LATICRETE CHAIRMAN/CEO DAVID ROTHBERG AND HIS WIFE NAN BIRDWHISTELL, THE FORMER FIRST SELECTWOMAN FOR THE TOWN OF WOODBRIDGE, CT, TEAMED WITH SON JASON ROTHBERG, ONE OF HIS CLASSMATES AT AMITY HIGH SCHOOL AND THEIR NEPHEW, TO ANSWER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S CALL TO HELP REBUILD NEW ORLEANS, A CITY STILL RECOVERING FOUR YEARS AFTER THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF HURRICANE KATRINA.
Rothberg and Birdwhistell, now a lawyer in the Municipal Law Practice Group at Martha Cullina LLP, Jason Rothberg, fellow sophomore classmate and friend Eliot Demelier, and nephew Avi Meadow of Weston, CT, have made a noteworthy impact on the lives of Katrina survivors in New Orleans. The Rothberg-Birdwhistell family and team volunteered with the St. Bernard Project (SBP) after Obama mentioned the project during his weekly address last August. Obama discussed the fourth anniversary of Katrina and the recovery efforts in New Orleans, singling out SBP as an effective post-disaster recovery model.
The Rothberg family group worked together doing mold remediation on the home of Gregory Williams who lives in New Orleans East, an area severely devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Much of the once-vibrant and closeknit community has not been rebuilt nearly four-plus years after the storm. The RothbergBirdwhistell family group met Williams and listened to the story of the incredible trials he endured because of his love for his hometown and his strong desire to return with his family and start anew.
"The degree of determination and sacrifice exhibited by Mr. Williams to return to New Orleans and reclaim his hard-earned home was profound indeed," Birdwhistell. "He was separated from his family for two years after he returned to New Orleans to re-gain a job, and to protect and begin repair efforts on his home. For four months he drove four hours a day roundtrip to his job in New Orleans, from where he lived with his daughter in her home in Baton Rouge. He lived alone in New Orleans for another year and six months in one rented room, with a public bathroom down the hall, while he did initial home repair work. Finally, he earned enough money to bring his family back to a rental unit in New Orleans. When Williams fell off the roof of his devastated home while working alone making repairs, the St Bernard's Project stepped in to help."
The Rothberg-Birdwhistell group also did carpentry and painting for a home in Meraux, LA, that was nearing completion.
Rothberg said he and his wife decided to volunteer because they wanted their son and his friends to experience the satisfaction and recognize the importance of giving back and helping others. They wanted to be a part of New Orleans' recovery, and in doing so, they and other volunteers made a lasting impact on the lives of Gregory Williams and his family. "We really encourage other families in our area to take a family trip together to help St. Bernard Project," noted Rothberg. "Ours was a very rewarding and fun experience to share together, and I am sure would be likewise for others."
Laticrete is a leading global manufacturer of innovative materials for the installation of tile and stone hard surfaces. Since 1956, Laticrete has been dedicated to being good corporate, social and environmental citizens at home in Connecticut as well as in every market they operate in around the world. With the full support of co-owners David and Henry Rothberg, Laticrete encourages employees to live healthy lifestyles and actively participate in community service. Through countless donations of products, time and community service, Laticrete has established a company-wide commitment to helping the less fortunate, participating in programs like the St. Bernard Project and other major rebuilding efforts around the globe.
The St. Bernard Project welcomes volunteers, from teenagers to seniors, as long as teenage volunteers under age 16 are accompanied by a responsible adult. Individuals, groups, or families can volunteer to help.
To learn more about volunteering contact Jen Kritch, Volunteer Coordinator, or email jen.kritch@stbernardproject.org.
To make a donation contact Catherine Lyons, SBP Marketing Coordinator, by phone at 916813-8030 or email catherine.lyons@stbernardproject.org.
About St. Bernard Project
The St. Bernard Project is a nationally lauded, nonprofit rebuilding organization that helps Katrina survivors rebuild their homes and lives. Using volunteer labor, the St. Bernard Project takes houses destroyed by hurricane and flooding damage and makes them livable again in fewer than 12 weeks with just $15,000 worth of building supplies. Since July 2006 when the project began in St. Bernard Parish, LA., SBP has rebuilt 264 homes with the assistance of more than 19,000 volunteers. SBP has expanded its rebuilding model into several areas of New Orleans, including the Lower 9th Ward, Gentilly and New Orleans East, and will replicate these services nationwide for post-disaster recovery. SBP has also opened a Community Wellness and Mental Health Center and has begun an Affordable Senior Housing Program to address unmet needs in the area. www.stbernardproject.org
Laticrete International, Inc. is a familyowned business dedicated to innovative, high quality tile and stone installation systems. Based in the USA, the 50-plus year old company is one of the world's leading manufacturers in its field. Its well-known brands Laticrete, Latapoxy and SpectraLOCK are manufactured and sold worldwide. In the USA or Canada call 1-800-243-4788, outside USA +1203-393-0010, www.laticrete.com
Laticrete Chairman/CEO David Rothberg (l) and his wife Nan Birdwhistell (r), the former First Selectwoman for the town of Woodbridge, CT, teamed with son Jason Rothberg (left center), his friend and classmate at Amity High School, Eliot Demelier (c) and their nephew Avi Meadow (right center), to answer President Barack Obama's call to help rebuild New Orleans, a city still recovering four years after the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.
"We really encourage other families in our area to take a family trip together to help St. Bernard Project," noted Rothberg. "Ours was a very rewarding and fun experience to share together, and I am sure would be likewise for others."
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