A local non-profit group was recently named a recipient of USA WEEKEND Magazine's annual Make a Difference Day Contest.
The Giving Circle was awarded a $10,000 prize from the national
newspaper for their efforts in rebuilding the town of Waveland, Miss.,
and more specifically their work to rebuild Waveland radio station
WQRZ. Saratoga Springs partnered with Waveland in 2006 to become sister
cities.
In 2006, the group launched an effort to rebuild the radio station which served as the only emergency broadcast system in Hancock County during Hurricane Katrina. Operated by Brice Phillips, the radio station also served as his home. Unfortunately, the home was devastated by the storm. During a trip to Waveland, The Giving Circle salvaged equipment from the destroyed studio and helped to clear the land to rebuild Phillips' home and life. Phillips was able to set up a temporary building to keep his studio running until a permanent structure could be built.
Two years later, Hurricane Gustav tore through the city that was still being repaired from Hurricane Katrina and once again devastated Phillip's home and studio. That didn't stop Phillips from broadcasting through Gustav from a porch.
"Phillips helped so many people throughout the storm by getting the details about where to go for help and where emergency centers were located," said Ron Deutsch, president of The Giving Circle. "WQRZ was the only station that was still running during the storm."
Make a Difference Day 2008 occurred in October, just as The Giving Circle was finishing up a month-long volunteer effort to rebuild Phillips' permanent home and studio. Because of this effort, USA Today made The Giving Circle one of the 10 winners of the contest.
"This money will go a long way towards buying supplies and providing labor for our next trips," Deutsch said.
The first trip of 2009 to Saratoga Springs' sister city takes place during many colleges' spring break from March 7 through March 16. The Giving Circle volunteers, along with 23 Skidmore College students and 5 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students will spend the week rebuilding the home of the Wimdish family whose home is still in ruins after Hurricane Katrina almost four years later.
"In the spirit of community service, President Obama has called upon all of us to help others in need," Deutsch said. "Four years after Hurricane Katrina, thousands in the Gulf Coast are still homeless or in desperate need of assistance. The Giving Circle is answering that call to service both in our local community and in our sister city of Waveland. We ask our fellow Saratogians to join us to make a difference."
Over the past few years, The Giving Circle has raised thousands of dollars for their charitable projects through their annual Mardi Gras celebration and other events. This year's Mardi Gras is scheduled for April 25-26. Monies raised will also benefit the Franklin Community Center and The Latino Community Advocacy Program through the Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council.
"All of the outreach we have done has really paid off," Deutsch said. "The level of care that has come out of our community completely renews my faith and spirit."
For more information about The Giving Circle, visit www.thegivingcircle.org or call (518) 226-0104.
In 2006, the group launched an effort to rebuild the radio station which served as the only emergency broadcast system in Hancock County during Hurricane Katrina. Operated by Brice Phillips, the radio station also served as his home. Unfortunately, the home was devastated by the storm. During a trip to Waveland, The Giving Circle salvaged equipment from the destroyed studio and helped to clear the land to rebuild Phillips' home and life. Phillips was able to set up a temporary building to keep his studio running until a permanent structure could be built.
Two years later, Hurricane Gustav tore through the city that was still being repaired from Hurricane Katrina and once again devastated Phillip's home and studio. That didn't stop Phillips from broadcasting through Gustav from a porch.
"Phillips helped so many people throughout the storm by getting the details about where to go for help and where emergency centers were located," said Ron Deutsch, president of The Giving Circle. "WQRZ was the only station that was still running during the storm."
Make a Difference Day 2008 occurred in October, just as The Giving Circle was finishing up a month-long volunteer effort to rebuild Phillips' permanent home and studio. Because of this effort, USA Today made The Giving Circle one of the 10 winners of the contest.
"This money will go a long way towards buying supplies and providing labor for our next trips," Deutsch said.
The first trip of 2009 to Saratoga Springs' sister city takes place during many colleges' spring break from March 7 through March 16. The Giving Circle volunteers, along with 23 Skidmore College students and 5 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students will spend the week rebuilding the home of the Wimdish family whose home is still in ruins after Hurricane Katrina almost four years later.
"In the spirit of community service, President Obama has called upon all of us to help others in need," Deutsch said. "Four years after Hurricane Katrina, thousands in the Gulf Coast are still homeless or in desperate need of assistance. The Giving Circle is answering that call to service both in our local community and in our sister city of Waveland. We ask our fellow Saratogians to join us to make a difference."
Over the past few years, The Giving Circle has raised thousands of dollars for their charitable projects through their annual Mardi Gras celebration and other events. This year's Mardi Gras is scheduled for April 25-26. Monies raised will also benefit the Franklin Community Center and The Latino Community Advocacy Program through the Saratoga Economic Opportunity Council.
"All of the outreach we have done has really paid off," Deutsch said. "The level of care that has come out of our community completely renews my faith and spirit."
For more information about The Giving Circle, visit www.thegivingcircle.org or call (518) 226-0104.
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