Cross-posted on Texas KOS
Words don't do it justice. The shock of the people. Their grief. The desperation. You can't watch it on tv & understand the full nature of this tragedy.
Come down to the Astrodome (if you're here), talk to the people. It's the only way. You can't change the channel here. You can't "get on with your life" or bad mouth the President or make any excues. You just have to get busy.
This isn't an emotional catharsis. There's alot of people who really need help & I urge you to do what you can.
Tomorrow I'm going to volunteer there. If you would like to do so also, please show up at the Eastern Gate where the volunteer check in is.
And if you need to find people, you may be in luck here. All the refugees have to register to enter the building. So please visit the Western Gate for that list (at least at the time I was there as told by one volunteer medic).
Please pass that along b/c I know there are people looking for loved ones.
I know this b/c I spoke with a few of them.
If you don't mind, I'd like to pass on the concerns of some family members that my friend met at the Astrodome who can't find loved ones (he cleared it with them 1st but I hope it's not inappropriate with ya'll)
If you know where Tori, Geno, Charleslynn Soleto, please ask them to contact their family. I won't put their email here b/c I don't know if they'd want that. Just email me: texas_kos(yat)yahoo.com
I'm proud of this city which is offering a stadium to house people & has opened it's arms to it's sister city in crisis.
Some random notes:
The Houston Red Cross is providing people services & aid:
Gallery Furniture is offering La residents a free place to stay. If you live here, you know how huge that place is. It's on 45 North.
The Houston SPCA is desperately needing donations b/c the La SPCA had to move it's animals to the Houston location. For those needing shelter for their pets, please call their hotline at 713-802-0555.
http://www.spcahouston.org/spcahouston/Default.asp
Thank you to the Houston Texans & the University of Houston for housing these people & for giving them free tickets to a football game so that they could escape for a bit their hell.
As I walked back to my car, I heard a woman on the verge of panic walking with her family, screaming "I can't find my son. I can't find my daughter..."
It really is a sobering thought. Be grateful for what you have.
Update: Sorry, couldn't sleep without telling you that the Houston Food Bank gives $25 for every ONE dollar you give.http://houstonfoodbank.org/
Update: Damn. One more thing. Have a spare room? http://www.hurricanehousing.org/?id=5951-6435476-VUvuEFpazOBszwQU5Mmjlg