HurricaneKatrina

OUR HURRICANE KATRINA STORY

By June Summers (Mabel Bryant Parish {sister of Nellie Bryant Burdett}>Dolores Maxon>June)

My daughter Jamie Massey, a radio personality, from Atlanta, GA called one night at our home in East Palatka, FL saying "Mom, let's go to New Orleans". Knowing Jamie, it took me only a few seconds to know she was serious. We are big animal lovers so I knew she wanted to rescue the animals. The only thing I needed to bring, other than myself and clothes was money for gas. Of course!! The next morning I set out to collect. Of course, I went to one of our biggest animal supporters in Palatka and got a big start. Donations from employees from a Boat Repair, my family, an employee of a local store and even my airplane seat mate and tram rider in Atlanta. Less than two days after she called she picked me up from the Atlanta Airport. My husband Larry was worried but I assured him we would be careful and not drink the water.
We packed up Jamie's three horse trailer with everything imaginable for animals. They were donated from different organizations, stores, families from and around the Atlanta area that just wanted to help the animals. We had dog and cat food, treats, litter, cages, toys, bowls, tons of water, medical supplies, collars, leashes, grooming supplies, horse food, towels and so much more. When the trailer was packed we started on our trip.
The first day we got as far as Tillman's Corner, Alabama, just west of Mobile. The next morning we went along the coast of Mississippi and when we saw Centers giving food water and clothing we stopped. When I say Centers, they are all just parking lots with volunteers helping the people that come in with only the clothes on their backs looking for anything that would help their families.
The people of these individual towns, who have not had it as bad, are coming in donating items. Each place is organized with non-perishable food, drinking water, men, women and children clothes, toys, household items and just about anything you could ask for.
To say it was hot while we were there would be an understatement. It was brutal. Fortunately it didn't rain once while we were there or I couldn't even begin to think what people would do.
Jamie and I would stop and ask if Centers needed any pet supplies. Without an exception we were met with such joy. Animals were on the bottom of the list, and in the beginning were a lost cause. Hardly any place had animal food. We would give out our supplies and after listening to story after story of what people had gone through we would hug these wonderful people and leave, heading for our next stop.
Then we would drive into places that were once lovely neighborhoods that were no more.
Bulldozers had gone up and down streets pushing debris aside to make roads passable. In one area, the water from the bay took out six blocks inland and miles long of homes. The stench of raw sewage was overwhelming. Up in the trees, 10 to 20 feet high are clothes, blankets, sheets wrapped around the trees. In one tree, at least 20 feet up, was a wicker chair wrapped around it. There are cars lying upside down or on top of each other, boats out on a golf course or stacked up in a marina, trees inside of garages, and stairways to nowhere.
As you come inland, houses still stand, but were flooded. As people start to clean up they drag all there worldly possessions out to the street. We saw blocks of whole households of furniture out on the streets. What really broke our hearts was baby furniture, family albums, pictures of families all ruined from the floods that went through.
Across their homes are written in huge letters, their names, addresses, insurance companies, FEMA, some just saying they are OK., American flags on trees or God Bless America signs. To show that we can still laugh, one sign said "Garage Sale". Some furniture looks perfect but has an odor that will never come out. We saw a house that had been flooded and debris everywhere and a woman outside sweeping her walk.
We would load ourselves down with supplies and start walking. Late afternoon and early morning is when most animals come out from wherever they are hiding. If we could catch them we would put them in the trailer, but most of the time they were too scared to come to us. We would leave a dish of food, water, treats and stand back and watch the animals come out and gobble the food down. We just hope their owners will be able to come and get them soon.
The day we arrived in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, we stopped at a Center and met the people running the place. They are people just like us; well, maybe the accents are a little different. They are from all over the country and like us they came to help. We became instant friends.
After we dropped off the much needed animal supplies we were told there was a woman who was opening her home for hot showers. Seems the hurricane had missed her home by one block. If we were still in the area we were told to come back for dinner. This Center also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to anyone who is hungry.
Of course, we didn't stray far and managed to come back for dinner. I had two hot chicken legs, slaw and chips. This was only topped by the next evening meal of rice and canned chili, served by the Red Cross.
