The Cameras Will Leave. We Won't. Here's What Happens Next.

An Update from Building A Better Avoyelles on the Flood Donations & Efforts

First, thank you.

Because of your generosity, Building A Better Avoyelles has raised more than $100,000 to help flood victims right here in Avoyelles Parish. We are humbled by the incredible support from our community and from people across Louisiana and beyond. We believe everyone who donates deserves to know exactly how their contributions are being used and what our plans are for the weeks and months ahead.

Since the flood, our volunteers and partners have been working every day to meet immediate needs. Together, we have:

• Served more than 300 flood victims with a community jambalaya meal in Plaucheville.
• Provided meals for displaced families staying in hotels and campers.
• Supplied a high-water vehicle that assisted with flood rescues and helped government personnel access flooded areas to document damage for disaster declarations.
• Developed computer applications to document flood damage and assist state officials with disaster declaration efforts.
• Used our media resources to share critical information about relief efforts, available supplies, insurance information, and recovery resources.
• Partnered with churches, faith-based organizations, nonprofits, and community groups to coordinate volunteers, supplies, and assistance.
• Coordinated and helped deliver more than 25 pallets of bottled water to distribution points throughout the parish.
• Facilitated the distribution of 100 commercial dehumidifiers and 200 fans to families working to dry out and save their homes.

These were the immediate needs. But now we’re entering what may be the most important phase of recovery.

In the coming weeks, many of the volunteer organizations that have been providing emergency assistance will return home. The debris will be picked up, the floodwaters will recede, and the news cameras will move on.

That’s when our work will truly begin.

Because Building A Better Avoyelles is local, we’re not leaving.

Our volunteers will continue going into the affected communities to quietly identify those who need help the most—our elderly neighbors, individuals with disabilities, families living on fixed incomes, and others who simply don’t have the financial means to rebuild their homes.

We’ll meet with these families privately, assess the damage, determine what materials are needed, help connect them with contractors or volunteer crews, and, when possible, help pay for those repairs so they can return to safe, livable homes.

This is local people helping local people.

One thing we’re especially proud of is this: 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to helping flood victims in Avoyelles Parish. We have zero administrative costs. No salaries. No one receives a paycheck from these donations. Every dollar stays right here to help our neighbors recover.

If you’d like to help us continue this mission, you can donate in either of the following ways:

Donate online via Venmo:
https://www.venmo.com/u/BuildingaBetterAvoyelles

Or drop off a cash or check donation at:
Building A Better Avoyelles
208 North Washington St.
Marksville, LA 71351

Recovery doesn’t end when the water goes down. For many families, that’s when the hardest part begins.

Together, we can make sure no one is left behind.

Thank you for helping us continue Building A Better Avoyelles.