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Houston's Volunteer Efforts
09/08/2005 | Barbara via email

Posted on 09/08/2005 3:17:33 PM PDT by wysiwyg

Hello Everyone,

Having had personal experience as a volunteer at one of the Astrodome complexes and other areas, I am disappointed, upset and somewhat angered by several comments made by national figures, including a Congressman and Jesse Jackson, equating the shelters, including the Astrodome, to slave cargo ships coming from Africa to the U.S. . . one comment was that evacuees at the Astrodome were being treated like slaves.

Nothing could be farther from the truth. On Saturday morning from 7:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Astro Arena and other complexes in the Astrodome area, evacuees were served breakfast consisting of generous portions of scrambled eggs, grits, bacon, waffles and bread. At 11:30 a.m. a Chick-Fila truck back up to the front doors and volunteers served hot chicken sandwiches with potato chips for an hour and a half . . then another truck delivered ham and turkey sandwiches which we distributed for another hour and a half . . . then pre- packaged miniature donuts, chocolate, powdered sugar and coconut covered, were passed out. . . In addition, bottled water, cokes and other soft drinks were distributed throughout the day. In addition, apples, oranges and other fruit was available throughout the day. At 5:30 p.m. the evacuees were served Salisbury steaks, smothered steak, vegetables and rolls. . . similar daily food services were scheduled by Aramark through Wednesday. After that, churches throughout the Houston area have organized an incredible food service plan to take up where Aramark left off . . this includes a two hour training program for all volunteers involved with that effort.

Throughout the day Saturday, 99% of the comments I heard from the evacuees, and I heard many, many comments, were very positive and most supportive of what Houston was doing for them. Many said that they had never eaten this good in their lives. . . others said they wanted to make Houston their new home . . many others indicated that Houston cared, New Orleans didn't. DOES THIS SOUND LIKE EVACUEES WHO ARE BEING TREATED LIKE SLAVES ? ? ?

In addition to their nurioushment needs, all personal hygienne and clothing needs were being met. On Saturday, due to the excessive amounts of clothing donations, the Red Cross had to divert any additional clothing donations to the Salvation Army. . . . Also, extreme volunteer efforts insured all medical needs were being attended to. It was extremely well organized volunteer effort with volunteers pitching in to do what was needed at any given moment. Restrooms were clean, security was very tight, etc., etc., etc. ! ! I could go on and on but will restrain myself.

Wednesday and Thursday, the Houston Rockets organized an incredible event at Toyota Center to assist those in need . I was there volunteering and saw first hand yet another example of caring hearts and helping hands . . this event was supported by apartment locators, disability lawyers, housing authorities and many other groups attempting to help these evacuees move forward . . I volunteered in the area that helped these folks build resumes, establish an e-mail address so they could send their resumes out . also 50+ computers helped many to locate missing family members . Baskin Robins distributed free ice cream and water was available to all. Again, I could go on and on but will refrain. Other efforts are being organized daily throughout the Houston area to assist the evacuees. AGAIN I ASK THE QUESTION . . DOES THIS SOUND LIKE EVACUEES WHO ARE BEING TREATED LIKE SLAVES ? ? ?

LET ME CONCLUDE BY SAYING . . EVACUEES IN HOUSTON ARE BEING TREATED WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT BY HOUSTON MULTITUDES VOLUNTEERS WHO, LIKE ME JUST WANT TO LEND A HELPING HAND AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED . . HOUSTON TRULY HAS OPENED UP THEIR HELPING HANDS AND CARING HEARTS TO THOSE OF WHO ARE FACING A VERY TRAUMATIC AND DIFFICULT TIME IN THEIR LIVES. WE WANT TO HELP THEM CREATE A FUTURE.

Therefore, I hope you can understand why comments from National figures have disappointed and upset me . . Unfortunately, many will believe what they hear from these national figures and will never hear the true story of what this great city is doing . . the volunteer effort has far surpassed what I could ever imagine and what is needed for Houston and other cities who have gone above and beyond with their volunteer is support from these National folks . . not criticism.

