Warning: this is even LONGER! lol
I have to say that after my experience on Saturday I KNEW I wanted to go back again and volunteer. There just wasn't another way around it. The feeling I get when I am there is really indescribable, being around these people, in this cir stance, it's just something else. There just so many people, in such despair, I still can't even imagine it. Well, Sunday, I was unable to go because they already had enough volunteers for the entire day. I was bummed that I couldn't go, but of course I was glad that volunteers actually had to be turned away since there were so many. That is a great sign! Anyway, I decided to take the day off work and go on Monday, Labor Day.. I thought maybe since it was a Monday, some people still had to work (even though it's a holiday) and/or maybe people wanted to enjoy their holiday. So I was thinking they'd need people today.. I was right, there was not enough people. We had to wait until more showed up (even though we were already assigned to do something) because there were not enough people to go around. I got there at about 5:45 in the morning. There were only about 30 of us at first. We got seperated and given a choice in what we'd like to do. They needed four women and four men to be "shower monitors", in other words stand outside of the showers and just kind of keep guard, make the people feel safe. Women to monitor the women's shower and men to monitor the men's, of course. I bypassed that one. Second thing they needed were people to be in "bulk distribution", which means they would be in the area where people would go get things they needed like clothes, hygene supplies, toys, whatever. Basically they just tell you, or give you a list of what they need, and you search through everything we have their and give them what they need (if it is there). I passed on that too. Then there was food service, which of course is to serve food, except the food was alot different here than at Reliant Arena in the fact that there were not really any hot "meals" served, it was basically a long line of tables filled with snack type food, fruit, sandwiches, drinks, donuts. Not like at the Arena where they had eggs, grits, bacon, waffles, fruit for breakfast. So yeah, I forgot to mention, this time around I was assigned to RELIANT CENTER. Last time I was at Reliant ARENA. The way it is is: the evacuees are spread into four different places over here. The Reliant ASTRODOME, The Reliant ARENA, the Reliant CENTER, and the George R. Brown Convention Center. I noticed right away that the Reliant Center was alot different than the Reliant Arena (alot better). It was more spacious, calmer, more organized, cleaner. Ok back to what I was saying.. I had done food duty already so I skipped on that as well. Next they needed people to be stationed at the Missing Persons center. There they set up a lot of laptop computers and we were to use those to help people find loved ones. To give you an idea of just how severe the problem of missing people is, I give you this:
this is only a SMALL FRACTION of the wall in which people put signs of people they are looking for. Notice how on the wall you can see the letters "O", "P", and "Q". Those are to signify the first letter of the persons name that are posted on the wall. Look just HOW MANY notes are up there and that is just for three letters! The whole alphabet was on that wall and let me tell you, it was overwhelming to see that (it is the first thing you see when you first walk in the door, btw). Sadly, this area was always full. People trying to locate loved ones.
Another rather sad section was the LOST Children section. Thankfully, that place was nearly empty. It's still depressing to see though.
Upon our small orientation, we were asked if we could at LEAST work until 12 noon. That was just fine by me, and said so. Our "boss lady" told us we had to stay, because we were officially gonna be going on "lockdown" meaning, no one could leave nor enter the building until a certain time after 12. wha? Apparently, we were having some "very special guests" coming in. So who would be important enough to warrant such a "lockdown"? Why, former presidents Mr. Bush and Mr. Clinton! WOW! I could not believe my ears that they would be coming and HERE! Out of all the facilities. Of course I became pretty excited that I would be seeing them (and a bit skeptical that they would come at all). We were told all this at 6 in the morning, then sent off to do our jobs. My assignment wasn't anything real specific such as food/shower/supplies. You see, where we were was basically a really really huge room, with cots on either side of it. They were seperated into sections. There were sections for single women, single men, families, and eldery. We got to pick which side we wanted to work at, and our jobs were to just walk around, and do anything you thought would help. Go up to people, ask them if they needed anything, bring them whatever they want, say good morning with a smile, or just chat. whatever we wanted. Whatever THEY wanted. I picked the families section, and off we went. Even though I was assigned to families, we could pretty much go wherever we wanted. I went over to the Elderly section and saw a little boy on his cot, eating a donut alone. Keep in mind it was still pretty early in the day, and most people were still asleep (with lights fully on bright, too). This little boy looked so cute. His name is Reginald. I went up to him and started to talk to him, he was shy at first but then I asked him if he liked cartoons and I brought up Spongebob. He immediately lit up and began to tell me his favorite shows.. Jimmy Nuetron, Kimpossible, etc. I then began to talk to him about video games and we talked about all kinds of games. It was such a joy talking to this kid. He became a quick friend, I wish I had taken a picture of him. I think Reginald played a trick on me, too. He told me he did now know where his mom was, and I told him she might be getting something to eat, or in the shower. He told me no, she was not around and had not come with him to the Reliant Center, then his eyes began to get watery. My heart sank, I told him we would find her, and I wrote down her name. A few minutes later, his mom comes and sits at her cot and he tells me "that's my mom" omg! I told him he tricked me and made me think she was missing. He laughed. I knew he was trouble! lol. So by the time I got done talking to Reginald, I was hungry, so I told him I was gonna go eat breakfast. "Come back after!" he told me. I assured him I'd look for him again, and that he should think about more things to talk about for when I come back around.
