1/8/06 - out of state Our very first, and extremely touching testimonial ... "Thank you so much for what y'all are doing. I discovered this project reading nola.com. My mom is repairing her house off Napoeon and Claiborne while staying with my cousin in River Ridge (after a four month "visit" with me!), and she saw y'all on Saturday and even talked to a few of you. Sat. nite mom called me to say how impressed and grateful she was. She said the avenue looked so beautiful when you were done, and (I quote), "It looked so clean, and like someone actually cared about it and loved it."   My mom is 76 and a life long resident of NOLA. She's been in her house 53 years. Katrina and its aftermath are killing her, but she is going back because (I think) the emotional trauma of leaving would be worse than the physical risk of staying. Other people would think her attitude is crazy, but maybe some americans don't know what it means to "care about and love" a place, a location, a city, a way of life. Your work and that of your volunteers will not only produce obvious tangible results, it will help the people who want to return to NOLA survive emotionally as well. Mom was energized Sat. nite and upbeat. Thank you. You did that too when you did your cleaning."

10/02/07- in state
"It is an honor witnessing people turn disaster into pure, good, works for positive change of an entire community!  The city needs your Krewe!"

10/01/07 - local
"New Orleans is so very fortunate to have leaders like you who jumped right in and really made a difference.  Your early leadership shaped the beginning of our recovery and you continue to give New Orleanians a reason to be proud. I wish Katrina Krewe continued success."

9/23/07- local
7/16/07 - out of state
"All of us who care for NOLA and her citizens are so grateful for your organization!"

5/11/07 - in state
"I just wanted to let you know how much your work has meant to so many people.  You all have done a tremendous job at helping a city that is so in need of help. You are still in our thoughts and prayers!"

3/8/07- local
"Katrina Krewe has made a huge impact in the on-going recovery of New Orleans.  If we had more citizens in every community of Louisiana with guts on the magnitude of Katrina Krewe, we would be living in the best State of the Union!"

3/8/07- local
"We don't just change - we are Inspired to Change.  Thanks for inspiring so many who came in Katrina's path."

3/1/07 - local

12/19/06- local
"Thanks again for all you continue to do to make New Orleans a place to call home!"

11/15/06- Australian who spent 5 days in the Superdome
"I wanted to say thankyou to you for allowing me to come and participate and to hear some of the amazing stories of others... it was a truly inspirational day for me! You have done an amazing job in creating Katrina Krewe and there is no doubt that the Krewe had an amazing affect on the city... even finding the footpath underneath the pile of dirt we were shovelling was such a wonderful feeling!"

10/28/06- out of state
10/19/06 - local
"Seeing people like you in action over the past year has been significant for our children.  I hope it helps guide them and form them for their lifetime."

10/7/06 - out of state
"We're so happy to have been able to help; accolades to you and group for organizing."

9/20/06- local
"Katrina Krewe went to my boys' school last week, and I have to tell you what a big hit it was!! My kids both came home SO excited about cleaning up the city. The program is fabulous, and the other moms also said their kids are excited about it. Kudos to the Katrina Krewe for getting it together, because it's a terrific thing. My kids are now picking up trash everywhere we go, and they hung the car litter bag on my steering wheel and they really use it."

9/13/06- local
"My neighbor told me how much her son enjoyed the Keep it Klean skit at school.  A bag of garbage broke yesterday and the garbage men just left it behind.  When he got home from school, he put on his "Keep it Klean" t-shirt and picked up all the garbage in the street." KK SIDENOTE: this also reminds us not to pack our garbage bags so heavy that they might bust, making it difficult for the garbage men to do their jobs.

9/13/06- local

9/13/06- out of state

9/13/06- local (northshore)
"I am from Mandeville and was able to attend many of the clean-ups.  The experience is something that I will always remember and treasure.  I know that you have received many thank yous, but a thank you that I received while working one day with the Katrina Krewe still moves me and I want to pass it on to you.  I was cleaning across the street from you and the others when you were working on the big pile on Basin and a man, who appeared to be extremely poor, approached me.  With tears in his eyes, he began to thank me for what we were doing.  He was truly moved.  I was not prepared for what he did next.  He reached into his pocket and grabbed the only two crumpled dollar bills in his pocket and offered them to me.  He told me to use the money to buy a water at the store on the corner.  I was speechless and still tear up thinking about it.  His appreciation and generosity will always remind me of the true spirit of the people in New Orleans.  Whenever anyone tells me a horrible story that they have heard on the news about New Orleans, I tell them about this wonderful man. He truly humbled this “Northshore soccer mom” and taught me so much about the goodness in people…and the good in New Orleans.Thank you for giving us the opportunity to lift the spirits of this man and so many others." 