Please pass this on to those who may be in doubt what is actually going on in Houston! ! !


Thanks so much . . A caring volunteer . . Barbara


TOPICS: Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; US: Louisiana; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: astrodome; houston; jessejackson; katrina; refugees; sheilajacksonlee
FYI: The author of this message is a fellow member of a Houston-area volunteer group my wife is involved with.
1 posted on 09/08/2005 3:17:34 PM PDT by wysiwyg
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To: wysiwyg

Maybe Jesse is trying to tell us that the slave ships weren't so bad after all.


2 posted on 09/08/2005 3:21:14 PM PDT by Mr Ramsbotham (Laws against sodomy are honored in the breech.)
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To: wysiwyg

Thank you for volunteering.

I saw Greta tour the Astrodome and I was very impressed. Everything looked very ship shaped.


3 posted on 09/08/2005 3:24:05 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn (Legality does not dictate morality... Lavin)
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To: Mr Ramsbotham
Maybe Jesse is trying to tell us that the slave ships weren't so bad after all.

The sharks agree!

4 posted on 09/08/2005 3:24:52 PM PDT by mtbopfuyn (Legality does not dictate morality... Lavin)
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To: wysiwyg
Fellow Freepers:

At the suggestion of writer Michelle Malkin last Friday, I have cobbled together a blogsite called Texas Clearinghouse for Katrina Aid to serve as a clearinghouse for refugee efforts in Texas.

Texas is getting more refugees than any other state -- that's fine, we'll take them all -- but we need help providing them with food, clothing, medicine, and shelter. We need help taking care of their pets, too.

If you are a refugee, you can information that will help you find relief. If you want to donate or volunteer, you can find someone who needs you. Believe me, there are a lot of organizations who need your help.

Right now the site mostly covers Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas but I'm adding more every night. My wife was down at Reunion Arena in Dallas Tuesday handing out care packages and spiritually ministering to the refugees as a representative of her employer. She says that the situation is tragic and that there's a lot of work to be done. There are so many children who don't know where their parents are or even if their parents are still alive.

There are a lot of churches and other organizations in Texas that need help in dealing with the problem and I would appreciate it if you would get the word out.

Many thanks,

Michael McCullough

Stingray blogsite

5 posted on 09/08/2005 3:25:31 PM PDT by DallasMike
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To: DallasMike

Nice site. Those are the 2 charities I'd suggest too. (Margaret's mom)


6 posted on 09/08/2005 4:33:02 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: wysiwyg

The msm is not interested in the truth. Thanks for posting this though.


7 posted on 09/08/2005 4:36:25 PM PDT by marty60
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To: Mr Ramsbotham

Jesse is trying to instill hate, discord, and discontent in those poor people. Too bad it doesn't seem to be working.


8 posted on 09/08/2005 4:39:46 PM PDT by uncitizen
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To: wysiwyg

Jesse's afraid his voting block in New Orleans will be permanently disbursed around the US.


9 posted on 09/08/2005 5:23:25 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (France is an example of retrograde chordate evolution.)
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To: wysiwyg

I'd recommend that if anyone cares to view what Disaster planning is all about, to visit one of Houston or Harris County's websites. These folks have their "stuff" in one sock...


10 posted on 09/08/2005 8:20:48 PM PDT by Bean Counter
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To: wysiwyg

As one Houstonian to another.......don't let the likes of race-baiting idiots like Jesse Jackson or any other so-called "black leader" get your dander up, Honey. They ain't worth it.......you and I KNOW what a class act the citizens of Houston and Harris County are. Anyone who takes this tripe as gospel doesn't have a clue.....they've got a terminal case of ignorance. *~*


11 posted on 09/08/2005 8:27:50 PM PDT by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: wysiwyg

Nice work!


12 posted on 09/08/2005 8:32:07 PM PDT by Ditter
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