Providing Long-Term Relief for Hurricane Ida Survivors
The Home Depot Foundation is one of many generous partners who assisted Convoy of Hope in long-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Ida. Their support allowed Convoy to purchase much-needed building materials and appliances for those left reeling by the storm. One of these survivors is Celeste Rodrigue.
“The whole thing has been overwhelming, but when we think of where we were three months ago compared to now, we see that God has shown up so mightily,” said Celeste.
Celeste and her children hit the road as soon as the mandatory evacuation orders went into effect after the devastating Category 4 storm rolled ashore.
“Once our roof peeled much of the way off, water was running through the rafters and went everywhere,” Celeste said. “I had to leave with the kids, but my husband stayed behind [and] was able to move a bunch of furniture out of the way to save it.”
The powerful hurricane left millions of homes without power for weeks, if not months. But through Convoy’s help, Celeste and her family are getting back on their feet.
“We are foster parents. We weren’t even in our home yet when they [the foster care system] were calling and asking us to take more kids,” Celeste said. “Being foster parents … you could have two kids in the morning and six by the afternoon.”
And that’s exactly what happened. Celeste and her husband began to foster four girls. Now, she and her family have adopted all four into their home. But before they could welcome them, they had to get their house ready — and fast.
Celeste’s friends and family, including several from her church, generously donated supplies and volunteered numerous hours of their time. Convoy came alongside these individuals with materials purchased from Home Depot to finish off what felt like an insurmountable job.
“Convoy of Hope came in and was able to finish off everything we needed. Ceiling tiles and flooring — just everything!” said Celeste.“Y’all blessed my socks off. I’ve been crying so much just because I’m so thankful.”
Thanks to donors like The Home Depot Foundation, Convoy of Hope can continue to bring relief to Ida survivors like Celeste and her family long after the storms of life pass.