A man told us of a woman who was opening her home to workers who would like to take a hot shower. Now, can you imagine being invited to go to someone's home, in a strange town, that you didn't know, and take a shower? Well I guess if you smelled like Jamie and me you might think about it. Truthfully, there is something so different when we Americans are in a time of crisis. We gather together and are there for each other. Other than for a fleeting moment, we didn't hesitate.
We followed this man to the house and that's where we met Karen. Awe! Karen. She was an angel from heaven. She has a lovely home that she has opened to any and all who are helping out. We were not only given hot showers but a bed to sleep in. Jamie and I had a bedroom, another woman had a bedroom, and four men, three Army, slept on the floor in the living room.
The next morning Karen had gone to the center and brought back food for breakfast. Water for coffee had to be boiled if you didn't have bottled water. Karen also washed all of our dirty clothes.
The Army is in full force setting up places to get ice and water, the Police are everywhere, and the Fire Department is on ready. We visited with all of these fine people and I can only say everyone is wonderful. A Nation pulled together.
So much good and yet sometimes you saw things that made you sick.
We were directed to a home where someone saw three Rottweilers chained. We drove to the house up a dirt road, got out and started walking. Well, the three Rottweilers were in fact, three Pit Bulls. They were attached to metal poles, with about a four foot chain as big around as my arm, hooked to a huge collar around the dog's neck. The first one was the most vicious animal I have ever seen. Jamie and I managed to feed and water these dogs but we realized we were completely out of our league. We went to a nearby Fire Station, who said Animal Control was up and working. We couldn't get through but found a Vet's Office opened and went in. The woman at the desk was so helpful. She got through, Jamie gave them all the information and they promised to come and get the animals.
I just don't understand how someone could leave their animals tied up and left to starve to death. Believe me when I say I wouldn't take these dogs. I'm sure at least one would have to be put down but better that than starve to death. I make no judgment on these animals, but do judge their owners.
Our last stop out was in Slidell, LA across the river from New Orleans. The makeshift Animal Shelter we were sent to is a huge warehouse that is converted into an Animal Shelter. We first checked in the animals we had in the trailer. At that time the shelter had close to six hundred animals. Dogs, Cats and even Birds. It is chaotic although under some semblance of control. The smaller dogs are on the right, cats on the left, all in metal cages. Birds are in the back corner. The bigger animals are outside in cages covered with tents. Animals are fed once a day, some twice, get water three times a day and walked three times a day. The volunteers put frozen canned drinks in the cages to keep the animals cool. The Vets or Vet Techs upon checking in animals looked over the animals, apply month long flea medicine, clip toe nails, checked general health and if any are sick administer shots. All paper work is done along the way. Dozens of people, all volunteers, are there to help.
The noise level is unbelievable. There are huge fans going all the time, hundreds of barking dogs, cats meowing, people yelling to be heard. It never stops.
The rescue will be there for at least three more months, until the animals have found their owners or at least 60 days have passed so they can start being adopted.
Upon leaving, we worked our way back to our original route, feeding animals under mobile homes, in rubble, walking down streets. Jamie and I actually chased a potbellied pig through the woods but couldn't get him. We did get a sweet kitten instead. We finally stopped, but only when the trailer was empty.
Jamie never ceases to amaze me. She is 5'2, weighing 120 something and handles her big rig as if it was a VW. She drove the whole way, maneuvering in and around the destruction. She is fearless. I am so proud to be her Mother. While I was at home watching TV, wondering what I could do, she didn't even hesitate. She went on the computer and found places that needed help. Then she started asking for donations. She called organizations, friends, she went to businesses until she had a trailer full of goods.
We laughed and we cried a lot. In the end we really felt as if in some small way we contributed; but, what if it was our families, homes, animals, possessions? I will never forget this experience and Jamie and I know it will make us better people.
Whether it is people helping people or people helping animals, giving time or money, please don't forget this part of the country, because it will be years before this area is back to normal if normal is ever possible.
One small grain of sand in a big ocean is how we felt, and yet if everyone would contribute one grain; pretty soon you will be able to see a difference.

