It’s times like these that the little things make me happy and sad at the same time.  My little brother, Scuba Steve, is home and I am so glad.  He is buying supplies today to go back.  When most think of supplies, they assume water, food, etc.  No.  He is buying another bullet-proof vest, other body armor, ammo, and gathering his guns.  Survival items for himself are a must also in case he is abandoned again.  I’m not sure when he will go back. Selfishly I wish he wouldn’t go back, although I know that these people need help.  He is developing his pictures today and I will try and post some of them for you. 

Last night, LittleMan and I gathered Happy Meal toys, and baby rattles, and those plastic keys on a chain, etc for the children and babies in our local shelters.  I realize they have immediate needs for water, food, etc, and we have bought and delivered things to meet those needs as well.  However, these children are being cooped up for days on end, and I know that toys and the markers and stickers and paper that we sent will be a blessing. 

I also gathered my clothes and shoes that I don’t need and headed out to see where they could be used.  Hooker has been volunteering at a makeshift nursing home that a whole entire nursing home from Metarie was evacuated to.  A granddaughter of one of the residents had only the clothes on her back and the shoes that she took from a dead person because hers (flip flops I think) were gone (not sure if they washed away or wore out).  I was her exact shoe size and hooked her up with some very gently used Sketchers tennis shoes and some flip flops and some clothes.  Hooker, however, really stepped up and bought her some other necessities and is letting her spend the night at her house.  I am so proud of her.  She has bathed and changed nursing home residents and fed them and visited with them.  Already, they know her by name (her real one, not Hooker) and ask for her when they have something they need. 

The thing that I am most struck by is how my town has pulled together to help.  Shelters have been opened and people have shown no hesitation to help.  The owners of our local motel are Indians (as in from India) and have never been overly well-received in the community.  They have housed and fed these people from their own pockets.  I visited with them last night and the level of generosity is astounding.  The owner told me, “I have food and clothes for my family.  They don’t and I can’t watch them do without.”  I have been brought to tears so many times by the generosity of my town and I’m so proud to live in such a great place. 

Another Red Cross shelter will open tonight.  It honestly breaks my heart to see these people go through this.  With the continuance of evacuation, many families who have been in the shelters are beginning to fear the new ones coming in.  The more recent additions are more likely to be drug addicts, gang members, and have weapons.  They are scared to be in a shelter with them.  I can’t imagine their level of anxiety. 

Another situation that I would like to bring to light is how you can help.  Donations to the Red Cross are great, but many of these people are not being housed in a Red Cross shelter, but in a church or community shelter because the Red Cross ones are full.  These people are not eligible for any Red Cross aid because they are not in a shelter.  All they are getting is what the citizens are able to help them with.  Long term, that may be a problem.  If you have used clothing, ESPECIALLY baby clothing or children’s clothing, toiletries (doesn’t matter if they are opened), coloring books and colors, socks, underwear, etc that you would like to donate, find a Salvation Army shelter and ask that it be sent to hurricane victims or e-mail me if you want to send it to our community shelters in North Louisiana.  I promise you that I will make sure it gets to people who need it.  My e-mail is littlemp at gmail dot com if you are interested. 

Finally, the best thing you can do is remember these people in your prayers.  They have a long road ahead of them and the devastation is just beginning.

Melissa