Ive decided that tomorrow I will spend my afternoon volunteering at the Astrodome doing whatever I can to help out. I feel that I need to do something to help, but I dont have any money to give or to buy stuff to give, so I figure my time and work can be just as helpful. I feel that everyone should give something, whether its items, money or time, simply because there is so much we take for granted, and never even realize it. I dont know what they will have me doing, sorting through items, serving food, or actually going around trying to help people locate their family throughout the stadium. I know a lot of my friends that have gone in have been assigned to play games with some of the children living in the Dome, whether its sitting and playing cards, or outside throwing a football back and forth. They need people to sit and talk to people, but are giving more of that to adults. A few of my friends have also been assigned to walk around and find someone looking for family, and to walk around with them trying to help. Only one person I know has been successful in that, and he said there is no greater feeling when those people find their family after being seperated for a week.

Anyways, I know it will take an emotional toll on me, but I know it will be so rewarding in the end.

 

Best of luck man. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

In my personal opinion, it says alot about a person to donate their time, money, and even their spirit to such a cause. God bless you.

 

Good for you and I applaud your honest intentions…

While it may be emotional it very well could give you a positive experience you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life, helping another human in need…

 

Just make sure you lock your truck - I was told that someone who was helping evacuees by giving them food from the back of his truck was carjacked by an evacuee. In addition, crime around the Astrodome has been rising. If you have to fill up at a gas station, make sure it's far away from the Astrodome. People have been held up by desperate evacuees, so anyone who is around that area - helping others in need is good, but protecting yourself and your investment is good too.

Hope it all works out. They look like they can use all the help they can get.

 

Actually that is just a rumor floating around. HPD has stated the reported crime levels have not increased since bringing in evacuees. Of course, you have to be careful though. Most of the evacuees came from the extreme poverty levels, which does usually mean more crime, but there are many there that are good people and need help. There is immense security at Reliant Park also, so it is pretty safe.

 

Lansing is sending 3 buses full of water and returning full or refugees

I went and spent too much on water and put it on the bus.

 

Have fun!

 

Here is an update. I got turned away from the Astrodome. They said no one under 18 may volunteer to help there. May I also add that they are very short on volunteers? So I argued and yelled for a few minutes, told them they were neglecting the victims by turning away help, and went off to the George R Brown Convention Center. They said come on right in, any help is welcome. I waiting in line for about an hour just to register to volunteer there, then got to work. They were taking any help they could get, no matter what age the volunteers were. They werent letting little kids go around helping people, but they had them sorting through clothes and such. Through the day I was part of the greeting crew and serving food. Greeting people what we did was just say Hi to them, welcome them to Houston, and occasionally give a hug to some. The good news is that there is tons of food, water and clothing. They have a "shopping mall" set up in the convention center that is like a huge garage sale. People come and walk through look at clothes, shoes, games, and toys and take what they like. For the most part, morale is pretty high, much higher than youd expect.

It was a great experience. There was some old guy in a wheelchair being pushed around by his wife. This guy was going around saying "Help me, send my wife back to New Orleans, she is bo legged and crazy". Of course, all joking around, but its good to see that people are still joking around having fun despite all that has happened to them.

 

I applaud your efforts. Thank you for being a great citizen.

 

I'm glad you got to help in some capacity, I'm sure that it not only made you feel good to be helping but someone out there is happier tonight because you were there with a kind word and a friendly hug. Good for you.

 

Thank you from someone who wishes he could do more to help. I am able to donate a little cash but wish I could do more.

It's people like you that make me and others proud to be a citizen of this great country.

 

I second that...

 

Good for you man! Not even 18 and you went and served all those people for absolutly nothing, just a good story to tell you grandkids.

Every thought about joining the Army?

31C

 

Actually, I have. I was really thinking about it and probably would. Unfortunately, medical conditions prevent me from joining.

 

TXCoUnTrYbOy,

Dude...you're an inspiration and a credit to your generation!

Many thanks for what you're doing...sacrifcing your time to make someone's life better. Doesn't matter if it's in the Astrodome or somewhere else, that takes a lot of character.

I am very impressed.

I only hope to raise my four children to be so giving in time of need as you obviously are. Time is the MOST important commodity and you are giving yours!

Character wins in ALL circumstances and you're building it seven fold with your current actions.

I can only imgaine the pride your parents are living with your accomplishments.

Thanks for your efforts!

KC