PAnews.com, Port Arthur, Texas

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October 9, 2008

Sabine Pass cleanup is growing

Mary Meaux

Come Saturday there may be more volunteers cleaning up in Sabine Pass than residents.

The volunteers are coming together to help clean the small community of hurricane debris.

Pam Trosclair of the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce is the point person for those wishing to help. Trosclair said so far she’s heard from more than 400 people who are ready for the big day.

Check-in begins at 8 am. Saturday, Oct. 11 and work begins at 9 a.m. The groups are tentatively set to meet at the football stadium.

With more than 200 homes in Sabine Pass either damaged or completely destroyed volunteers are needed to remove debris and salt grass. Residents are preparing to live in tents, travel trailers and mobile homes until they can rebuild but help is needed to clear the property.

“After 5:30 when the girls leave the office the phone is still ringing off the wall,” she said.

Trosclair said she didn’t believe there would be such a huge response considering the cleanup was just announced earlier this week.

Churches, businesses, Boy Scouts and individuals are preparing for a day of cleaning. Some of the volunteers are coming from other Hurricane Ike damaged areas such as Bridge City and Orange.

Others are coming from Pleasure Island, which also received damage and as far away as Dallas and Fort Worth, she said.

Many individuals are bringing food to the event and have decided against links and hot dogs and will instead bring gumbo, barbecue and spaghetti.

Monetary donations are being accepted. Checks can be made out to Dick Dowling Lions Club Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 263, Sabine Pass, Texas, 77655. The money will be used to assist families with immediate needs as they being to receive temporary housing. Trosclair said temporary trailers will soon arrive in town but residents will need everything from toiletries and other bathroom needs to kitchen utensils and more.

To volunteer, call Trosclair at 963-1107.

Contact this reporter at mmeaux@panews.com.

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