Dear Friends and Family,

 I am taking part in this special tzeddakah project which I learned about through the efforts and participation of my mentor and friend, Neshama Carlebach. 

I am concerned that there are still countless families in the New Orleans area who are still living without homes. Please help me to raise $12,000 in order to rebuild the home of a family that lost theirs in Hurricane Katrina. This project is being run through the  St. Bernard Project which has already built 228 homes.  The homes are built by volunteers who can build a home in just 3 months if given $12,000 for supplies.

I have the privilige of helping Richonda Bridge and her family. Seven months before Katrina hit, 33-year-old Richonda was diagnosed with breast cancer.  

Richonda purchased her home in July 2004 to raise her eight year old daughter, Giordin, and 10 year old son, Gregory.

Already working two jobs, Richonda was not able to move her family into their newly purchased home because she couldn’t afford furniture. Richonda’s fight against breast cancer continued for the next year. Her condition worsened, along with her need for assistance. Richonda and her two children continued to live with her mother.

In July 2005,Richonda's health improved and she finally moved into her new home.  Just one week later, the house was destroyed by Katrina. 

Richonda and her children spent the next six months in Atlanta, Ga with her sister,  where she continued to battle cancer. Richonda also struggled with finances. After the storm hit, Richonda, like most residents, lost her job and eventually, her health insurance. The continuous circuit of surgeries and treatments carried a heavy burden for the family, both emotionally and financially.

Once she and her children were able to return to New Orleans, she moved back in with her mother. She was hoping to rebuild her home when she was victimized by a fraudulent contractor who left her broke. Since then, Richonda has done what she can on her house, always welcoming volunteers and anybody who is willing to help. Nevertheless, more work remains before Richonda and her two children will be able to return home.

During her fight for recovery, Richonda has learned many lessons. She lives each day to the fullest and has more appreciation for the little things in life. She strongly believes everything happens for a reason and focuses on the positives, like spending time with her children.

The family remains strong and looks forward to the days when they will have their own home to live in and their own backyard to play in. The children look forward to being able to have sleepovers, and Richonda looks forward to spending time with her children in her own home. Simple comforts such as locking the door to her very own house at night have this strong-willed woman committed to rebuilding her home

This is where you fit in.    Please help me to raise the funds to rebuild Richonda's home. No contribution is too small.   For your convenience, you can donate through this website which is totally secure.  Please note that your contibutions are tax deductable in the United States.

Many thanks for your support -- and don't forget to forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!

 

 

Sincerely,

Scott Rosenberg