Generally I am overwhelmed by the hopelessness of what is going on there. However, it seems to me that there must be something more we can be doing. Yes, there are tens of thousands of people there. There are also millions of people literally watching in horror. The blogosphere is making the donation push and I've put money in and I expect I'll put more in. I am not sure that the money helps. I can't seem to find a number to spend that will get people moving towards food and water.
Do we need people to spend Labor Day weekend in a human chain passing bottles of water into NO and grabbing people as they near the boundary line? Will anything less work? It has degraded to this chaos in 3 days. Surely in 3 days, when most of us have nothing else to do, there's something.
I watch the news reports for as long as I am home. I find that I am home more and sleeping less to watch as much as I can. The reporters talk to people. What are you doing? Where are you going? One man led a person to dry land and hauled them up and turned to go when the reporter stopped him. He had been pulling people through the flooded street like that all night he said. He guessed that he had pulled 50 people out. Then he turned and went back.
Is that what it takes? If 2000 of us go down there and start pulling people out, do we get them all out?
I clicked on the Red Cross site. I've already given money. I looked at volunteers. I have to contact my local Red Cross and sign up for training. I suppose I could. For the next time we lose an entire city. I suspect I will just add a whole new volunteer bureaucracy to my life. I have volunteered all my life. The volunteer opportunities I keep are those that say "here's a job. Can you do it?" and then let me do it. A few too many rules, a few too many signin sheets, a few too many meetings, and that's it for me.
There's a lot of talk of coordinating help while people die on the side of the road. I think of the man pulling 50 people through the water. Please don't coordinate him.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Bryce Zabel
>Please don't coordinate him.
Well-said. On the other hand, as you watch, you do see that the pieces of recovery are steadily moving into place. These things do not always move efficiently or in a straight line, but they are moving. We need that man pulling people out, our money, and the relief effort -- all at once, as hard as we can go.
2 - Jantina
About Hurrican Katrina and the children -- does anyone know of an organization that is or will be looking into the children that are orphans? What exactly is the housing plan for the people and their families as the city rebuilds? Can people open up their homes? Can we move to adopt or sponsor children?
3 - Carrol Vaughn
My husband and I are also trying to get information about adopting a child...where do I go? We are in Tampa. If anyone has info plz let me know.
4 - Jenny Ashley
I am also in Tampa. My husband and I have been discussing the possibility of adopting an orphaned child. In doing some research on the internet, I've come across a website for the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home. They apparently are taking in many children who have lost their parents in the storm. There is an adoption section to their site. The web address is www.lbch.com I hope that helps. Good luck!
5 - Megan Green
I, too, am interested in getting information about adopting or foster parenting Katrina orphans, so if anyone learns anything useful, please post it here.
Thank you!
6 - Teresa
Hello, my name is Teresa and I live in San Angelo,Tx. I would love to adopt a child that has be devasted by Hurrican Katrina.If I may please let me and my family open our home and love for a infant, or young child.Please contact me.
7 - Teresa
Hello, my name is Teresa and I live in San Angelo,Tx. I would love to adopt a child that has be devasted by Hurrican Katrina that has been left orphaned.If I may please let me and my family open our home and love for a infant, or young child.Please contact me.
8 - LORENA
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE ALSO LOOKING TO ADOPT OR FOSTER CHILDREN, DEVASTATED BY KATRINA. WE TO WOULD LIKE MORE INFO.
9 - jennifer
The website for Lousian Baptist is www.lbch.org .... still looking for sites myself - will let you know what I find ..
New Jersey parent w/ more love to give !
10 - James Bystrom
Yes my wife and I would be very interested in helping with the children crisis on the Gulf Coast Region. We just had a family of four living with us until we found them a place, got their kids enrolled in school and her husband a job due the after math of the hurricane.
Now we would love to help the children we have three girls and are loveingly willing to open and welcome any children into our home. Would be very interested in adopting or any suggestions please. Thank You and God Bless.
11 - Sarah
I am a nurse and will be deploying South from Iowa soon, to offer my medical help,my husband and I are also WANTING to adopt a child,any info & personal emails welcome, Thank You and God Bless
12 - Beverly Davidson
I live in Myrtle Beach S.C. and am interesting in adopting an orphan from the Katrina disater.
13 - lilliandiana
I, too would like to adopt an orphan of Katrina. The child would have brothers and a lot of love. Please let me know where I can get information. thanks
14 - Cindy
I'm a trama nurse and would be willing to go and help, only I don't know where to look. Also my husband and I would love to adopt/foster children. We have lots of love and room. Any information would be appericated. Thanks
15 - Jane Murray-Stringer
I also want to help. I don't have a mot of money but I have time and energy. Please let me know how I can help. I've been doing everything I possibly can here in NYC (raising money, opening our house, etc.) but I want to do more. Please help me help them. Any info would be great, thanks.
16 - Shannon Sledgeski
My husband and I are ready, willing and, waiting and able to adopt an orphan or two from "Katrina" we just don't know where to go and who to contact.
We have an open home and large hearts... ready for the commitment.
17 - Leslie Nakajima
I, too, am interested in opening my home to an orphan of Katrina. Although I live far away in San Francisco, I would be happy to help if I can. Please post information or contact me if I can be of assistance. Thank you.
18 - Jenny
I am interested in adopting a child. Please contact me if I can help.
19 - Sherrell Joseph
I am very much interested in adopting a child, can someone get back in touch with me with the details . I reside in Brampton, Canada and I don't mind opening my home and my heart and sharing my love.