8/29/06- out of state
"You've all been such a great support to the city - and such a source of hope, the power of the people to join forces and make a difference against seemingly insurmountable obstacles."

8/24/06- local
"Thank you for all you have done for our city - the Katrina Krewe is amazing and will always be remembered for "cleaning" a path for us to come home!  Many of us felt so helpless, but being able to pick up a broom, rake and garbage bag to clean up our City - extending to neighborhoods outside our own - gave us a feeling of helping bring New Orleans back."

8/24/06- local
8/24/06 - out of state
"Thanks to your krewe for creating a project that those of us that do not live in your city, but love the city as our own, could find a way to pitch in. The most powerful leadership is one by example. Your team is proving the truth of this."

8/5/06 - out of state
"Thank you for having such a wonderful organization. An organization that lets our lives interconnect in such a rewarding way. Thank you for all that you do. New Orleans will come back with people like you."

7/12/06 - local
"Thank you so much for what you all are doing and all that you have done. You are truly heroes and responsible in my opinion for electrifying so many in your call to action. I personally thank you for being visionaries and pioneers in this vast wasteland we call home. One day, because of people like you, things will be normal again."

6/30/06 - out of state

6/26/06 - local
"I just want to say a really big THANK YOU! to the crew who cleaned Ursulines Avenue last Saturday! It really lifted our spirits and gave us such a sense that someone cares. To look out and see dozens of people who don't even know us, stooping and bending in the mid-day heat, was a miracle! Thank you, thank you, thank you!  We're proud of our neighborhood, and now it looks like a place to be proud of again."

5/16/06 - TIMES PICAYUNE EDITORIAL - Dewey and Julie Knudson

VOLUNTEERS TEACH A VITAL LESSON....

If New Orleans hopes ever to recover, it will be largely because of people like Becky Zaheri and the Katrina Krewe.

As two of the hundreds of Katrina Krewe clean-up volunteers, we were inspired and motivated by Ms. Zaheri and the other dedicated committee members. When we signed in each morning before starting to do our little part to clean the city, the committee members never failed to thank us for participating. They made sure we knew our efforts had value; our contributions, however limited, were part of something larger.

For the past several months, the Katrina Krewe has helped clean up St. Claude and Carrollton, Gentilly and Lakeview, Tchoupitoulas and North Claiborne, Broadmoor and Marigny. But ultimately, as Ms. Zaheri says, "It's going to take every citizen doing their part to make a long-term difference."

That simple truth may be Katrina Krewe's biggest contribution to the recovery of the city.

5/15/2006 - out of state
"Not only do you feel as if you're tangibly helping, you get a MUCH better sense of what an overwhelming task lies ahead for these folks. I really give them high praise for what they're doing, and gratitude for giving short-term visitors the opportunity to pitch in. I'd urge anyone who goes to New Orleans (and heck, I'd urge everyone to go to New Orleans) to consider donating a few hours of their vacation to Katrina Krewe. "

5/13/06 - local
"I want to thank you for giving me and so many others the opportunity to make a difference in our city since the storm. "

5/12/06 - local

5/05/06 - out of state
"Another kind of walk, Saturday morning, through a low-income neighborhood, picking up trash, glove-handing the decaying detritus of a fast-food nation, a mixture of twisted toys, rotted sneakers, bottles long empty of their mood-seeking juices, a dead cat. We are looking down more than up, wondering if our participation was merely racial role-reversal; or whether the “Katrina Krewe” might be a new chemistry of community across geography and class and race, something more than a pause in practices that had roots sunk deep and out of sight?"

5/02/06 - local
The Katrina Krewe has really done well, you are true New Orleanians...congratulations!!!!!

