Around Houston today...
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Around Houston today...
I got a first hand look at things that are going on here because of Katrina. I went to fill in at my old job and went pretty much around the entire city of Houston today and wanted to share what I saw today...
On my way to the Winrock I had to drive past the
astrodome, there were buses as far as the eye couldsee, tents set up outside and donation drop centers EVERYWHERE in that general area. Our street signs that are electronic and usually have updates about traffic,ozone watches, etc... Have #'s for help on them along with where the shelters are with room in them. They said on the radio that Houston is pretty much full,85% of the shelters are filled and then some. That was this morning so I'm sure it's full by now, the signs as of tonight said "Shelter in San Antonio and/or Dallas" guess that means we're full?? I know they are opening up the George R Brown Convention center and Lakewood Church for more people to stay at, along with
the Dome AND reliant stadium to try and accomadate
more people.
EVERYWHERE you look there are donation centers set up I kid you not, you can't look down a major street without seeing something set up. Working today at the Winrock I got to "see" first hand what people are doing as far as living that aren't in shelters, Paul(the owner) made arrangements with several families and they are staying there, other complexes were doing the same thing.
I don't have cable at home and limited tv reception so today was the first "real" glimpse at what all was going on. I went to eat lunch and they had foxnews on and I was just speechless (I knew it was horrible, but SEEING it for the first time just really got to me)you can't go anywhere without hearing someone talking about it or asking what they can do to help.
My mom got an email this morning from a staffing
agency saying they were HIRING 50 people for three
different shifts to go work in the Astrodome. I called to VOLUNTEER so that they wouldn't have to pay people and seems as everyone else thought the same way and now they have volunteers for all the shifts for the next couple of weeks already lined up, along with more people to man the phones.
As I listened and observed "life in Houston" today I was and am VERY VERY VERY proud to be a part of
Houston. I can say that people have stepped right up and we're taking care of what needs to be done, ourpopulation EXPLODED over the last couple of days and so far things are going okay...
Mom and I are going tomorrow to buy diapers, wipes, femine products, some canned goods, and water to take down to the Astrodome. We're going to hit some garage sales in the morning and get some children's clothes(they said they are in DESPARATE need of kid's clothes) and some other clothes to take down there.Mom's department has sponsored a family and we're going to go get the things that they've requested and deliver them as well.
Just wanted to share my experience from today being out and around the different parts of Houston. Did my heart good to see such wonderful things going on for so many that need it.
Christy
Christy,
Would you be ok with me shipping some supplies to you for donation? I'd really like to help somehow, and can get some kids' clothing, toiletries, and other supplies as a "care package" of sorts. Of course, no one is taking "in kind" donations, but I'd love to be able to send stuff to help out. If that would be ok, please email me at cjaping at gmail dot com with a list of useful items.
Thanks!
Crystal I just emailed you. That would be great, I'll make sure anything sent gets there right away.
I'm proud of Houston too, they are doing a much better job of taking care of New Orleanians than New Orleans is doing.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, I can imagine how proud you are of your area. And how great to volunteer your help.
I have a friend in Florida that said that many intersections in her town have trucks set up to receive donations for victims. They are being asked to offer temporary housing as well. And my friend is going tomorrow morning to volunteer at the local fire department, preparing and boxing donations. And I have a good feeling this is just a sampling of what is going on through out the states.
Ironically, I just gave several bags of my daughter's outgrown clothes to Goodwill just last month. I would have been happy to send them all to you! I'll see if I can come up with anything else.
I am amazed at Houston also. That is alot of refugees you got. You should be very proud of the city.
You should be proud of Houston, but also proud of yourself for doing all that you can to help out.
Major Kudos to Houston and to everyone willing to help out. Hopefully the city's patience holds out, because I think this will be a looong process.
Good for you and thanks to Houston!!  We simply can't hold anymore people here and have enough food, gas, schools, healthcare for everyone so we really appreciate Texas being so willing to take on so many.
Christy, how are things going today? I keep hearing how crowded Houston is, and that people are migrating up into central TX. It makes me wish I was home so I could help directly! Y'all are really doing a wonderful job helping these people, I'm so proud of TX right now!
It's just amazing the number of people they are bringing here... I can't get over it.
These are #'s I've seen this morning:
7,000 on cruise ships docked out in Galveston (I believe I read that correctly) from 3 cruise lines that cancelled trips for 6 months...
15,000 in the Astrodome
3,000 so far at the Reliant Arena with speculation of the stadium opening up soon for people
11,000 evacuees expected at the George R. Brown Convention Center
that's not mentioning the people who have came and gotten apartments, staying at hotels (we are full all around here in my immediate area) and the churches, etc that are shelters and are full.
In Dallas, we're getting 25,000 of the homeless evacuaees (in addition to the ones who came prior to the storm and went to hotels and relatives' homes but need long term help) and it's a huge challenge to absorb that many poor folks. It's really taking every person, church, charity, etc in the city to donate and volunteer. It's just a city based operation at this time. They have evacuees on the road here and have no idea where they are going to put them.
I don't know how Baton Rouge is handling the 300,000+ that they have!! Houston seems to be doing great.
My oldest DD and DGD are in Dallas and she's thinking about putting roots down there. There's a lot more opportunity there for her and Madison and for their future than returning to LA. I don't know what she's going to do though.
Dallas is a wonderful area, I have family in Plano and I've always said that if I didn't live in Houston/Deer Park I'd live in Plano.
I wish her well with whatever she decides to do, I can't imagine having to make that kind of decision because of these circumstances.
Christy, do you know if we can UPS shipments to the Astrodome? I have 500 pairs of ladies sandals my company is donating and don't know if I can just send them there or not. We have been searching around, locally they won't take them yet only cash, we have one private truck going but not till the 12th. If you have any info that would be great.
TIA our Houston Connection
I do not believe the astrodome is taking shippments yet. I do know there are several local churches that would be more than willing to take care of things like that. Two that come to mind are gateway community (www.gateway-community.org) and gloria dei luthran church in nassau bay. Also one of the biggest NON red cross places here is called Interfaith Caring Ministries.
Karen, dallas is a great place. It is very much a place with jobs in retail and sales (houston is much more commericial). The climate is good, no hurricanes, tornados, etc. Their bad weather is hail storms..LOL. The temp is a little milder there, not quite so humid. It is my hubbys top place to live in the state, I need to be near the water, so it isn't so high up for me. But there are some lakes near by
Christee I heard the same numbers, there reall are masses here. One important thing that NON texans need to know about houston, is it is huge. I kid you not to drive north to south is over 60 miles, probably the same wide. I am south of houston (still in houston) and it takes me at least an hour to get to the west of town and about 45 mintues to get east. It is a big place, our current population is over 4 million. Also a school perspective. In my school district, which isn't large like houston, we have about 20 elementary schools (about 800 students each one), we have 8 intermediate schools (about 1000 each one) and 3 high schools, with a 4th being built, there are about 600 in a graduation class. Just some perpective.
Kym... what a wonderful thing for your company to do!!! I'm not sure about the astrodome taking UPS shipments, from what I've heard they aren't. Start out with what Kaye gave you above and if they aren't able to help you let me know (christylee05 at sbclglobal dot net) and I'll see what else I can find out.
Kaye, you are SOOO right! What makes it even harder is the suberbs (sp??) are so close that you still sort of consider yourself part of Houston and that adds to the size of the area that has been affected.
What school district are you in Kaye, I forget where exactly you are?
another bit of info... I heard on the radio about 2 hours ago that the Superdome is EMPTY!! WONDERFUL!!!!!!
Driving home tonight on the street signs they said "buses with evacuees divert to Ft Chafee, Arkansas" so I guess that is where the rest of the people are headed from the Superdome.
My aunt called tonight and my 19 year old cousin is heading to New Orleans tonight with the Dayton Volunteer fire department to help in any way he can. If you could keep him in your prayers along with everyone else on thier way to help.
Columbus, Ohio is to start seeing victims with in the week according to the News tonight. I think they are using major cities down there to get them stable (hopefully reunited) and then they will be spreading them out more and sending them around to the other states. Columbus is going to be using some of their hotels to house them. Gosh knows they have hundreds and hundreds of them.. We have other cities in Ohio that are ready and willing to step up and help too.
Christy, I am in clear lake.
We aren't far from each other at all!
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