The Nation's Worst disaster started for Mississippi August 28, 2005, when Hurricane Katrina made her presence known, as the worse side of the Hurricane hit the Mississippi Gulf Coast. It did not stop there; it hit as a Category four and exited the North of The State as a Category one. This disaster was and still is indescribable!  The loss of lives, property, a way of life will be felt for years, that is, if you ever get over something this traumatic. SOMS was lucky that all of our Athletes, Coaches, and Volunteers survived, but some lost everything of materialistic nature including homes and livelihood. Their hurt and distress will go on for years but as one Area Director said we will make it with a lot of help, understanding, and prayers.

The SOMS Athletes in Regional Centers & Group Homes (in the southern part of the State) were moved North and will get back as soon as things are rebuilt and/or repaired and the same goes for the Athletes that still live at home. Until then, in trying to get a "sort of normal atmosphere" back in their lives we are trying, in 2006, to let them train and compete wherever they are located in the State.

A large number of our Volunteers from the Coast and Pine Belt Areas are displaced and/or trying to rebuild as are the majority of our Sponsors. Donations are going to the rebuilding of our Coast, the Pine Belt and points North, as they should be .. So, non-profits, such as SOMS will be on the back burner for a while and this is why we are having to re-think and refigure 2006 as it goes along, almost on a monthly basis. We hope everyone understands and if you have any questions or have comments, please call SOMS Office in Madison at (601) 856-7748.

Thanks to all that have called and cared about our State and the SOMS Athletes' Program and for the ones that have continued to donate to this cause we thank you in more ways that you will ever know!