May 24 2007 11:25AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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Earlier this week, Habitat for Humanity announced it had built its 1,000th home on the Gulf Coast since hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on the region.

It reminded me just how little we hear about New Orleans today. After a flurry of news stories in the wake of the hurricanes, it's quickly disappeared off the front page. But that doesn't mean the need is any less severe. There are still dozens of neighborhoods that need to be razed and rebuilt. Next year Habitat will hold its 25th annual "Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project," in New Orleans. The week-long event is designed to bring thousands of volunteers to an area of acute need.

There's still plenty of opportunities to help out before next May, too. Habitat is trying to build 57 homes a month in the region, as well as repair hundreds of damaged homes. To volunteer or donate to Habitat for Humanity, visit www.habitat.org or call 1-800-HABITAT.