Longaneckers/Lincoln Park Market Deliver Aid

to Hurricane Katrina Victims

Immediately after Hurricane Katrina devastated large parts of Mississippi and Louisiana, Bruce Longanecker began working with his wife's cousin to deliver aid to North Gulfport, Mississippi, one of the most affected areas where entire communities where destroyed in the disaster.

"We put a sign on one of the pallets of water that said ‘Heading for Mississippi — Hurricane Katrina'," Bruce said. "Customers asked us about it and said that they wanted to send things, too, and they began buying products in the store to send with us. Our business went through the roof."

When Bruce arrived in North Gulfport eight days after the hurricane, the people Longaneckers Deliver Aid to Katrina Victimsin the community had prepared for their arrival with a six-foot table. The Longaneckers' delivery, however, was made up of four full box trucks.

Mississippi State Senator Willie Simmons later called Bruce to thank him and offer his assistance in their endeavors. Bruce's next delivery to Mississippi was made up of two moving vans full of products.

"Ruby Moving & Storage in Chicago provided us with the trucks with the stipulation that we'd furnish the gas," Bruce said.

To assist with the recovery effort, Bruce flew to North Gulfport that Christmas and helped to re-roof 12 houses between Christmas and New Year's. Simultaneously, one of his friends was driving a truck loaded with 2,000 Christmas gifts for the victims of Katrina.

Bruce established a 503 C3 account for donations, which also went to help re-open Pass Christian School in Mississippi.

For his work for Katrina victims, Bruce was given the Saint Mary of the Woods Outstanding Humanitarian Award. In addition, Bruce was named Businessperson of the Year by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce in 2006. In 1997, his company was named Small Business of the Year by the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce.