Screaming Penguin - Source Does Matter

My parents are retired and have been Red Cross volunteers for years. My dad has the "gigantor" vehicle drivers license for the "Motorcoach" and hence the Red Cross puts him to work driving the ERV (not just in times of disaster, they also drive people to medical appointments, so on, all year long). Both mom and dad do lots of other Red Cross stuff as well.

Recently they were "deployed" to Gulfport for a Katrina tour. My mom is sending email updates, figured I would share - kind of proud of the parents for their efforts.

Well it took us a while but we got to Gulfport at last. For those who did not know we flew out of Tampa via Atlanta--fog made us land in Pensacola and then when no buses or cars were available we flew back to Atlanta. Got to spend the night in really bad hotel and flew in the next morning. We were asked about our background and when we said computers they pleaded with us to work in admin. We agreed with no other knowledge---turns out was probally a good choice as we get shared car, hotel room (different), 6 days a week at 7am to 5pm. Hotel is really strange-can't drink the water, lots of water spots, no help, lobby is only half there etc. Area has really been hit hard and we have yet to see the worst of it-supposedly us90 and below are basically gone. The shelter where staff stays is nice but 300plus beds in 3 warehouses and one for supply. They have food catered-forest service cooks--3500 calories a day for their diets so I will weigh a ton. We are going to do ERV food duty on Sunday -our day off. It will be much longer day but probably more rewarding. Anyhow will also get to see more of real damamged areas. Some people here are still in shelters though they hope to get those closed by end of month. Seems to me like they will be feeding for months but who knows. Have to return to work---lots of people here of all ages--come on down!

Seriously if you have the time the Red Cross is still looking for volunteers.