Many individuals wanted to help those on the Gulf Coast, but did not have the capacity to physically travel there. The idea of organizing community woodworkers to contribute to the recovery effort from home was met with overwhelming enthusiasm.

    The Western PA Table Project started as a diverse group of volunteers who shared a love of woodworking and a desire to learn by building dining tables for Katrina survivors. 

   The project began in February 2008, and the first 100 tables were delivered to New Orleans in July 2008. The gratitude of the recipients was heart-warming. What started out as a small gift to the people of New Orleans, was suddenly becoming much larger. So many people have had all of their earthly possessions destroyed by hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods .... what about them?