On May 20, Matthew Templon, Son of Rod and Michelle Templon, Grandson of Joyce Templon Anderson and Great Grandson of Eleanor Snavely Smith Siebert, graduated from Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Matt received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He is currently in Kiln, Mississippi (population 2,040) about 50 miles from New Orleans, serving as a coordinator for a volunteer work camp program assisting in Hurricane Katrina cleanup and rebuilding. It's a challenging job, as you can tell from the following email:
"Hey Mom and Dad,
Things are going swell down here in Mississippi. It has taken Dan (Matt's friend and fellow-Marquette grad) and I a little while to get on our feet and start to realize our full responsibilities. We are the volunteer coordinators for the camp, and thus need to place all those who come to the camp in the correct spot for the work day. Coming in blind to this was not the best, because we had (a) no idea that this would be our job, and (b) no idea about the 150 different sites that the camp is working on currently. Quickly we would figure out the progress of each house, and know where to put skilled and unskilled volunteers, and what they might be able to accomplish. Mind you that these jobs down here range from anything from laying out the foundation -- which means digging 15 3ftx2ft holes in a yard -- to finishing the fixtures inside a house. It certainly is a challenge and something that we are still trying to get down to an exact science. Sometimes though you can not have a mathematical equation for everything that is going on, but rather need to take a deep breath, go with the flow, and have plenty of back-ups in place if need be.
Like you previously said Mom: "it's hot down [here]", but luckily I feel prepared. Although this is the case, we really have not had to work out in the heat that much. Our base camp is set-up in an air conditioned building and we have been working out of there for the majority of the time. Today (Thursday) was different as a good chunk of the day was spent outside moving dirt and building a mound that would eventually turn into a wheelchair ramp with concrete, after some of my great engineering. I was so fortunate today to work with 7 young females from Missouri to help move the dirt, and boy was it a treat. They were great in helping to move the dirt and are excited about the framing of the ramp tomorrow. They reminded me of Megan (Matt's sister), but a little bit more mature. It was fun to be with them.
There is so much destruction down here; I guess I just never realized that scope of that hurricane. I am glad to be down here making a difference, and helping out. The other staff members are really nice, and fun people and we get along really well. This past Tuesday we played cabbage ball against some other relief volunteers. Out team is alright, as we lost our first game, and won our second. Cabbage ball is just a large softball that is softer than normal, and can be easily caught without a glove, which is good considering no one uses them. I hope to send pictures soon; that is as soon as I get time to go around with my camera. I also hope to continually keep you all informed. My emails will be sporadic, just like my internet.
Love Always,
Matt"
