HOUMA –Trucks filled with melting ice, pallets of rotting watermelons and storerooms stacked with untouched candy and furniture won 't be part of this storm-relief equation, according to a Houma business owner who helped form a new storm-recovery group. The waste witnessed after hurricanes Katrina and Rita inspired Mike Duplantis, owner of Mike 's Steak House and Bogwalk Seafood in Houma, and family and friends to start their own hurricane-relief efforts.The new group, the Windstrong Foundation, aims to deliver immediate help tailored to the differing and changing needs of local residents affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, he said.

I 've got a focus and a goal here and it 's to take care of my people, Duplantis said.

That means direct, instant help without applications, regulations or other lengthy processes, he said.

Our goal is to hit every person affected, he said.

Duplantis and his wife, Teresa, started Windstrong after Hurricane Gustav made landfall in Terrebonne Parish on Sept. 1. The organization became a corporation Monday and has received temporary nonprofit status while waiting for final approval as a nonprofit.

Windstrong kicked into gear Monday by delivering items to people in need, mostly cleaning supplies, water and canned food to residents in flood-ravaged southern Terrebonne Parish.

The group also began taking orders for their all-white and red-and-white rubber arm bands, featuring the word Windstrong, a play on cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong 's yellow Livestrong bracelets.

Windstrong bracelets are available for $3 and $5 each, with all proceeds benefiting local storm victims.

It 's amazing how many people do want to help, Duplantis said. It 's been phenomenal.
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