A Port in the Katrina Storm

    In only three years, the Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach has become a very special place to the thoroughbred community, a haven of immense benefit to high-strung racehorses.
    It became a very special place to the human community late last summer.
    Hurricane Katrina first made U.S. landfall on the east coast of South Florida, arriving as a Category 1 on Aug. 25.
    “When Katrina came here (at Palm Meadows) it blew over three trees and I thought that would be the last I would hear of it,” said Gary Van den Broek, General Manager of Palm Meadows.
    It regenerated in the Gulf of Mexico and, shortly after slamming into the New Orleans area Aug. 29, it would become the most destructive and costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
    Telecasts brought scenes of the devastation to viewers all over the world. One of those viewers was Frank Stronach, Chairman of Magna Entertainment Corp.
    “He called me that Friday night,” said Mr. Van den Broek. “He asked me how I was doing. He mentioned that we hadn’t talked in a while. And he said, by the way, ‘You’re going to be getting some people Sunday.’”
    As they spoke, plans were being finalized that would bring 270 evacuees from New Orleans to Palm Meadows. It would be the job of Mr. Van den Broek and his staff to provide comfortable lodgings.
    Quickly.
     “We spent thousands of dollars at Wal-Mart and Costco the next day, buying sheets, pillow cases, soap, … everything we thought these people would need,” he said.

  “Televisions, vouchers for laundry service, phone cards. It was amazing. And the community here really rallied behind these people. Some people even tried to donate cars.”
    More than 100 evacuees, many of whom referred to themselves as “storm people,” boarded a plane in Montgomery, Ala., bound for Palm Beach International Airport. The remaining people would be brought into the state in buses, but driving and relocating hurricane victims into a state that itself is prone to hurricanes brought some concerns to the bureaucracy.
    “Dealing with all that political stuff was really overwhelming,” Mr. Van den Broek said, “but the Red Cross did a wonderful job looking after their on-site needs.
    “Many people and organizations helped out. The United Way helped get the kids enrolled into school and also distributed donated items and found jobs for the evacuees. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Department provided security, Palm Tran provided transportation and the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Dept. provided after-school activities.

    "And the evacuees were great. They looked after themselves. Our hearts really went out to them. Some of these people (before coming to Palm Meadows) never had air conditioning in their lives.”
    He estimated that 50% were 50 years old or older; some came with families while others were by themselves.
    Mary Birch, a volunteer with the Red Cross, became acquainted with every one of the evacuees and said about 20 were younger than 10 years old.
    “These are such good people and you can’t help but get emotional,” she said. “I try very hard not to show it, not to ‘lose it’ in front of them.”
    They received three square meals a day and diversions included food and drink vouchers, tickets and transportation to Marlin and Dolphin games. Dolphin star Jason Taylor was a visitor to Palm Meadows and became a favorite with staff and volunteers as well as evacuees.
    For their part, the evacuees and their family members have been generous in their gratitude.
    One story left an impact on Mr. Van den Broek.
    Stuart Brown was 95 when he and his neighbor, Wilhelmina Kaiser, also in her 90s, were plucked, holding hands, from his home by rescuers. They made it to Palm Meadows, where they continued to keep one another company until Mr. Brown died in his sleep a few days after arrival. Mrs. Kaiser went on to Mississippi to live with friends and family.
    Joyce Brown, the wife of Mr. Brown’s grandson, wrote a letter to MEC and Palm Meadows that said, in part, “We are so grateful for what you did for him. Your generosity and graciousness will never be forgotten. You are all angels.”
    Mr. Van den Broek said, “I still get goose bumps when I think of it.”
    As part of the process to return the evacuees back home, Mr. Stronach purchased land in Simmesport, La., northwest of Baton Rouge. In a spot of land nicknamed “Magnaville” by locals, he has bought homes that will house the evacuees, thereby easing them into the relocation process.
Angela Mason, one of the evacuees who spent time at Palm Meadows, became part of that community.
    “We were picked up by an angel,” she told the Palm Beach Post. “The man is giving us this out of the goodness of his heart.”
    The community, located northwest of Baton Rouge near the Mississippi border, is near a branch of Louisiana State University. Plans are to raise angus cattle and to grow organic vegetables.
    “Some people would compare it to a monastic experience,” said Dennis Mills, executive vice chairman, Magna Entertainment Corp., and Vice Chairman, MI Developments.
    “Once people see this thing set up, it’s going to be a model of dignity and hope. This is just one candle we’re lighting.”