By Eleanor Boswell- Raine, Globe Editor

Last Sunday morning the congregation of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church had “A Day of Celebration and Appreciation” as Reverend Frank Pinkard Jr. presented the key to a newly refurbished and furnished house to a family of Katrina survivors.
    Tamya Spencer and her two children gratefully accepted the gift of one year’s occupancy and assistance with utilities.
    Like thousands of others, Tamya and her young children fled from the devastation of Katrina, going first to Houston and ultimately to California. After her arrival Tamya found work, put her oldest child in school and, after interviewing with the Evergreen Katrina project representatives, was selected to occupy a house next door to Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church just in time to be able to celebrate Christmas and appreciate a heaven-sent gift.
    The story of the Evergreen congregation and their desire to provide material as well as spiritual assistance to Katrina survivors is a touching one; many people contributed their skills, labor, spirits and love. In addition to congregation members who worked to prepare Tomya’s house, local residents also pitched in.
    Amy Dawson of “Rebuilding Together” said, “We can work together working through our heartbreak, our outrage and grief to help.”
    To date “Rebuilding Together” has helped prepare homes for eight Katrina families in the San Francisco Bay Area; their goal is to help 1,000.
    Dawson added, “Katrina is not newsworthy any more, but [the survivors] need our help.”
  
    Richard Spencer, a contractor, served as the House Captain for Evergreen’s project. While Spencer donated his construction time and skills, his son and his friends from Berkeley High donated labor. Students from UC Berkeley also joined their team. Spencer said, “…perhaps we can be one nation under God right here.”
    During the service, Greg Tomassian from “Cash For Cars” stepped forward with the keys to a donated car for the Spencer family. He said, “…these events can only be overcome by the actions of the many, not the few.”
    Among the many organizations and businesses that assisted with Evergreen’s effort were Catholic Charities, the Grand Lake Kwanzaa Club, Expo Design, City National Bank, Truitt and White, Anderson Carpet, Simmons Glass, Glazers Union Apprentice, Carpet and Vinyl, and UC Berkeley International Students.
    Representative Barbara Lee sent her aid, Sandra Andrews, who presented a plaque.