Reprinted from The Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor, Washington

Key Peninsula volunteers help hurricane victims
CenturyTel added
by Hugh McMillan

09/14/05 14:05:00
The last two Saturdays, a crew of self-starting Key Peninsula volunteers set up a car wash in the parking lot of the KC Corral in Key Center to raise funds in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"This all started when I was on the phone with my daughter Hillary," said the group's organizer, Mindy Hand. "Both of us feeling so helpless and horror stricken by the news coming from New Orleans. We knew we wanted to do something to make a difference, but what? We decided to hold a car wash the next two Saturdays in the parking lot of the KC Corral where my shop is located. We put out a half a dozen flyers around town and hoped for the best.
"Our first Saturday netted $682. I deposited the money at Washington Mutual in Gig Harbor and every penny raised has been turned over to the American Red Cross.
"I wrote a letter to the editor of the Gateway which ran last week. My husband Robert came home from work and said his employer CenturyTel had agreed to match everything we bring in. They wrote it up in their employee newsletter.
"Our grand total for two Saturdays is $1,300. Put that with CenturyTel's matching donation and we have $2,600. We are a tired bunch, but feel better than we have in a week.
"My next project," Hand said, "is a drive for clothing and supplies such as soap, shampoo, diapers, etc. People will be invited to drop off things at my barbershop, CutterBug, in Key Center and my daughter will take the items to a drop-off place in Seattle. We plan to do this next weekend.
"We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this car wash such a success. The kindness and generosity shown by the people of the Key Peninsula was overwhelming. And CenturyTel's offer to match our funds made all the difference in the world! Your donations will go a long way to help ease the suffering of thousands of people affected by Hurricane Katrina."

...

L-Mindy & Robert Hand R-Nathan Farnsworth & Pete Arnold
Photos by Ericka Arnold

Dear Friend,

I have had a full week since I last wrote. The past two Saturdays we had our car wash out at the parking lot of Mindy's shop. The proceeds benefited the Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. Mindy's husband's employer matched what we took in dollar for dollar, and we took in over $1300 between the two weeks.

Some of the car wash customers told me very interesting stories. One lady is still missing her brother in New Orleans. Another one is a man who is a retired Tacoma cop, and he had an enormous SUV that he was leaving the following day to go to New Orleans in. He was hauling a trailer for an RV place north of Bremerton who had put out the call for people with big rigs to haul them with. Then he was going to work with FEMA. (He gave us $100.) Another young guy was home on a short break after working for the Guard as a helicopter pilot in New Orleans. I asked him if he is among those helicopters we see on TV pulling people up from their rooftops. He said almost certainly what we have seen are from Washington as the only Guard units with airborne capability left in the US are from Washington and Wisconsin because all of the others are in Iraq or Afghanistan. He said the rooftop rescues are a small part of what they are doing as much of their time is spent ferrying supplies, police, soldiers and fire personnel. The huge cargo jets from McChord in Tacoma are taking heavy equipment and tons of supplies. The pilot also told me that their response time of three days is nothing short of miraculous as they had to call in people who are employed, on vacation, etc. The plan for where they were to take people and equipment hadn't even been set in place yet. When people criticize the response time after the hurricane, they don't know all of that. Last night I watched the a news special, and the host really clarified some things as he interviewed the Mayor of New Orleans. Apparently the President declared a state of emergency before the Mayor did, and they showed a photo of hundreds of half submerged New Orleans school buses that could have been used to take people out of danger before the storm hit. The Mayor said they had nobody to drive the buses. I think that all of these people who are pointing fingers are going to have to get real and admit that NOBODY expected the catastrophe that we now are dealing with. Maybe this will force the US to make realistic disaster plans all across the nation. (Update on the Mayor of New Orleans who was later asked, "What went wrong?" and he replied, "The storm hit New Orleans. That's what went wrong.")

