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Thirteen students from the New Albany – Union County School of Career and Technical Education traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast February 6-10 to help with efforts to rebuild damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.  Mr. Billy Matkins, Building Trades instructor, and ten adult volunteers traveled and worked with the group of students.
The trip was financed by a $2500 grant from Timberline Pro and assistance from the New Albany and Union County school boards. 

The SkillsUSA group assisted with two different Katrina projects.  They helped construct decks and stairs on a house that had been raised about seven feet off the ground to prevent future flooding.  They also installed drywall in a new two story 1200 square foot home.  All materials for the new construction were donated by different businesses.  The new home project was the most meaningful for the group of students and volunteers, because the construction is being done completely by volunteers due to the health and financial needs of the homeowners.

Mr. Matkins and the SkillsUSA group experienced an unexpected surprise while touring the devastation on the coast.  They had the pleasure of visiting with Senator Trent Lott who was standing outside a temporary mobile home on his property.  Senator Lott’s home and hundreds of others were completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  Senator Lott expressed his appreciation for groups like the SkillsUSA team from New Albany who are making a difference in the rebuilding of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.