Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts

Alyson Vanness, staff sergeant with the 970th Airborne Air Congrol Squadron, 513th Air Control Group, takes a quick break from mopping a bathroom of a local apartment complex being reopened to receive Katrina evacuees. Vanness was one of many Air Force Reservists who volunteered their time to support community support efforts.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Neika Jones and Kiarrah Dixon, staff sergeants with the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron, 513th Air Control Group, Air Force Reserve, sort through clothes and bedding donated to Katrina victims at the Sunrise Park Apartments. Sergeant Jones is secretary for the combined 507th Air Refueling Wing and 513th ACG Enlisted Advisory Council.

Tinker Air Force Reservists Support Local Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts

Published Dec. 21, 2005
By Tech. Sgt. Melba Koch
507th Air Refueling Wing

Tinker AFB, Okla. -- Various members from the Air Force Reserve community gathered Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Sunrise Park Apartments, here in Oklahoma City.

Coming from the 507th Air Refueling Wing and the 513th Air Control Group, some of these reservists were armed with brooms, mops, vacuum cleaners, cleaning rags, while others came to supply muscles to carry heavy appliances.

All were volunteers answering the call from local community leaders who needed help preparing donated apartments for displaced Katrina victims. Piles of clothing and bedding had been donated and needed to be sorted and organized for families evacuating into the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. The volunteers mowed grass, cleaned kitchen cabinets and tile floors and vacuumed carpets.

Ruth Cain, City Councilwoman for Midwest City, first sent out the call for help on Sept. 8th, a week and a half after Hurricane Katrina took its toll on the southern part of the United States. By this time authorities decided it was unsafe for residents to stay in the areas around the flooded cities, so the victims started heading north. More than 50 families have settled into the apartment complex, with a few more arriving daily from the Camp Gruber complex.

“Our desire is to make the families feel welcome and hope they will make the greater Oklahoma City area their new home if they are unable to return to their homes,” said Councilwoman Cain. “We in Oklahoma have wanted to help and are glad to be able to be good neighbors in this project,” continued Councilwoman Cain.