4/30/2006 - Local Times Pic Celebrity Chris Rose's comments in an Anniston Star interview
Brennan: You write about a lot of things that upset you, a lot of negativity that our city is suffering from. Is there anything positive that you have observed?
Rose: Yes, the Uptown soccer moms. They will look you in the face in jeans or work clothes. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have your house or your car or your job. It is very difficult living here. [But] they weren’t like, “Woe is me.” They got up and did it themselves... The Katrina Krewe set the model for civic engagement in this town. [The Katrina Krewe is a citizens’ group that cleans up the streets of New Orleans every Wednesday and Saturday. Hundreds participate every week.]

4/17/06 - out of state
"I was in New Orleans with my mother over the weekend (I'm from New York City, she is from Florida). We volunteered on Saturday the 15th on Calliope. It was certainly very rewarding hard work. I just wanted to thank you for all that you guys are doing. If I lived there believe me I would be a regular. Hopefully the great city of New Orleans will be back and better than ever...a few blocks at a time!"

4/16/2006 - out of state
"You stay classy, Katrina Krewe!"

4/14/06 - local
"I wanted to take a few minutes to express a heart-felt THANK YOU for all the work you have done to help clean up this city. Your effort has had many positive effects beyond merely picking up litter. There are too many to mention here, but I must express one:  The Katrina Krewe taught us that you don't have to be "big government" or a big company to make a big difference in a community. Thank you for helping rekindle the pioneer "working-together" spirit that built this great country and for helping restore a sense of pride in our community and in ourselves. Hurricane Katrina may have knocked us down and our government agencies may have let us down, but the Katrina Krewe did a damned fine job of helping us get back up."

4/13/06  - out of state highschool student
"Being able to have the opportunity to help clean New Orleans is one I will never forget. It has already had an impact on my life and I am ready to encourage everyone to help out in whatever way possible."

4/06/06 - local
"I truly appreciate all of your efforts in cleaning up the city.  It's a daunting task but it is making a huge difference. "

4/05/06 - local
"I saw your crew out working this morning on Earhart on my way into work this morning.   I am one that lost my home and everything else, so I totally appreciate all the work that is being done around the City of New Orleans.  It really makes me cry to see all the devotion to help us out in this time of need."

3/29/06 - local 8yr old volunteer
"Throwing trash on the ground is mean.
The grass wants to be green.
Litter is picked up by kids, parents, and teens.
So, remember keep it clean!

Piles of garbage we can slash
by picking up the trash.
Our city we will not bash.
Please, don’t make more trash!

We pick up the trash to get a better view.
New Orleans can be like new.
You can help, too.
Join the Katrina Krewe!"

3/29/06 - out of state
"We are a high school group from Orlando Florida.  We worked with several volunteer organizations throughout the week and feel that you guys were the most organized and we got the most accomplished working with you.  Thank you for letting us help you!"

3/26/06 - out of state
"We had a group this past week who came to join other volunteers with your organized clean up project. We all felt satisfied that our contributions made a difference in the appearance of the neighborhood, and thus the health and spirit of those who live nearby or travel through the areas impacted by your program."

3/19/06 - out of state
"Tell everyone they are not forgotten, there are so many of us that care... :) "

3/15/06 - local
"The Katrina Krewe has been such a success in not only getting the city cleaned up, but in forging new sentiment for taking responsibility, generating civic pride and appreciating what volunteerism can accomplish."

3/11/06 - local school student
"I am a student, and I was just writing to let you know how much this organization means to the city and thank you for putting in so much time on it. I also am writing to ask you to keep me up to date with clean up meetings so I could help out. I would love to be part of the Katrina Krewe."

3/9/06 - local
"On a personal note I need to tell you that this has been the most fulfilling volunteer effort in which I have participated.  I have met new people and feel that our efforts are a great contribution to the recovery of the city."

3/9/06 - local
"The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it." - Elbert Hubbard

3/6/06 - local
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  - Margaret Mead

"We have a choice to use the gift of our lives to make the world a better place." - Jane Goodall

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."- Mahatma Gandhi

2/20/06 - local
"You all are doing such an admirable and excellent job!"

"I drive down Airline every day, and yesterday, I did it with tears in my eyes.  You work miracles!  The street looks so much better!  There is hope that New Orleans will be OK after all.  Keep up the good work!"

98% of my Family lives between Napoleonville and Pascagoula, and I have many friends from the New Orleans area that have been scattered to the four corners of the U.S. by Katrina. You and your group are to be applauded for your efforts, and I will support you in any way I can. "