Volunteer group needs electrician, plumber for Katrina rebuilding

Calling all electricians and plumbers! A volunteer group based in Saratoga County needs your help in rebuilding one of the towns leveled by Hurricane Katrina.

The Giving Circle Inc., headquartered in Middle Grove, has made more than 20 trips to Waveland, Miss. since the storm rolled through in 2005. The volunteers are returning on March 7 with 23 Skidmore College students, but -- so far -- without an electrician or plumber.

"We are most effective, as a group, helping people reconstruct," said Ronald Meanza, the group's co-founder and immediate past president. "Now, we need help to help them."

Katrina leveled more than 95% of the buildings in Waveland, including the radio station that serves as the emergency broadcast center for the county. The Giving Circle recently helped rebuild that station, WQRZ.

In recognition of its efforts, USA Today honored The Giving Circle with a $10,000 "Make a Difference Day" award. Now, the group is using that money to go back and rebuild some more. From March 7 - 16, the volunteers will be helping the Wimdish family, whose story of depression and destruction was profiled on television station WLOX in Biloxi, Miss.

"It felt so helpful," said Hannah Thompson, 7, who has been to Waveland several times with her family and brother Jacob. "I felt happy that they would actually get a new home."

Kevin Wheeler, an Albany-area electrician with plumbing experience, told CBS 6 News on Saturday that he would be delighted to help, but he is not sure yet if he can make the trip. If not, Wheeler said he will contact several colleagues in hopes of securing a replacement.

In the event Wheeler is unsuccessful, The Giving Circle is still actively searching for an electrician and plumber to come along on the March trip. The group will pay for airfare, but volunteers must pay $20 daily for room and board.

For more information, contact Ron Deutsch at (518) 469-6769.