Alexis B

Sharing stories of loss in Biloxi

JULIANNA KERR, TIMES STAFF
Alexis Bennett , a Salvation Army volunteer, was in Mississippi from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9, helping with hurricane relief efforts.



By Julianna KerrTimes Staff(Nov 22, 2005)
Alexis Bennett has always wanted to help people and dreamed of working in a Third World country helping those less fortunate than herself.
Her dream came true recently, but in a different way.
On Oct. 27, Bennett, 44, left for Biloxi, Miss. She was selected as a volunteer to represent the Salvation Army and help those who were suffering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"When Katrina hit, I immediately contacted people I know and said I'd like to go," Bennett said.
After a few sets of changed plans, it was settled and Bennett was headed to Mississippi.
"For me, I've come to believe even more so than I ever did, that if God wants you somewhere, he'll pave the way," she said.
Bennett was the only Cambridge resident on her eight-member volunteer team. Salvation Army paid for the flights and accommodation.
"When we went, we were told that our responsibilities would be volunteer, canteen worker or emotional/spiritual caregiver (ESC)," she said. "We were to assist wherever we could. We were there to listen to the stories, to give people an opportunity to vent, to cry; to give them some encouragement and to pray with them (if they wanted that)...whatever they needed."
Volunteers travelled on canteen trucks, with each truck carrying an ESC and canteen workers.
"As canteen workers, we served up the food and anything else we might have," Bennett said. "Cleaning kits, blankets, backpacks, stuffed animals and toys for kids... We had snacks - mostly chips, beef jerky, chocolate bars, cookies, cold drinks and water; whatever we happened to have."
The canteen workers also distributed hot meals.
"Then we talked to people and shared with them and things like that," Bennett said. "I personally felt blessed. We were sent around to different areas. I got to see the real devastation of it all."
Bennett said that although she knew the south was traditionally strong in faith, she still expected to hear people being angry at God and angry at the world.
"But because of their faith being so strong, we didn't see that," she said. "Everyone seemed to be very positive. Even though they're distraught, they've picked themselves up. There's a positive attitude among the devastation and their faith is still shining strong."
Bennett said that although the situation is still serious, progress is slowly being made. Garbage and debris are piled up everywhere, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason to which buildings withstood the storm and which ones went down.
"There are no words to describe it," she said. "You see it in the news, you see it everywhere. But until you're there, you can't even imagine. You don't see the rubble anymore. You see that person's life in front of you."
Bennett met people who were left with nothing, such as the woman whose photos were all lost. And the people who wondered how a boat ended up on their front lawn.
"I was really shocked to see how positive and up everybody was," she said. "I feel honoured. I feel it's a privilege to have been there. You sit and you look at the pictures or you remember someone's story and you wonder about them. You just want to go back. This is probably a lifetime's dream fulfilled."
Bennett said everyone was so grateful for help, and couldn't believe that people were coming from Canada to help them.
"You couldn't give me a million dollars to replace that experience," she said. "We can't forget those people out there because they need us."
Bennett will do a presentation and slide show about her experience on Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. during the Salvation Army's service. The event is open to the public.
The Salvation Army is located at 16 Shade St. To contact Bennett, e-mail her at alexisbennett@sympatico.ca.