The week after Hurricane Katrina-where do we go from here?

Last week when this tragedy began to unfold I was home sick in bed. With nothing to do but blow my nose and eat cheezits I got sucked into the tube and all the devasting images coming out of New Orleans and the gulf area. I couldn't turn it off. I felt so frustrated that nothing was being done. Why were these people recieving no help day after day while the rest of America and the world sat and watched in horror. I decided that we could either choose to sit in front of our TV’s and do nothing but fester on the negative images coming out of last week or do something, anything. Would we find it in our hearts to offer the resources we have to these people that have nothing and no where to turn? I'm not going to sit on my political opinion box but I am going to implore that instead of waiting on the government to take action it is up to us to make a difference. Make a difference or wallow in the negative, it’s your choice, because regardless there will be an influx of evacuees depending on us because they have no where to turn. What if it was you on the other end? It could happen. It has happened. I decided to take action and signed up to volunteer with Hands on Atlanta. They are a great service organization here that I have been able to work with on many projects in the last few years. There is the First Chamblee Methodist Church they were servicing and it was close to home so I went there. I couldn't believe it. The clothes and food available and the warm, wonderful volunteers were abundant. I jumped in and worked as a liason to the evacuees coming in, helping with their needs, clothes, and well just to give the hope that they have places to turn to. Most of the people I talked to normally are the ones helping others. They are full of pride and would have never in their wildest dreams think they would find themselves at the mercy of the good hearted people of America offering housing, food, clothing and job assistance. One father just said he would do anything, just wanted to go right to work, whatever he could find to support his wife, three kids and a cousin they had taken in. This family doesn't want to go back to New Orleans and I believe that where ever they land they will stay and they will thrive and do well. Hopefully, with the help of the good people of Georgia, they will have an easier time getting their lives back on track. One person can make a difference. Go out and do something. For Charlene, the 9 year old little girl standing in the middle of the community room, smiling as everyone sang happy birthday to her, with balloons and cake, that was enough to know that our efforts are worth every second and every penny we give.