Along with all of you, I have been overwhelmed by the horrific disaster that has struck the US gulf coast and have felt utterly helpless. But, this evening, I thought of one small thing I could do that might bring a smile or tear of relief to at least one victim: I plan to send a card to the Houston Astrodome. I hope some of you will join me.
When disasters happen, I am often struck by the efforts of school children who take the time to send letters, cards, and pictures to other children who have been so devastated. It is a small gesture that produces huge results – a human connection and the sense that someone, somewhere cares. Imagine the faces of the victims of Katrina who could have the opportunity to read the hundreds of words of encouragement and support from around the world. Those who feel so isolated need as much love as they can get.
Here is the mailing address of the Houston Astrodome:
Astrodome
8400 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77054
Will you join me? Will you encourage your children to write as well?
Please spread the word.
Thank you.
I know that victims are located in many different shelters, but this is a place to start. If you have contact information for other shelters, please post it. Thank you.
I am going to Houston. As I mentioned here, I have some time.
And I have some money. Thought I am not independently wealthy (by any measurement), I can get by, and I can afford to give a little more than I already have.
So, here is my plan. I am going to drive to Houston on Sunday or Monday. Over the course of the next day or two or three after that, I will do my damndest to find a person, people, or family who is a NOLA refugee. And I will dote on them for the day as if I were their loving bordering-on-senile grandparent, and talk to them about everything that has happened. I will console them and tell them about all the good people who empathize and want nothing more than to help them with all of their souls and everything they can give (yes, that’s you, reading this).
That is my mission. I leave tomorrow evening. Wish me well.
That is an incredible plan. My thoughts will be with you. I so admire you for jumping right in and doing whatever you can. Please give as many people as possible some big hugs from me and Canada. Thank you.
I will pass on as many messages of hope that I can to anyone I can.
I am so sick of people in power who could do something to help these people, but choose to do nothing, while I, who can do almost nothing, am being torn apart by the need to do something.
As Man Eegee said in a comment earlier: Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.
I do wish you well! That is a simply wonderful plan.
I want to go with you, I can’t pitch in too much for gas, but I can pitch in something and I have a video camera. Email me immediately and I will send you my phone number.
Sorry, ’bout that! I meant to write:
will you come and pick me up?
But you are coming with me.
I’m emailing you…now.
Ok, ok, we can argue about that later — yay! I’ll talk with you Saturday!
Safe travels!
Breaking news on CNN from the Houston Astrodome:
Buses arriving with refugees from NO are now being turned away and have been directed to find another place to go. There is no way they have reached their full capacity in such a short time.
?????
No! Those poor people. OMG.
I think it could be full. The video shows it looking packed already.
Houston: we have a problem.
Apparently the fire marshall has decided that full capacity has been reached. Why didn’t they have the proper estimate beforehand? So many damn failures. I just can’t imagine how those Superdome refugees stuck on the incoming buses are even coping anymore.
You’re right on. Honestly, if I were in charge of the Astrodome, I would have started taking the seats out of the stands and replacing them with cots when I first heard about the refugees being headed there. They only have cots on the field level right now.
They don’t need to keep the seats. Stuff doesn’t happen at the astrodome anymore. I don’t understand.