Tasha Verrico was so moved by the needs in her parents' community in flood-ravaged Mississippi that she has begun a grassroots campaign to collect school supplies for two schools destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
As soon the West Grove resident heard the news of the devastating hurricane, she and her brother made arrangements to go to the aid of their parents, Howard and Roberta Little, whose belongings had been washed away in Gautier, Mississippi, which is 15 minutes from Biloxi.
Verrico said one has to be there to see it first hand to understand the magnitude of the destruction.
Roberta Little is an artist and active community volunteer, and Howard Little worked in the casino industry.
While their house was salvageable, the high water had flowed in one side and out the other, taking with it most of their belongings. Mr. Little was forced into early retirement because the casinos were severely damaged. The contents of Mrs. Little's art studio washed away with the roiling waters.
But, the Littles were far better off than many in their community. They had enough belongings left to fill a 10 by 10-foot storage container. Others had nothing left of their former lives.
As a volunteer in the community schools, Roberta Little was especially saddened by the devastation there. As a young mother of two- and three-year-old boys, Verrico wanted to find a way to help the youngest victims. Upon her return home she did some research and learned about Biloxi's Gorenflo Elementary School, which was severely damaged by the hurricane.
The school originally had a student body of 400 children, but only a quarter of them returned after the storm. Those who didn't return were able to find homes and schools in other areas.
"The remaining children have it much harder," Verrico said. "Living conditions are poor, as many live in FEMA trailers, tents or a home that is nearly consumed by mold."
Verrico compiled a wish list of supplies for the school. She did not want to cold call strangers or make anonymous pleas. She just wanted to call people from whom she was comfortable asking a favor.
She is one person collecting things, and cannot offer tax write-offs, just gratitude and intrinsic rewards. And, people had to trust that what they offered would go to where it was promised. She knew she could count on those who knew her and they could count on her.
In a letter to friends and relatives in early November, Verrico wrote: "Seeing the cruelty of the storm and the day-to-day frustration after their world was changed so dramatically, I thought I'd reach out to you to participate in a small project to benefit a school and to help the children enjoy this holiday season."
Those letters, e-mails and calls produced a snowball effect when those friends and relatives contacted other friends and relatives. The original plan was to have a four-phase project. A friend in Hartefeld would collect classroom decorations, learning toys and cash. Verrico's in-laws on the Delaware-Maryland border would collect rhythm instruments, learning toys and cash. Friends known as the "Bunko girls of Hunt Valley" would collect socks. Others in Atlantic City would collect books and school supplies. In addition to organizing the drive, Verrico would collect art supplies and comfort items.
Along the way she heard of the Nichols School, another devastated school in Biloxi with 130 remaining students, and she has taken on its needs as well. A nurse contacted her and said all the children need shoes and socks. The donated cash will be used to buy those items.
The generosity continues as more area individuals and organizations join Verrico's campaign: the Avon Grove High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes is purchasing musical instruments for both schools; the Kennett Area YMCA Montessori School is sponsoring a fund raiser for socks; Sanity and the shops in Hockessin are donating a gift basket to be raffled; a church in Virginia also has joined the effort; the Early Learning Center of Hockessin goal is to raise $1,000 for school supplies; Back to Health Chiropractic is collecting paint and brushes; and several individuals and their friends are supporting the effort through collections of monetary donations, as well as books, socks, shoes and blankets. Roberta Little and Verrico also are making handmade necklaces for all 250 children in the Gorenflo and Nichols schools.
So many people have responded, Verrico said, because they want to do something tangible to help, but often don't know how on their own. Her mother said when her family was in the midst of the agonizing, hot, filthy cleanup she was "always waiting for the cavalry to arrive." Now, her daughter is part of the cavalry, coming to the aid of the most needy school children.
The Littles are in awe of all their daughter has done for their former community. They will go back to Mississippi this month, pulling behind their car a trailer filled with all their daughter has collected. They will distribute the goods, sell their home and bid their friends and community goodbye. They plan to move to Lancaster to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren.
For more information call Tasha Verrico at 302-598-8907 or email tverrico@verricoassociates.com. To see photos of the storm-damaged Biloxi area schools go to the Web site www.biloxischools.net/katrina_photos_biloxi.htm.