T&P&C to all the TE'rs in the Katrina area

[KSH]

I could go on and on about how horrific this situation is, and how poorly our government is reacting to it.

To think that people are dying in NO from starvation and dehydration is just plain ridiculous.

I have been sad, pissed off, frustrated... etc... etc... all day. If I could drive to NO and put some of them in my car, I would (but they won't let people go into NO to help!).

I would like to say that I am very proud of living in a state... TEXAS... where we have opened our hearts and homes to the people fleeing NO. There are many stories of people taking strangers into their houses to live for as long as they need to stay. Not to mention that Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and Huntsville... giving these people a place to sleep, eat and shower.

Now, if we could just get everyone out of NO. Other states are offering assistance... trying to get help there... but nothing seems to be happening quick enough. Just horrible.

[emily_in_nc]

And more for those who love our furry friends: Noah's Wish has a temporary shelter set up in Slidell, LA http://www.noahswish.org/ The news story is heartwarming. Hopefully what we start hearing on the other fronts starts getting heartwarming soon too!

Thanks LBTC ~ I just Paypal'd a donation to Noah's Wish. I feel so much better reading about what they are doing to help the animals affected by this tragedy.

Emily

[shewhobikes]

In Birmingham, Al. I work for UAB, major medical center, in the media office. We med-vac'ed 6 neonates up here and tonight we're supposed to get a bunch of patients on an air force flight. Lots of stories from patients/families that would either break your heart or make you cry for joy. I'm drained. We've coordinated coverage with every major network in the country and international outlets as well. Watch for us on the news!

We also enrolled 30 or so college students today who are mostly Al. residents who were evacuated from their universities in the GulfCoast areas.

The storm itself on Monday night was freaky. Thank God, no trees down on my street and we didn't even lose power, which was amazing. Plenty of folks here still without.

Tomorrow morning I'm doing a 60-mile ride with my group. I need the exercise and the sweat therapy. My heart aches for the people who still don't have help. I can hardly bear to think about it.

[KSH]

In Birmingham, Al. I work for UAB, major medical center, in the media office. We med-vac'ed 6 neonates up here and tonight we're supposed to get a bunch of patients on an air force flight. Lots of stories from patients/families that would either break your heart or make you cry for joy. I'm drained. We've coordinated coverage with every major network in the country and international outlets as well. Watch for us on the news!

That must make you feel so good to have a direct and positive effect on these poor souls.

I wish I could be on the "front lines" like that... really making a difference.

Thank goodness they have someone like you there to take care of them.

[anichols]

as far as why they are bringing people into the area, i for one am part of a group of nurses and doctors going there to help people like shewhobike. we have no clue exactly where we're being sent, all of us have families of some sort, and we aren't sure how long we'll be gone. but our loved ones will be safe at home with easy medical attention if needed, whereas the people of katrina don't have that luxury. so we go into the area to help staff and victims alike, as i'm sure many of the "tourists" are trying in their own ways to do. btw--they also need medical supplies, not just food! pretty please contact red cross to help in any way possible!

[Quillfred]

Anichols,

I am an RN up in Seattle wondering if I can volunteer somewhere but have not found any answers, maybe due to the long weekend. I have yet to check up my job but want to donate a week or so.

Love and Strength to all who need it,

Carole

[trayc]

I live in an area about 3 and half hours from New Orleans. We have gotten many many evacuees. I went and worked at one of the shelters today and it was heart wrenching. To see such loss etched on these peoples faces, to know that this event will forever change their lives. So, please keep all the prayers, thoughts etc coming.

[trayc]

We have two major shelters here in Lake Charles, LA(where I live). When I left the shelter today around 2 pm there were some people just arriving to check in at the shelter. I live about a mile from one of the shelters and saw about 8 buses headed in the direction of the shelter this evening. So, we are still getting more evacuees. Someone mentioned about donating to red cross, please do that. I am so proud of our red cross people and how well they have coordinated efforts here in my town. When I was at the shelter today, I sorted clothes. I was amazed at how many clothes there were but then I stopped and realized that it is just a drop in a bucket for all the people we have here. We are bursting at the seams. Know that volunteers will be needed for a long time to come.

[Irulan]

Anichols,

I am an RN up in Seattle wondering if I can volunteer somewhere but have not found any answers, maybe due to the long weekend. I have yet to check up my job but want to donate a week or so.

Love and Strength to all who need it,

Carole

call the red cross or salvation army

[Dogmama]

Been wondering how she faired - if she's still in New Orleans. I worried about her while she was on these board -- and now she's really in my thoughts. She's the kind of woman who would ride out the storm.

Don't know how many people remember her. I know Irulan does...

[aka_kim]

I, for one, can only hope she doesn't hear your call and return to the board. I do hope she's OK though, I just prefer the relative calm since she's been gone.

[Trek420]

I think she's just before my time....but I hope she is ok and all our TE'ers. And ya know, surviving that could change a person. it could happen.

Lots of my co-workers have family there, Theresa just called me, I need to call her back, her cousins evacuated to Atlantam they are ok. But we are still waiting to hear about Jay,Troy and Connie's family. One of our retirees who we call "Mama Cheryl" retired there is ok but lost everything

I wrote to our Admin to ask if we have any TE'ers in the area, this just arrived:

"Hi Trek,

I could only find 3 members whose location profile indicates they were in the affected region:

DocJ from New Orleans, last activity on the forums was 1/2005.

Biker Deb from Mississippi, last activity 5/2004.

tchn4life, also from Mississippi, last activity 5/2004"