CMP Employees Provide Small Comforts for Those Devastated by Katrina

By Sommer Wood, Staff Writer/Editor

When a tragedy such as Hurricane Katrina hits we, as Americans, are always generously willing to help. Disasters of this magnitude affect everyone, and for those fortunate enough to only have to experience it on television the intense desire to help only grows stronger.

The CMP family of affiliated clubs, schools, and JROTC units all across the Gulf were affected by Katrina, and many have taken deep losses. For many losses were much greater than just equipment and range space. What they need now are the basics, and that is exactly what everyone at CMP North and CMP South is working to provide.

Some of the items collected by CMP South employees to be distributed to Katrina evacuees around Anniston, AL.

Closest to the tragedy, CMP South saw the early waves of evacuees as they were brought into Anniston, Alabama and surrounding Calhoun County just days after Katrina hit. Many were housed at the Oxford Civic Center but were later moved to Ft. McClellan in Anniston where over 2000 volunteers prepared two large housing units that can house 1000 people for up to two years. Employees collected box fans and electrical cords, along with puzzles, games, and crayons for the children, which they took to the Civic Center. They also collected over two truck loads of clothes and shoes that will be given to the Salvation Army and distributed among the evacuees.

Scott Gittinger (center) with the first family that he helped place from the shelter. He helped the family move to a house in Labell, TX after they lived in the Ford Convention Center for six days.

At CMP North, employees have also been collecting clothes to send to the evacuees; over 50 boxes of clothes were sent in the first week. Most of these boxes were sent to Beaumont, Texas near Houston. There former CMP employee Pat Gittinger’s son, Scott, is distributing the items to families that have been evacuated to the area. The donations that Scott collected have allowed him to assist several families in finding homes, jobs, and schools in the Beaumont area.

CMP North employees Laurie Mandell, Melissa Fox, and Kathy Williams sort though piles of donated clothes to be sent to Texas and Louisiana.

Other boxes and donations were being sent to Louisiana CMP State Junior Director Mickey Brondum who lost everything when Katrina hit his home in Violet, Louisiana. He and his wife fled with others to Jackson, Mississippi with only a few meager possessions. He plans to return to Violet in the coming weeks to see what is left, and begin the process of rebuilding his home. CMP has also been in contact with State Junior Directors Jack Withers of Mississippi, and Rodney Cromer of Alabama who were also affected by the storm. Both faired well considering the extent of Katrina’s damage, and will continue to be in contact with schools and junior programs in their states.

Though the scope of this tragedy may seem overwhelming, Americans will overcome this one generous act at a time. In the wave of support flowing into the ravaged Gulf, we hope the small role that the CMP has been able to play will provide a little hope and comfort for someone in need.