A SHOW OF WARMTH FOR LOCAL
KATRINA EVACUEES

(Big Bend, Wisconsin) – The days get shorter, the landscape color gradually changes, mornings get nippy and, as Wisconsinites, we hang on to every last day of warmth we can. Imagine being from the South, let’s say Louisiana, and facing a fast-approaching Wisconsin winter. A chilling thought for our newest warm weather residents, nearly 200 people, some of the last people to be transported out of Louisiana after Katrina hit.

Since their arrival in Wisconsin, one week after the Katrina flood waters consumed their homes, they have been under temporary residency in the Tommy Thompson Center on the State Fair grounds in West Allis, WI. FEMA, Red Cross and local agencies are working hard to relocate Katrina evacuees to available housing in the area. With no home to go back to, and access to their hometowns unlikely for the foreseeable future, beginning a life in Wisconsin is a viable option for most. With many challenges ahead, bundling up for the winter is now one less thing they have to worry about . . . thanks to the teamwork of some local businesses.

“When Jim Patterson, a long-time McDonald’s client and friend, called me and asked me to get involved, I jumped at the chance. It was our (Peter Schwabe, Inc.’s) turn to help at this grass roots level,” noted Dan Schwabe, president and owner of Peter Schwabe, Inc. After a dinner Patterson provided for the evacuees at his Rock ‘n Roll McDonald’s on 76th Street in Greenfield, a second event including free pizza and winter clothing was planned for Monday evening, October 10th.

Pizza’s were donated by Anne’s Pizza in Hales Corners and the winter clothing items were donated by Peter Schwabe, Inc. According to Jeff Neumann, Peter Schwabe, Inc.’s vice president of construction, “At first it was all about outfitting the 60 children with full winter clothing, but as we understood the level of need, we couldn’t help but give more.” At the October 10th event, 235 coats, hats and gloves were donated by Peter Schwabe, Inc. to Katrina evacuees. Children also received boots.

Peter Schwabe, Inc. is a general contractor and design/build construction firm serving various segments of the real estate development industry and other markets including commercial office, retail, restaurant, banking, industrial and religious facilities. Since 1927, Peter Schwabe, Inc. has provided construction services to clients locally, in the Midwest, and throughout the country.