I went to go get some food (food was free for everyone) and was waiting until a proper time to call all my family members to tell them I might be seeing Bill Clinton and Bush Sr.! After I finished calling, I started walking back to work, when I saw a big crowd. And who should I see?
The President's daddy, George Bush Sr., and Barbara Bush. I was fortunate enough, to be able to walk up to them both, and shake their hands. I became extremely nervous though, and was only able to muster up "pleasure to meet you", lol. The lady that met Barbara right before me asked her for a hug. So when I only shook Barbara's hand, she said "I guess she (refering to me) doesn't want a hug!" Actually, I did want a hug.. I just got too shy to ask, lol ;( So after watching them for a while (in the pic with Barbara, she is sitting with a few evacuee children singing a song together), I walked off to see if Mr. Clinton was around. Sure enough, he was, and so was Hilary:
Again, I was able to go right up to them and shake their hands. I did the same "pleasure to meet you" spiel (yes I was still too nervous, lol). Mr. Clinton said the same to me, and Hilary looked me in the eye, held my hand a bit longer, and said she was glad to meet me and that I was there. Pretty neat! I watched the Clintons for a while. Governer Rick Perry was also there, and so was Sheila Jackson Lee:
In this photo, a woman was pleading to the camera about missing loved ones, and just how horrible it was in New Orleans. Sheila is right there next to her in the red.
Next, I spot Mr. Barack Obama! I have to say I have always liked him, and was really excited to meet him. He took the most time to talk to me. He asked me what my name was, and told me how much he appreciated me being there and how I was making a difference. Then he asked me if I thought everything that should be done was being done, and if I thought they were handling everything well. Wow Barack asking ME for my opinion? awesome! I wish I had taken a pic of him, but I did not. He was very charming though. I think I love him now, lol
All the aforementioned people stayed around for a while and talked to people. Many of the refugees circled around Bill Clinton and spoke their minds. It was truly a surreal experience to see all this unfolding right before my eyes. I was standing right beside Mr. Clinton the entire time that the evacuees were talking to him and telling them their stories and concerns. For an idea of how this went, you can go here: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/weather/...residents.html
Channel ABC 13 news was there and filmed alot of it. What you see, is exactly where I was at, and I was lucky enough to see all that happen. Oh, and there were tons of Secret Service/Policemen around too.
Ok so after the media circus, I got back to work. I went around and began chatting with people again, asking if they needed help. While i was walking around, this adorable little boy threw a ball at me to catch. I got it and through it back, and we started a little game of catch. We played for a while before he got distracted with something else, and I went off again. I visited Reginald again and I told him that I had just met Bill Clinton. He was not impressed as he did not know how that was, lol. Reginald was getting ready to leave, he was going to the mall. So I wished him a good day and continued on. I came upon an old man laying in his cot, wanting help to get into his wheelchair and get to the bathroom. I located a gentleman volunteer and we helped the man. Then I passed by a woman who wanted some clothes. She and her husband had barely escaped the flood waters of Katrina. She said the water was above her waist, and as she was leaving, she had two bags with her. One full of important papers, and one full of clothes. She had to leave the bag of clothes behind. They were there with only the clothes on their backs. I asked her for a list of anything she needed and went and got her the stuff, minus a few items (note: things that are still needed are bras, women's children's and men's underwear, socks.. I was also asked for perm relaxers, body sprays, and we did not have any of those things). While I was taking the bags of clothes to the woman, the spanish news people stopped me and asked me some questions in spanish. Apparently I'm the only hispanic there, because they kept filming me, LOL. They were looking for anyone that was of spanish decent. I told them I have hardly seen ANY. Only on Saturday I saw two, that I helped with interpetation. there aren't much that's for sure.
