Theo Harvey, a Christwood resident and one of the longtime recreational fishermen of Delacroix, with volunteer assistance and financial support from other Christwood residents and staff, has led the project, “Delacroix-To-Go,” preparing boxes of everyday staples for delivery to the families of the island. Every other week Mr. Harvey and other residents load SUVs for a road trip to Delacroix. Thus far, Christwood residents have made three trips of 30 boxes each (one for each returning Delacroix family) filled with essential dry goods such as coffee, cans of creamy red beans, rice, quick grits, fresh fruit, boxed milk, paper towels and other various and sundry items.
Dozens of Christwood residents participate by packing boxes and/or sponsoring families with monetary contributions. The Delacroix Island residents have no nearby shopping facilities, and limited resources, so Christwood residents hope this initiative will help the Delacroix residents transition back to a normal way of life.
In addition, Mr. Harvey enlisted the help of the Home Depot to provide materials to construct an air conditioned washateria. The home improvement retailer has donated a wooden shed with windows and air conditioning that will serve as a complimentary washateria for the residents in Delacroix. Christwood has furnished two new washers and dryers, and the plumbing and electrical work should be completed within days. Once finished, the building will be open to the residents for self-serve laundry service and will be run by the Parish of St. Bernard. This has been a cooperative effort of private citizens, local business, and Parish officials.
Donations for both projects are welcomed and are tax deductible. Checks may be made payable to “Christwood”. Please include “Delacroix Island” in the memo line and send to 100 Christwood Blvd., Covington, LA 70433 ATTN: Delacroix.
Pictured with Christwood resident Theo Harvey ( left) and Christwood Plant Operations Manager Sam Fitzmorris are Christwood residents Tom McMurry, Bill Cousins, Ralph Pass and Dr. Chuck Caraway standing at the entrance to the new Delacroix Washateria.
Pictured are Tom McMurry, Theo and Barbara Harvey and Ralph Pass ready to embark on one of several road trips to Delacroix.
Pictured are Christwood residents Bill Cousins, Tom McMurry, Ruth Fischer, Sarah Jané, Chuck Caraway, Marion Johannsson, Ralph Pass, John and Cathy Parmley, Harrie Hayden, and Don Lindquist, who packed boxes of groceries headed for Delacroix residents.