I was unsure if Mindy would want the story in print, though, as she didn't even tell the strangers in off the street who she was. When they asked who was sponsoring the car wash she told them about her business there in the little shopping center, because some of them wanted to verify that we weren't just scam artists. Mindy didn't want anybody to get the idea that she was promoting her business. One old man and old lady drove in with a brand new huge car of some sort. He wanted to know precisely who, what, when, etc., and we told them. Then they walked next door to the deli and came back a short while later. They didn't want the big car washed, but he handed me a $100 check (made out to the Red Cross as we instructed everybody who wrote checks to do) and also a $10 bill, the latter for all of us to get something to drink. Quite a number of people just handed us money, refused the receipt and said they didn't need their cars washed. I wrote receipts for everything, even "Anonymous" that we kept the receipts for in order to keep track of how much we took in. There was an article in the Gig Harbor paper about our car wash, and Mindy cooperated with that in the hope that other people would get the idea to do something.

I think that Mindy had the car wash idea before I called her and asked if she could keep the little dogs for awhile because I thought I would just get in my camper and head for Louisiana. Then Hillary called her, babbling and crying because of what she was seeing and hearing on the news. Mindy told both of us to get started finding out what we needed to do to have a car wash for the Red Cross...basically telling us to be part of the solution instead of the problem. There were ten of us. Mindy and Crew worked until 5PM both Saturdays, and then night before last Mindy had the most amazing nightmares, one of them about a bathtub full of feces, her standing there covered with the mess when W. Bush strolled by with his retinue.
Virginia

