Above / Happy Holidays from Pass Christian Mississippi! (Photo by Ron Daley, Dec. 15, 2015)
Dear Naperville,
Here’s a Christmas tree made of crab traps that (Mayor) Chipper McDermott and some city workers put up yesterday.
We’d like to say again how much all the time and money that you guys put into Pass Christian is appreciated.
I still see your signs (Naperville Responds) around town.
The picture of our downtown is from the new harbor.
Thanks,
Ron Daley
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Editor’s Update!
We’ve got to say these photos arrived serendipitously! Just last night, we were talking with Joe Modaff and Jack Persin, two members of Naperville Responds since the organization was first established in 2005.
In case you didn’t know…
In 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina almost completely devastated the small fishing village of Pass Christian, Mississippi, community leaders in Naperville pledged to raise money to help rebuild.
Our community launched a hurricane relief initiative called Naperville Responds and raised money to build 20 homes in the Gulf Coast city. The Pass, as it’s affectionately called, has seen considerable progress to again reach its pre-Katrina population of 6,500. The Naperville Responds partnership with the Rotary Club of Pass Christian and the Mennonites Disaster Relief built hope and homes.
Above / Three-bedroom houses built on stilts provided new homes for 20 families who had lost everything in the devastating Hurricane Katrina, thanks to Naperville Responds. (PN File Photo)
Many folks from local church groups, who traveled down there on mission trips, have built strong relationships too.
Back when our community was raising nearly $1 million in funds to help rebuild the city, local photographer Ron Daley sent numerous photos to keep us apprised of progress in the community.
Searching online, we found a story published in 2008 about our connection with Daley that was published in the Daily Herald!
FYI: After the project in Pass Christian was finished, several members of the first initiative, Jack Persin, Joe Modaff, Steve Chirico (now Naperville Mayor), George Pradel (then Naperville Mayor) and others, switched direction slightly to begin Naperville Responds for Our Veterans. Their aim is to assist Veterans and their families in need of home repairs. The organization raises donations of money, building materials and professional labor to coordinate the process of repairing and upgrading homes for veterans who qualify.
—Stephanie Penick / PN