Bristow holds a special welcome for a Katrina evacuee family

Many Oklahomans watched news coverage about Hurricane Katrina and wondered how we could help those left with nothing. Some gave money, some gave in other ways. <br/><br/>News on 6 anchor Tami Marler

Tuesday, September 20th 2005, 9:59 am

By: News On 6

Many Oklahomans watched news coverage about Hurricane Katrina and wondered how we could help those left with nothing. Some gave money, some gave in other ways.

News on 6 anchor Tami Marler goes to Bristow, where Katrina survivors are finding a community to call home.

The Bristow Place Apartments are a far cry from the temporary shelter the Landry's and Downy's shared with others displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Jane Landry: "Gonna be like heaven. Not sharing a bathroom with 13 people." A fully furnished, donated apartment is also a far cry from their Louisiana home when Katrina hit. "We were hard-headed. We stayed and we rode it out. Something I would never go through again, 'cause it was scary. Especially with all the water.â€

Shannon Martin says ten or fifteen Bristow Place tenants worked for four days, gathering furniture and other donations, to help the Downys and Landrys make a new start after they lost everything. Jane Landry says they could have lost so much more. "I was just glad to be with my kids. Because they were up here and they didn't think they were ever going to see their mama again."

Chrys Landry thought the flood waters literally took everything from him, until he finally located his two sons Monday night. His new home is just icing on the cake. "I got a good night's sleep last night after I found my kids. But tonight, it'll be great. I guess we're still in shock because of the help that people give us in Oklahoma. I mean, they've been unbelievable. I don't think we can thank 'em enough."

Jane Landry: "We don't need their thank you, but just knowing that there's someone that appreciates it, that makes me feel very good. I didn't want to give it to someone who'd take advantage, and to see the tears come to their eyes made me feel totally overjoyed."

They're crying tears of joy in their new home in Bristow, a far cry from the sorrow left behind by Hurricane Katrina. The Bristow Place Apartments are providing two furnished apartments for families displaced by Katrina.

If you'd like to help, you can call Shannon Martin at 918-367-1300. More than 70 Katrina evacuees are living in Bristow.