	HURRICANE KATRINA STORIES

	OUR HURRICANE KATRINA STORY By June Summers (Mabel Bryant Parish {sister of Nellie Bryant Burdett}>Dolores Maxon>June) My daughter Jamie Massey, a radio personality, from Atlanta, GA called one night at our home in East Palatka, FL saying "Mom, let's go to New Orleans". Knowing Jamie, it took me only a few seconds to know she was serious. We are big animal lovers so I knew she wanted to rescue the animals. The only thing I needed to bring, other than myself and clothes was money for gas. Of course!! The next morning I set out to collect. Of course, I went to one of our biggest animal supporters in Palatka and got a big start. Donations from employees from a Boat Repair, my family, an employee of a local store and even my airplane seat mate and tram rider in Atlanta. Less than two days after she called she picked me up from the Atlanta Airport. My husband Larry was worried but I assured him we would be careful and not drink the water. We packed up Jamie's three horse trailer with everything imaginable for animals. They were donated from different organizations, stores, families from and around the Atlanta area that just wanted to help the animals. We had dog and cat food, treats, litter, cages, toys, bowls, tons of water, medical supplies, collars, leashes, grooming supplies, horse food, towels and so much more. When the trailer was packed we started on our trip. The first day we got as far as Tillman's Corner, Alabama, just west of Mobile. The next morning we went along the coast of Mississippi and when we saw Centers giving food water and clothing we stopped. When I say Centers, they are all just parking lots with volunteers helping the people that come in with only the clothes on their backs looking for anything that would help their families. The people of these individual towns, who have not had it as bad, are coming in donating items. Each place is organized with non-perishable food, drinking water, men, women and children clothes, toys, household items and just about anything you could ask for. To say it was hot while we were there would be an understatement. It was brutal. Fortunately it didn't rain once while we were there or I couldn't even begin to think what people would do. Jamie and I would stop and ask if Centers needed any pet supplies. Without an exception we were met with such joy. Animals were on the bottom of the list, and in the beginning were a lost cause. Hardly any place had animal food. We would give out our supplies and after listening to story after story of what people had gone through we would hug these wonderful people and leave, heading for our next stop. Then we would drive into places that were once lovely neighborhoods that were no more. Bulldozers had gone up and down streets pushing debris aside to make roads passable. In one area, the water from the bay took out six blocks inland and miles long of homes. The stench of raw sewage was overwhelming. Up in the trees, 10 to 20 feet high are clothes, blankets, sheets wrapped around the trees. In one tree, at least 20 feet up, was a wicker chair wrapped around it. There are cars lying upside down or on top of each other, boats out on a golf course or stacked up in a marina, trees inside of garages, and stairways to nowhere. As you come inland, houses still stand, but were flooded. As people start to clean up they drag all there worldly possessions out to the street. We saw blocks of whole households of furniture out on the streets. What really broke our hearts was baby furniture, family albums, pictures of families all ruined from the floods that went through. Across their homes are written in huge letters, their names, addresses, insurance companies, FEMA, some just saying they are OK., American flags on trees or God Bless America signs. To show that we can still laugh, one sign said "Garage Sale". Some furniture looks perfect but has an odor that will never come out. We saw a house that had been flooded and debris everywhere and a woman outside sweeping her walk. We would load ourselves down with supplies and start walking. Late afternoon and early morning is when most animals come out from wherever they are hiding. If we could catch them we would put them in the trailer, but most of the time they were too scared to come to us. We would leave a dish of food, water, treats and stand back and watch the animals come out and gobble the food down. We just hope their owners will be able to come and get them soon. The day we arrived in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, we stopped at a Center and met the people running the place. They are people just like us; well, maybe the accents are a little different. They are from all over the country and like us they came to help. We became instant friends. After we dropped off the much needed animal supplies we were told there was a woman who was opening her home for hot showers. Seems the hurricane had missed her home by one block. If we were still in the area we were told to come back for dinner. This Center also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to anyone who is hungry. Of course, we didn't stray far and managed to come back for dinner. I had two hot chicken legs, slaw and chips. This was only topped by the next evening meal of rice and canned chili, served by the Red Cross. A man told us of a woman who was opening her home to workers who would like to take a hot shower. Now, can you imagine being invited to go to someone's home, in a strange town, that you didn't know, and take a shower? Well I guess if you smelled like Jamie and me you might think about it. Truthfully, there is something so different when we Americans are in a time of crisis. We gather