When the spanish news crew got out of the way, one of the leaders approached me and asked me how I was doing. We chatted for a little bit, when another ADORABLE little boy came up to me, and out of the blue, gave me the biggest hug ever.
He was sooooooo cute! That made my day when he did that. I knelt down to his level and he just gave me the sweetest hug, it really just melted me. I told him that was the biggest hug I'd ever had and I thanked him. This time I couldn't pass up taking a picture, and he was more than happy to have his taken, as you can see from the big smile he flashed for me. I played with him for a while, he sat on my lap and played with my hair, and my gloves. he was so precious. Then some kids came (I think his brothers) and he went off to play with them.
I went to make my rounds again, and saw a large crowd gather, of course I had to go see what was up. It was Mrs. Will Smith herself, Jada Pinkett Smith. She is TINY in person! She was there for only a short while. I did not get to meet her, just see her and take a quick pic.
I walked around some more when two men called out to me. "You're so pretty, where is your husband?" ha, a pick up line at a shelter! That is a first, lol. I walked over to them and began to talk. The one that had called out to me, was apparently trying to hook me up with his friend, the guy that was with him, by saying I'd make a good wife, and he needed one. lol. He left, and left me talking to his friend. The guy's name was Terri (sp?), 33 years older.. but looked younger and I actually thought he was cute! We talked for a good while, he told me he was sick of the place, and wanted to get out, and asked me if I could please just take him out, if only for a while. He said the volunteers were "scaring" him with all their cheerfulness and always asking him questions, lol. I told him we were just trying to help, but I understood how he felt. Afterall, it is easy for US to be going around happily asking questions.. we're not the ones that lost everything. He told me that he had lost everything, his house, and his "baby" (portable DVD player, lol) and was mad that he didn't bring it with him. He worked at the French Quarter. Everything flooded, and he said he wasn't sure what'd he do. Possibly stay in Houston. I enjoyed talking to him for a good long while, and then noticed another large crowd. Biggest one yet. i went over to see and guess who it was?
Oprah!
Not surprising, she had the most people around her, and more cops around her, than Bush or Clinton did. It was CRAZY! I kinda felt sorry for her, because there were so many people just bombarding her. By the time I made it over to where they were, I could hardly see her, let alone get a picture, or shake her hand. There were way too many people in front of me. They finally put her into a barracaded area, and didn't let anyone pass the little gates surrounded her. She went into the "Lost Children" section, the pic I posted earlier. She talked to alot of the refugee's, signed alot of t-shirts and gushed over a couple of babies. I thought it would be IMPOSSIBLE to be able to shake Oprah's hand, seeing the tight security and all the people around her, but I was actually able to accomplish it! Somehow, lol. I did get to shake Oprah's hand (one of the officers guarding her, recognized me as being there Saturday too, and he gave me a little extra room). Good enough for me.
Oprah then went over to the children's daycare area. The camera was rolling as she visited and played with the children. After she did that, they brought out a lady who had a story to tell. She was missing her sister. Oprah was interviewing her, and the woman was talking all about her story and her sister. Little did she know (but we knew) that her sister was there. I guess they had found her, and Oprah was going to reunite them. The sister was behind some cops, behind the woman. So after a while, they let the sister go, she went and tapped the woman on the shoulder, she turned around..and BOOM! Reunion. It was great. Everyone clapped. Look for this on a future Oprah show, mark my words on that one, lol. By the way, the picture.. it is hard to see, I know. Blurry and far.. but to the right you can see Oprah, and the lady in front of the camera. If you look behind them you see a couple of cops. Behind the cops, is the sister. sorry but that is the best I could do, lol.
The Oprah media circus was the biggest one yet, of course. But once she left, things got back to normal. Oprah sure did make alot of people's days though. I'm sure people will say she is there for publicity or whatever.. and who knows, she very well may be, but those people sure were happy, and at least they had that moment. They also voiced alot of their opinions on her. We'll see what gets done, though.
