everyone!

What is the cost of staying at Trinity?
We ask for a general contribution to our Katrina Relief fund. These dollars allow us to pay the electric bill, provide food to volunteers, and continue to assist families with building supplies and other needs. If hard pressed for a specific per diem amount, we have suggested $10/day/person as just beginning to cover our actual costs. We also have t-shirts available for $5.

What kind of work will we be doing? What kind of skills are necessary?
We are focusing on installing insulation, hanging sheetrock, and painting. But, we have done some roofing and a multitude of other things. We encourage groups to have some skilled individuals, but that is by no means a requirement. There is still plenty of debris removal and other non-skilled work to be done. We appreciate all volunteers tremendously from the unskilled willing helper to the most skilled professional!

Do I need to bring my own tools?
Yes. We ask that all groups be self-sufficient as far as tools are concerned. We have a few tools that you are welcomed to use to supplement your own tools, but we are not capable of fully outfitting work teams.

What kind of tools do I need to bring?
Please look at our tools list on the website for a detailed list.

Do we need to provide our own transportation to job sites?
Yes, groups are responsible for transporting team members to different job sites.

What kind of things does Trinity need?
· A Pickup Truck
· Shop Vac’s
· 6’ ladders
· Stepladders
· Bleach
· Saw horses
· Work Gloves
· Gift Cards (Home Depot and Lowes)
· Drywall screws
· Drywall T-squares
· Roto-Zips
· Drywall saws
· Drywall - all sizes
· Insulation, R-13 Kraft Faced and R-19
· Drywall compound, tape paper and mesh.

How many people can I bring?
We are open to all sized groups. The group size just depends on how many other volunteers we have at the time of your visit. If the group size is known far enough in advance, we can make the appropriate accommodations.

How do I schedule a team to come?
Contact Carrie McGhee at cmcghee@trinityumc.com or 228-863-2717 with possible dates that you are considering. Our schedule books up pretty quickly, so please contact us as soon as possible.

Can couples stay together?
Generally, the answer is no. Because space is at a premium, we do not have the luxury of having couples have their own rooms.

Do you have an electrical hookup for RVs?
Yes, we have one electrical hookup for an RV, but no water/sewer hookup. Please let us know if you are planning to come down in an RV.

What will the weather be like?
Temperatures can vary a great deal. The summer months are obviously extremely hot. But, the spring temperatures can range a good bit. Check the weather before you head down, and don’t forget sunscreen.