We Care Traditional Cache
ohjoy!:
This one has served its purpose - while I'm sad to archive it, I think it's best.
Thanks to all who searched for and found it.
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
THE STORY:
Hurricane Katrina started out modestly in the Bahamas on August 23rd, 2005. It gradually grew into the season's eleventh named storm prior to making landfall in South Florida as a minimal hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph, and gusts up to 95 mph.
After quickly crossing Southern Florida, Katrina emerged again over water in the Southeastern Gulf of Mexico near the Florida Keys, and strengthened to the 2005 season's third major hurricane before reorganizing into the most powerful storm in the Central Gulf since Hurricane Camille, and third Category Five Hurricane in as many years with winds as high as 175 mph. It became the fourth most powerful hurricane of all time.
Here in Hancock County, almost 11,000 homes were destroyed, approximately 3,600 suffered major damage with at least 1,800 more homes sustaining minor damage. 70% of all homes in the county were severely damaged or destroyed.
The Early Response by many organizations involved distribution of relief materials and preparation of thousands of meals. Churches opened their doors to house evacuees and to offer their facilities as needed during the first weeks of recovery.
After the initial recovery, churches (including the one where this cache is placed) and their congregations began hosting volunteers of any and all walks of life and beliefs from around the country. These long-term recovery efforts will continue for up to 10 years.
Now that time has passed, it is all too easy for those not living there to forget the needs of these communities. It is important to understand that at this time only a small portion of the needed recovery has been accomplished.
Many elderly and handicapped people continue to live in small FEMA trailers. When visited, they express gratitude for what has been done for them and share their hopes for returning to a restored home. Those whose homes were among the first to be repaired welcomed future volunteer workers to use their homes as needed for cooking, bathing and sleeping.
This church, like the others in the area, continues to welcome volunteers and to work with the community to repair/rebuild homes. Selection of homes to be repaired is based on need (restoring those who lack resources to safe homes) and availability of funding for needed building materials. Once need is established, priority is given those least able to help themselves: the disabled, the elderly and single parents with young children.
THE CACHE:
This cache is a camouflaged Altoids container hidden in a cluster of trees.
How can you show the sentiment of the cache name?
If you are just passing through the area feel free to leave an encouraging note/other gift in the container, or just go inside to meet the people organizing the volunteer efforts. Better yet, stay awhile, help the efforts and share the story with those “back home.”
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Va n fznyy pyhfgre bs gerrf jvgu aneebj yrnirf ba rqtr bs fvqrjnyx. Vs lbh xabj gur anzr bs gur glcr bs gerr, cyrnfr yrg zr xabj.