Ok so after that, I went to get some lunch. It was well after 4 by then. I was EXTREMELY tired, I had been on my feet since 5:30 in the morning. I only sat down twice for maybe 5 minutes each to eat. So I decided I'd make a few more rounds then head on home. So that's what I did, I played with a few more kids, I talked to a few more people, lent someone my phone.. and I was ready to go. I have to say, never did I expect this kind of day! Never in my life did I think I'd wake up this morning and meet Bill Clinton, George Bush Sr, Barbara Bush, Rick Perry, Barack Obama, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Oprah. Crazy I tell you. I had such a good time though..and another day I'll truly never forget.
Holy cow! What a post! Good thing I can speed read.
Spurfect (I don't know your real first name), I think it's absolutely wonderful what you are doing there. Thanks for recapping your days for us. It's very cool that you got to see all those people today. My favorite parts of your story weren't "celebrity" related. One was the boy giving you the hug - that makes me happy and sad at the same time. And the other was the "hook up" attempt.
I applaud you on your efforts this week
That is awesome! We got turned away today, but I don't doubt I'll spend many hours at the shelters in the coming months.
That must have been a pretty awesome experience.
Good work from Spurfect!
That is awesome!!
There were no celebrities in Clearlake, Friendswood and Baytown where I was working, but I should have brought a camera too.
Props.
hey..thanks.. I have to say though, I feel kinda weird people giving me props each time. I mean, I'm not looking for props. I just want to share my experience. but thanks anywayProps.
That is awesome once again! I bet it was awesome to meet all of the celebrities and shake their hands. I have never met a celebrity before. I am glad that you keep helping there. I am sure all of them there were thankful as well. Good work
I see Carmelo Anthony was there too.
oh stop!!! :p lolI see Carmelo Anthony was there too.
thanks for the recap/pictures. the pictures are great, especially that cute kid with the big smile. it really is great that you can bring a smile to a kid's face if only for 5 minutes.
how long will you be able to volunteer?
That's so awesome!!!
WOW that's awesome what you're doing. Keep it up, you're one in a million.
Spurster,
thanks so much for sharing all this with us. The pictures are great and your stories are so heartwarming. It's wonderful that your doing all this.
You're a true
Get the name right. Anyways, thats pretty cool what your doing. Keep it up.Spurster,
thanks so much for sharing all this with us. The pictures are great and your stories are so heartwarming. It's wonderful that your doing all this.
You're a true
Very cool Spurfect.
Something real important that I forgot to mention!
I found this photo on Yahoo news, and it reminded me.
in this photo people gathered around Clinton (and btw, that little brunette midget you see behind the lady with glasses? that's me! lol) and were telling him about the horrible conditions at the Superdome. The guy in the red was extermely passionate and gave Clinton a piece of his mind. Poor Clinton looked like a deer in headlights, and like he didn't know how to respond. After him, the lady in the blue bandana next to him was next to talk (there is a picture of this out there somewhere too, but I couldn't find it again). What she said was sooo terrible it made me cry. She said that a 7 year old girl was raped and killed. a 16 year old girl was raped and beaten to death. She said that one little boy was KILLED right in front of her because he was trying to get help for his mom who was in a wheelchair and was being "annoying".. they SHOT HIM and his blood was all over her (the lady talking) and other people. I could not believe it. So so so tragic and so sad
Well done Spurfect...you are an inspiration to us all.
She said that a 7 year old girl was raped and killed. a 16 year old girl was raped and beaten to death. She said that one little boy was KILLED right in front of her because he was trying to get help for his mom who was in a wheelchair and was being "annoying".. they SHOT HIM and his blood was all over her (the lady talking) and other people. I could not believe it.
Did this happen at the SuperDome? I thought they were all checked for weapons.
Spurfect,
you wrere right about Oprah
And your doing such a good job, keep it up!!
I believe that's what she said. How they got weapons in there, I'm not sure
Did this happen at the SuperDome? I thought they were all checked for weapons.
I'm not calling anyone a liar, but that lady's story sounds far fetched.
I am so happy to hear that there are people out there like you. The people there are probably even more happy to KNOW you are there. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
already today? wow that was quick lol. Today may about NO then, cause she was barely here yesterday. But yeah, who knows, I may be on TV. There was a huge crowd around her at all times though, lol. but there were a few instances where the camera was right at my angle. I'll be watching!Spurfect,
you wrere right about Oprah
And your doing such a good job, keep it up!!
and thank you for everything else you said
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