Chapter Foundation Stories

Meg Baird explains her personal story of Hurricane Katrina

Around 11:00 pm on Saturday, August 27, 2005, I fled my house as Hurricane Katrina threatened to storm into my hometown of New Orleans.  I packed a light bag and got any important documents I had along with my jewelry.  Usually, we always came home after a hurricane scare, but for some reason I knew this one was different.  For six weeks, we didn’t know what our house looked like or if there was anything left to be saved. Unfortunately, nothing was salvageable. 

 Fortunately, though, we were flooded with help from several different places: FEMA, Red Cross, friends, GEP and MPI.  As a member of MPI, I was reminded that the MPI Foundation money was available to me in this time of crisis. I received a check for $250 from MPI that I was able to use for basic necessities such as clothes, undergarments and shoes.  

 After Hurricane Katrina, I moved to Nashville and got involved with Tennessee’s MPI Chapter.  Since I received aid from MPI during one of the most devastating times of my life, I wanted to give back to the foundation that helped me.  I joined the board of MPI:TN as the Tennessee Chapter Liaison for the MPI Foundation.  Not only did the MPI Foundation help me in a time of need, the foundation also offers assistance to those in need during other devastating events.

I appreciate any time and financial contributions you can provide to help continue the goodwill of this foundation. 

Thank you,  

Meg E. Baird, CMP, DMCP
Senior Sales Manager
Destination Nashville