When you come to New Orleans for EXPO and the APTA Annual Meeting, you can network. You can learn about the new political realities for transit. You can check out the newest public transit products and services.

However, there’s something else you can do that is equally if not more valuable: You can help rebuild homes that were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.

On Sept. 30 and Oct. 6, APTA members will join the St. Bernard Project (SBP) to work on homes being rebuilt. APTA volunteers will perform a variety of tasks—from painting and hanging drywall to installing insulation—and all that’s needed are enthusiasm and a willingness to help. Plus, SBP supervisors will be onsite to show you how it’s done.

All necessary supplies and equipment will be provided, but you should wear appropriate clothing (jeans and T-shirts you don’t mind getting messy) and bring work gloves. This volunteer effort will involve your time commitment from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; transportation will be provided to and from the work sites.

APTA’s business members are organizing the volunteer service day on Friday, Sept. 30, and all APTA members—and their families—are welcome to participate. We hope to have at least 100 public and private sector volunteers working that day. The business members are also planning to hold an activity that evening to bring all the volunteers together to celebrate their accomplishments.

A second opportunity to take part in this project will be on Thursday, Oct. 6, immediately following the conference, where again APTA hopes to have at least 100 volunteers.

Why does St. Bernard Parish need your help? Consider these numbers. Before Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the parish had 27,000 homes. After Katrina, none of those houses was inhabitable. To date, SBP has rebuilt more than 350 homes using volunteer labor—and has 45 more under construction.

Please note that volunteers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to space limitations, other volunteer opportunities may be offered once SBP reaches capacity.

To volunteer and participate in one—or both!—of APTA’s parish workdays in New Orleans, please register online.