20 - Phyllis Couvillion
We are a small and blessed family with two great sons. Our home is very warm, fun and loving. We feel very bless. My husband and I would love to add another blessed event to our home and family by opening our hearts to children left from Hurricane Katrina. Waiting to hear from you. Thank you.
God Bless!
Phyllis & Joey Couvillion
Fort Payne, AL
21 - Linette
Christian family in Oregon, wanting to
adopt and or foster a child or two from the devastating Katrina. Please contact me via e-mail. Having a hard time finding a contact to give this information to, please help! Thank you ~Linette ~
22 - Mrs. B
Found This:
September 07, 2005
Fostering and Adopting Hurricane Katrina Orphans
I have been receiving emails from concerned families from across America asking how to foster or adopt a child who is missing his/her family since Hurricane Katrina ripped through the Gulf Coast. After placing a couple of calls and surfing the internet for more information on charities, I have completed a new resource addressing the Hurricane Katrina children that I hope answers those questions.
Address is:
http://adoption.about.com/od/fostering/a/katrina2005.htm
23 - shari
i know that is is to early to ask if there is any infant children that need a home i would love to adopt one boy are girl twins three i love children and god wants us to open our hearts they are the future
24 - KARRI MCKAMEY
FRIST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I THINK THE LORD THERE ARE PEOPLE WILLING TO ADOPT CHILDREN! BUT WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT SEX A CHILD IS OR AGE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABANDED OR MISSTREATED. BUT BROKEN HEARTED! SAD AND SOME DON'T KNOW WHY THERE MOMA OR DADDY IS NOT THERE TO HUG THEM AND TELL THEM IT IS OK. CAN YOU JUST IMAGE? IF YOU HAVE A CHILD IMAGE HE OR SHE NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY YOU WAS NOT THERE. SO PLEASE KEEP IN MINE THESE BABY'S NO MATTER THE AGE THEY ARE STILL SOMEONE'S BABY WHO LOVE THEM. PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS THE WRONG WAY. I WAS A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE. AT THE AGE 13 MY GRANDMOTHER RASIED ME. BUT MY LIFE FELL APART WHEN I WENT TO FOSTER CARE. I WAS A GOOD CHILD DID GOOD IN SCHOOL. BUT I WAS LOST AND DID NOT WANT TO LIVE WHY SHOULD I LIVE NO ONE WOULD MISS ME. BUT ONE NIGHT I FOUND OUT THAT WAS NOT TURE I WENT TO SLEEP IN MY DREAM THE LORD CAME TO ME I COULD NOT SEE HIS FACE BUT BLUE AND WHITE FLUFFY CLOUDS AND BRITE LIGHT OVER HIS FACE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HUGE WINGS IN THE BACK GROUND THE LORD OR MAYBE HIS ANGEL SAID AS THE WINGS HUGED ME I CARE TRUST ME! AFTER THAT I PRAYED AND TRUSTED IN THE LORD THINGS WOULD BE OK. SOME TIME HAD PASSED WHEN I GOT A CALL FROM MY CASEWORKER TELLING ME THE JUDGE WAS GOING TO LET MY GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS IN HER LATE 60'S ALSO THREE STATE'S AWAY COULD COME AND GET ME! SO SEE JUST KNOW THAT ALL CHILDREN NO MATTER THE AGE OR COLOR NEEDS LOVE TO FEEL APART OF YOUR HOME AND IN THIS CASE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THERE PARENTS KNOW THERE SPECIAL AND MOM AND DAD LOVED YOU SO MUCH. AND YOU LOVE THEM AS YOUR OWN. THE CHILD WILL LOVE YOU AS MUCH AS THEY LOVED THERE OWN MOM AND DAD. SO PLEASE STOP AND THINK HOW IT SOUND WHEN YOU SAY I WANT A GIRL, AN INFINT OR A VERY YOUNG CHILD. I HAVE MY BROTHER'S BOY,MY BROTHER PASS AWAY WHEN HIS WIFE WAS 8 MOUNTH PERAGENT. THIS TEENAGER 14 WAS TREATED LIKE A RAT NO ROOM NO RULES UNLESS IT WAS GET OUT OF MY FACE. HE WENT WILD. SO I TRUSTED IN THE LORD AND FOUGHT THE SYSTEM. AS AN AUNT WHO'S BROTHER WAS DEAD I HAD NO RITE'S. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT HE MADE F WHEN HE WAS TREATED LIKE A RAT. BUT YOU SHOW A CHILD LOVE AND DISAPLEND TELL THEM YOUR PROUD OF THEM YOU LOVE THEM. THAT CHILD WILL NOT REPET THE CYCEL OF THE POOR LIFE. HE NOW MAKE'S B AND C AND LIKES SCHOOL AND WANTS TO GO TO COLLAGE.
KEEP IN MINE YOUR NOT SHOPPING FOR A PET. I HOPE THIS STORY HELP SOMEONE AND DID NOT HURT ANY FILLINGS. LOVE A CHILD PUT THE LORD FRIST AND I WILL WORK OUT.
25 - kelly vining
MY TV IS ON CNN 24/7 AND IM SO SORRY FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED BUT LOOK IN TOWARD THE LORD . DON'T GIVE UP ON HIM .. I WANT TO HELP A NEEDED FAMILY.. PLEASE CONNECT ME IF THERES ANYTHING I CAN DO .. I LIVE IN WARSAW,IN. MY HEART IS OUT TO EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!