Press Release

Katrina Victims Celebrate & Make New Home in the Poconos

Three months ago, the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Brooks were forced to leave their lives behind in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina shredded their home and belongings, and as a result, the couple, along with their 10-year-old son Derek and 4-year-old daughter Reanna, moved to the Poconos to start new lives. When the couple arrived, the community immediately embraced them with the hope of getting the family back on their feet. Marneen Zahavi of Bayside, New York, has been gracious enough to donate his home to the Brooks’, where they will live rent-free for the next six months. Neighbors in the Monroe Lakes community have also been helping the family stock their house with everyday necessities. Currently, both of the soon-to-be Brooks' are employed at the Stroud Mall and are adjusting nicely to their new life in the Poconos.

Despite their relatively smooth recovery, one piece of the couple's puzzle has not yet been replaced. Before the hurricane, the couple was anxiously making plans to get married in the upcoming months. Although these plans were foiled by the storm, the Brooks' are very excited to announce that they will be celebrating their matrimony on Friday, December 23 rd. The ceremony will take place at the Stroudsburg Wesleyan Church on Rt. 191 at 5:30pm, with a small reception to follow.

Upon hearing the news of the couple's celebration, The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort took the opportunity to offer the Brooks' a complementary stay in their Executive Cedar House. This newly renovated cottage features a master bedroom with a king size bed, sitting area and spacious master bath with Jacuzzi. Other features include a living room complete with fireplace and entertainment center, and a separate study that is furnished with a workstation, computer, printer, high-speed Internet and photo/fax scanner. Despite the resort's busy holiday reservations, the staff at the Shawnee Inn was quite eager to lend a hand to the very deserving family. Located adjacent to the resort, Sam Snead's Tavern also pitched in by donating a dinner to the Brooks' on their wedding night. "I was fortunate to do some hands on volunteer work in Biloxi, Mississippi, and it would be an honor to help welcome this couple to their new home in the Poconos," says Jon Kirkwood, owner of Sam Snead's Tavern.