together and are there for each other. Other than for a fleeting moment, we didn't hesitate. We followed this man to the house and that's where we met Karen. Awe! Karen. She was an angel from heaven. She has a lovely home that she has opened to any and all who are helping out. We were not only given hot showers but a bed to sleep in. Jamie and I had a bedroom, another woman had a bedroom, and four men, three Army, slept on the floor in the living room. The next morning Karen had gone to the center and brought back food for breakfast. Water for coffee had to be boiled if you didn't have bottled water. Karen also washed all of our dirty clothes. The Army is in full force setting up places to get ice and water, the Police are everywhere, and the Fire Department is on ready. We visited with all of these fine people and I can only say everyone is wonderful. A Nation pulled together. So much good and yet sometimes you saw things that made you sick. We were directed to a home where someone saw three Rottweilers chained. We drove to the house up a dirt road, got out and started walking. Well, the three Rottweilers were in fact, three Pit Bulls. They were attached to metal poles, with about a four foot chain as big around as my arm, hooked to a huge collar around the dog's neck. The first one was the most vicious animal I have ever seen. Jamie and I managed to feed and water these dogs but we realized we were completely out of our league. We went to a nearby Fire Station, who said Animal Control was up and working. We couldn't get through but found a Vet's Office opened and went in. The woman at the desk was so helpful. She got through, Jamie gave them all the information and they promised to come and get the animals. I just don't understand how someone could leave their animals tied up and left to starve to death. Believe me when I say I wouldn't take these dogs. I'm sure at least one would have to be put down but better that than starve to death. I make no judgment on these animals, but do judge their owners. Our last stop out was in Slidell, LA across the river from New Orleans. The makeshift Animal Shelter we were sent to is a huge warehouse that is converted into an Animal Shelter. We first checked in the animals we had in the trailer. At that time the shelter had close to six hundred animals. Dogs, Cats and even Birds. It is chaotic although under some semblance of control. The smaller dogs are on the right, cats on the left, all in metal cages. Birds are in the back corner. The bigger animals are outside in cages covered with tents. Animals are fed once a day, some twice, get water three times a day and walked three times a day. The volunteers put frozen canned drinks in the cages to keep the animals cool. The Vets or Vet Techs upon checking in animals looked over the animals, apply month long flea medicine, clip toe nails, checked general health and if any are sick administer shots. All paper work is done along the way. Dozens of people, all volunteers, are there to help. The noise level is unbelievable. There are huge fans going all the time, hundreds of barking dogs, cats meowing, people yelling to be heard. It never stops. The rescue will be there for at least three more months, until the animals have found their owners or at least 60 days have passed so they can start being adopted. Upon leaving, we worked our way back to our original route, feeding animals under mobile homes, in rubble, walking down streets. Jamie and I actually chased a potbellied pig through the woods but couldn't get him. We did get a sweet kitten instead. We finally stopped, but only when the trailer was empty. Jamie never ceases to amaze me. She is 5'2, weighing 120 something and handles her big rig as if it was a VW. She drove the whole way, maneuvering in and around the destruction. She is fearless. I am so proud to be her Mother. While I was at home watching TV, wondering what I could do, she didn't even hesitate. She went on the computer and found places that needed help. Then she started asking for donations. She called organizations, friends, she went to businesses until she had a trailer full of goods. We laughed and we cried a lot. In the end we really felt as if in some small way we contributed; but, what if it was our families, homes, animals, possessions? I will never forget this experience and Jamie and I know it will make us better people. Whether it is people helping people or people helping animals, giving time or money, please don't forget this part of the country, because it will be years before this area is back to normal if normal is ever possible. One small grain of sand in a big ocean is how we felt, and yet if everyone would contribute one grain; pretty soon you will be able to see a difference. Reprinted from The Peninsula Gateway, Gig Harbor, Washington Key Peninsula volunteers help hurricane victims CenturyTel added by Hugh McMillan 09/14/05 14:05:00 The last two Saturdays, a crew of self-starting Key Peninsula volunteers set up a car wash in the parking lot of the KC Corral in Key Center to raise funds in support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "This all started when I was on the phone with my daughter Hillary," said the group's organizer, Mindy Hand. "Both of us feeling so helpless and horror stricken by the news coming from New Orleans. We knew we wanted to do something to make a difference, but what? We decided to hold a car wash the next two Saturdays in the parking lot of the KC Corral where my shop is located. We put out a half a dozen flyers around town and hoped for the best. "Our first Saturday netted $682. I deposited the money at Washington Mutual in Gig Harbor and every penny raised has been turned over to the