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My brother and I filled up a U Haul truck (28 feet long) on Sept 1&2 in Tallahassee Florida and headed west. We did not know where we would end up, we just knew that people were in need. We ended up distributing our load of food, water, baby supplies etc via the Salvation Army in Mississippi. 9 tons worth. We then purchased heavy equipment (chain saws and generators) and passed that equipment out in Gulfport, Biloxi and Hattiesburg. Our third trip was to supply a MASH-type clinic at the Biloxi Unified Command Center with prescription medications and vaccines (hepatitis and tetanus). We continue to be involved in volunteer relief efforts in Mississippi and Louisiana. I was amazed at the diversity of freelance aid offered to the impacted peoples that first few weeks. Heartened and amazed. Disappointed at every level of government's failure to provide, and very impressed with the various diverse groups on the ground doing what they could. From a couple of middle aged Florida brothers to large church groups, it seems to me that individual people just decided to do the job. For a couple of agnostics, we spent a whole lot of time working with faith-based groups and that was one of the amazing experiences for both of us. We were impressed by the Salvation Army and disappointed by the Red Cross, FEMA and the national media. I am very interested in putting together a book of volunteer relief experiences. Anyone who wants to send me their stories, I would love to have them. This is not a profit-making efforts; if the book ever gets written and published I will put 100% of the receipts to storm relief. The working title is "Holy to Hotheads: Freelance relief to Katrina victims" I hope to collect at least a couple of dozen first person accounts. |
AFTER KATRINA
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