Author |
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Terolyn
Member
05-06-2004
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 12:15 pm
I am so weary of hearing all the posts about how horrible the administration is, looting, how we are doomed etc... does anyone have any positive stories to relate? I know this tragedy was horrific but surely there must be some heros and uplifting stories to tell?
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 12:22 pm
Terolyn, I agree! Do you want uplifting stories in general or specific to Katrina? One that is sweet (katrina based) is when a 24 year evacuee was about to be bussed out of where ever he was and he didn't want to leave his 14 year old dog. (No dogs allowed on bus). Nate Burkis was there and took the dog back with him overnight and reunited dog and dog owner the next day.
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Terolyn
Member
05-06-2004
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 12:28 pm
Thanks Julie, I needed that! I would love to hear uplifting stories about Katrina but at this point anything would be nice.
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Kaili
Member
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:06 pm
The news is talking about a convoy of semis full of supplies is leaving Green Bay soon- 10 semis- they'll be there by Friday in Hammond, LA and that area. They're even getting an escort down there. I'm glad they're doing it, but I hope it doesn't affect my drive to work tonight...
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Terolyn
Member
05-06-2004
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:24 pm
Hurray! Thanks Kaili
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Kaili
Member
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:31 pm
It may not seem like a big deal as getting food and water, but... Hairdressers Pamper Katrina Evacuees HOUSTON - In the dark tunnels underneath the Astrodome, volunteer barbers and stylists have set up a shop where Katrina's refugees can get a shave or have their hair done for free before they set out to rebuild their lives. "What they are doing is priceless," said storm survivor Keith Anderson, a 41-year-old probation officer who waited in line for a shave and a haircut he hoped would help him find a new home and a job. "It could be the make-or-break of getting that job. Obviously, your appearance matters. It helps with your self-esteem. You definitely, definitely want to put your best foot forward." About 8,000 storm victims from New Orleans are sleeping on cots and standing in line for showers at the Astrodome complex. After seeing the refugees' misery, stylist Terry Walter and his sister, Tiffany, offered their services and recruited a few more stylists and barbers, all of whom are donating their services and equipment. Walter and his sister often stay until 4 a.m. each day, cutting, conditioning, coloring, shaving and curling refugees' hair. "I was at home in tears, and I don't have too much stuff affect me like that, but when you see so many people broken up, you know sometimes a good haircut will put a smile on somebody's face," Terry Walter said. "It just makes me feel good." Impromptu counseling is included. Tears rolled down Annette Massey's face as she recalled that Saturday was her missing daughter's 18th birthday. Terry Walter applied a treatment to her hair, called her "sweetie" and offered a reassuring smile. "Some of us don't have any money to get our hair done and we need to get our hair back straightened out like it used to be because of the water that we was in," Massey said. "We needed to get the hair cut and get it back healthy-looking." Elaine Davis, a 32-year-old mother of six, said: "If you look good, you feel good. It is going to give me some sense of taking charge and taking my life back."
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Yankee_in_ca
Member
08-01-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:33 pm
There are obviously thousands of good stories to tell -- and the individual people, like several of the good folks here at TVCH, members of the Coast Guard, National Guard, police forces, and all the members of private, business, and government who responded quickly and positively are true heroes in my book. Additionally, while I am often quick to criticize the media, there were numerous instances I saw on television and read about of reporters, camerapeople, etc., who evacuated people and animals in their own cars, vans, etc. They also committed heroic acts. <MG>
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:35 pm
My son's school in NY is accepting 20-30 students from a high school in New Orleans. Parents are providing homes for these students, donating their frequent flyer miles to help these students get from New Orleans to NY. On a personal level, I have been absolutely amazed at how many wonderful people there out there who without even a blink step in to offer support. I couldn't have gotten through the last week and a half without the goodness of people and their generosity of spirit especially for my son.
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Terolyn
Member
05-06-2004
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:36 pm
LOL.. thanks Yankee 
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Kaili
Member
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:38 pm
Good to see you here Maris. Are the students coming with their parents? He's in a private school, right? I can't imagine going through all that and having any ability to settle down and do algebra and chemistry, but I suppose that routine helps some people...and they still have to learn!
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Maris
Member
03-28-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:42 pm
My son's school is a private jesuit all boys school. The school in New Orleans is a jesuit school as well and they anticipate that the school will be closed until the Spring at the earliest. I dont know about the families. Today was the first day of school for my son so we only got the letter informing us and asking for volunteers. I think routine helps kids to have some sort of an anchor and reassurance that things are going to be alright.
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Kaili
Member
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:44 pm
Are they there yet, or do you know when they expect them? That's nice that they're doing that- Wisconsin sent 4 buses down to bring people back here and tey only got 2 people to come back with them. It's too cold here apparently. I think it's more of a fear of being so far away from their homes though. I hope things work out well with that.