American Red Cross. "I wrote a letter to the editor of the Gateway which ran last week. My husband Robert came home from work and said his employer CenturyTel had agreed to match everything we bring in. They wrote it up in their employee newsletter. "Our grand total for two Saturdays is $1,300. Put that with CenturyTel's matching donation and we have $2,600. We are a tired bunch, but feel better than we have in a week. "My next project," Hand said, "is a drive for clothing and supplies such as soap, shampoo, diapers, etc. People will be invited to drop off things at my barbershop, CutterBug, in Key Center and my daughter will take the items to a drop-off place in Seattle. We plan to do this next weekend. "We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this car wash such a success. The kindness and generosity shown by the people of the Key Peninsula was overwhelming. And CenturyTel's offer to match our funds made all the difference in the world! Your donations will go a long way to help ease the suffering of thousands of people affected by Hurricane Katrina." ... L-Mindy & Robert Hand R-Nathan Farnsworth & Pete Arnold Photos by Ericka Arnold Dear Friend, I have had a full week since I last wrote. The past two Saturdays we had our car wash out at the parking lot of Mindy's shop. The proceeds benefited the Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief. Mindy's husband's employer matched what we took in dollar for dollar, and we took in over $1300 between the two weeks. Some of the car wash customers told me very interesting stories. One lady is still missing her brother in New Orleans. Another one is a man who is a retired Tacoma cop, and he had an enormous SUV that he was leaving the following day to go to New Orleans in. He was hauling a trailer for an RV place north of Bremerton who had put out the call for people with big rigs to haul them with. Then he was going to work with FEMA. (He gave us $100.) Another young guy was home on a short break after working for the Guard as a helicopter pilot in New Orleans. I asked him if he is among those helicopters we see on TV pulling people up from their rooftops. He said almost certainly what we have seen are from Washington as the only Guard units with airborne capability left in the US are from Washington and Wisconsin because all of the others are in Iraq or Afghanistan. He said the rooftop rescues are a small part of what they are doing as much of their time is spent ferrying supplies, police, soldiers and fire personnel. The huge cargo jets from McChord in Tacoma are taking heavy equipment and tons of supplies. The pilot also told me that their response time of three days is nothing short of miraculous as they had to call in people who are employed, on vacation, etc. The plan for where they were to take people and equipment hadn't even been set in place yet. When people criticize the response time after the hurricane, they don't know all of that. Last night I watched the a news special, and the host really clarified some things as he interviewed the Mayor of New Orleans. Apparently the President declared a state of emergency before the Mayor did, and they showed a photo of hundreds of half submerged New Orleans school buses that could have been used to take people out of danger before the storm hit. The Mayor said they had nobody to drive the buses. I think that all of these people who are pointing fingers are going to have to get real and admit that NOBODY expected the catastrophe that we now are dealing with. Maybe this will force the US to make realistic disaster plans all across the nation. (Update on the Mayor of New Orleans who was later asked, "What went wrong?" and he replied, "The storm hit New Orleans. That's what went wrong.") I was unsure if Mindy would want the story in print, though, as she didn't even tell the strangers in off the street who she was. When they asked who was sponsoring the car wash she told them about her business there in the little shopping center, because some of them wanted to verify that we weren't just scam artists. Mindy didn't want anybody to get the idea that she was promoting her business. One old man and old lady drove in with a brand new huge car of some sort. He wanted to know precisely who, what, when, etc., and we told them. Then they walked next door to the deli and came back a short while later. They didn't want the big car washed, but he handed me a $100 check (made out to the Red Cross as we instructed everybody who wrote checks to do) and also a $10 bill, the latter for all of us to get something to drink. Quite a number of people just handed us money, refused the receipt and said they didn't need their cars washed. I wrote receipts for everything, even "Anonymous" that we kept the receipts for in order to keep track of how much we took in. There was an article in the Gig Harbor paper about our car wash, and Mindy cooperated with that in the hope that other people would get the idea to do something. I think that Mindy had the car wash idea before I called her and asked if she could keep the little dogs for awhile because I thought I would just get in my camper and head for Louisiana. Then Hillary called her, babbling and crying because of what she was seeing and hearing on the news. Mindy told both of us to get started finding out what we needed to do to have a car wash for the Red Cross...basically telling us to be part of the solution instead of the problem. There were ten of us. Mindy and Crew worked until 5PM both Saturdays, and then night before last Mindy had the most amazing nightmares, one of them about a bathtub full of feces, her standing there covered with the mess when W. Bush strolled by with his retinue. Virginia