Father, daughter team helps oil victims

BAYOU LA BATRE, Alabama (WALA) - Folks all over the world have seen the devastating effects of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster, but for families involved in the fishing and shrimping industries in Bayou la Batre, the oil spill changed their way of life.

BPSOS, a non-profit organization, is assisting folks in the Vietnamese community through this tough time.

"We serve Southeast Asian families and individuals primarily Vietnamese and 40,000 Vietnamese people live across the Gulf Coast and 80 percent of them have been affected by the oil spill crisis," said Grace Scire, BPSOS.

Daniel Stoner helped with Gulf Coast recovery after Hurricane Katrina, and he said he wanted to show his daughter, Elizabeth, how it feels to help people affected by a disaster. That's why they traveled from Kansas City to the Bayou.

"I want to give to her the gift of giving. I want to be that type of parent that lives by example," Stoner said.

The father-daughter team will be in Bayou la Batre until Friday teaching meditation and relaxation classes, and computer classes. During their time here they will also be handing out school supplies to those in need.

"I went in and bought about I think 38 cases of composition books, 20 cases of notebook paper 500 pencils and pens, we just started buying and we filled the car and the cargo carrier up and drove down," said Stoner.

And, their efforts are appreciated.

"She says it helps a lot because she's unemployed because of the oil spill and when she can save here and there it helps pay for other things," said Phuong Khuu.

"I want the community to know that we're with them, our hearts are with them and we have to work together," Stoner said.

Just because the well head is capped, doesn't mean the problems caused by the oil spill have ended.

BPSOS has helped the Vietnamese community communicate and express their needs to BP officials over the past few months.