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 1:56 pm
Four trucks left my little home town today on their way to Thibodeaux, filled with supplies - food, water, clothes, toiletries... etc. All donated by residents. 
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 2:22 pm
Oh, I heard that ZZ and his family are doing fine (the gator family from Trading Spouses.)
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Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 2:37 pm
A local church, here in Maine, hoped to send a trailer truck full of needed items to Mississippi this Friday, to one of their affiliated churches who are hosting 150 people. The truck was filled early and left for Mississippi yesterday. The driver is a volunteer from another town. They will continue to collect money, food, water, baby goods, etc., and hope to be able to send 10-12 truckloads in all. When I dropped off a boxful yesterday afternoon, there were several others doing the same thing. This is a very, very small town. The donations will be distributed from the church in Madison to people in the Biloxi area. A Christian father of eight made a trip to Mississippi this week to deliver a generator and to help out a bit. This man, who appears to be of modest means, returned home with five people who have lost their homes. His church is helping out. One girl had lost her glasses during the storm. She has extremely poor vision. Someone in the community took her right to the eye doctor and bought her a new pair. These people hope to go back and rebuild, but the girl mentioned how nice it was to be here in such nice cool air. Yesterday, I traveled four hours home from my dd's house. On the way, I listened to many radio stations. Nearly all of them were doing something for the hurricane relief effort. The station owned by Stephen King collected $150,000 from its listeners! Stephen and Tabitha King have matched that, sending a check for $300,000 to the Red Cross. Maine Maritime Academy is donating its training ship and crew to house 200 workers in New Orleans while they are repairing an oil refinery. Harry Connick Jr......need I say more?
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Serenity
Member
06-28-2005
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 3:00 pm
I heard today that items that have been confiscated at border crossings (ie: knock-off Tommy Hilfiger clothes and the likes) are all being donated to those left with nothing due to the hurricane. Might as well put those confiscated items to good use rather than have them take up storage space!
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Serenity
Member
06-28-2005
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 3:02 pm
Mak1 - You're right about Harry! I love that guy! He is so down to earth and truly a caring individual.
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Teachmichigan
Member
07-22-2001
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 4:55 pm
Another cheer for Harry -- watching him on CNN, I have been so impressed. He is not only personally helping people, he is encouraging others to help in specific ways -- Habitat for Humanity being one of the primary organizations that will be crucial in the rebuilding process. On the news tonight, they showed a local McDonalds collecting money. Instead of using it for supplies, they are converting the cash into "relief cards" that will work just like debit cards. Then, people who are relocating, rebuilding, etc. can decide how to use the money they receive. It not only helps them, but it gives THEM some measure of control after everything has been ripped away and all control of their lives evaporated.
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Beachcomber
Member
08-26-2003
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 4:58 pm
The coliseum in Charlotte is housing some evacuees and the community response has been overwhelming with offers of clothes, money, housing, and jobs. I also heard that the Panthers are planning to hook up them up with tickets to the Panthers/Saints game on Sunday in Charlotte. Terolyn, thanks for starting this thread
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Wink
Member
10-06-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 5:07 pm
Several Canadian Red Cross trucks are on their way to I believe, San Antonio, with 26,000 beds and bedding.
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Terolyn
Member
05-06-2004
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 5:29 pm
What uplifting stories everyone, thank you so much. {{{{{{{{{HUGS TO YOU ALL}}}}}}}}}} Beach - thank you, I was getting so depressed hearing all the bad news on the other threads I knew there had to be good news somewhere and you guys are proving the point! {{HUGS AGAIN}}}
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Mak1
Member
08-12-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 5:46 pm
Every time I picture Harry taking the shirt off his back to cover that elderly man and then to carry him to safety with such dignity, I get teary-eyed. I've always appreciated his talent and looks but never knew what a caring man he is. {{{Terolyn}}}, thank you for starting this thread. It is so hard to hear only the bad news, and that was all we did hear for the first few days after the hurricane. I know there were citizens helping citizens during those days, and hopefully we'll hear some of their stories later.
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 5:47 pm
300 some evacuees are at the old Lowry Air Force Base in Denver now, and this weekend, there will be a job fair for them to start helping them get settled in to life here. People have brought so much clothing and food they are now being turned away. 28 evacuees were brought here privately and local area hotels are putting them up for 60 days at no charge.
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Julieboo
Member
02-05-2002
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 5:56 pm
Red Cross in New Mexico also asked people to give them a 48 hour break from non monetary donations.
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Vee
Member
02-23-2004
| Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 5:57 pm
Love to hear about the little efforts that add up to big things, but I was absolutely bowled over that John Grisham and his wife are donating five million dollars.
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