Almost all of us know somebody from the affected area, at least I can say this being on the East Coast, maybe the further West less so, but most all
of us have contacted and looked into how those of our friends and family have fared. There's so much that is lost, so many things of everyday life we
cant even comprehend or imagine. And night time is the worst. Imagine London in World War Two and the Blitz, entire neighborhoods piles of rubble,
communities homeless, every noise putting you on edge. "Does anybody know were here" the fearful thoughts of the survivors. Rumors of relief coming,
at least the next burg over had some relief come in. Scant food, nearly no water, filthy and in need of a shower, Children in tow, some infants, woman
dealing with their cycles and no toiletries, once pets roaming the streets looking in desperation for their owners, hungry, afraid. The elderly near
incapable of fending for themselves in the best of times, now reduced to complete dependency. The prospect that aid might arrive soon........ but
when....? and a forlorn feeling of despair.
Can we even imagine the scene...... LINK. This Guy has a pretty good grasp on what's going on.
www.databasepublish.com...
People from elsewhere wanting to donate some way....... but how.
The Red Cross has a little spot on your windows front page for donating.... should you punch that? Well remember the scandal some time back where the
people in charge at the top making six figure salaries while running the organization, and pennies on the dollar actually getting to the people? Where
else then if you want ALL your donation to work for relief? I don't have that answer, honestly, I'm ill prepared for some of the logistics.
Thankfully friends with more skill than I possess are taking care of that, while I handle physical stuff. And at sixty one, I'm a bit slower....but
still able. My neighbor an X New Yorker from the 'Island' is coordinating, she better knows where and how to get it done and were letting her take
charge.
A week, a month, two months from now, there will still be wreckage, there will still be those in Dire need of relief, winter will be in earnest. Many
will have filtered out to live with friends of family, or even strangers willing to house and share with them for now.
Rats that they didn't even know they had, uprooted from their lairs underground, dieing, dead or roaming, the perfect breeding ground for disease
like the Black Plague.... yea really... the plague once again threatening life.
A city of eight million..... how many needing medical attention daily, or medications daily like dialysis, diabetics, coumadin patients, children with
ADHD, the list much longer.
You may ask what am I doing if I'm here asking for others to help? Our church has put together a BBQ like we do every year, only the date has been
pushed up, and using the proceeds this year for 'Sandy victims', which usually brings in 7-8 thousand dollars. I'm disabled and older, but Myself
and two others have prepped and done maintenance to the grills and will cook upwards of 750 pounds of pork and about a hundred pounds of chicken, and
all the fixins. It will be a busy all nighter, my arthritis will be hounding my hips, I won't be walking tomorrow, and I'll be cold for the most
part, but no complaints, I know where its going and it makes it all the more bearable
Imagine no basic necessities, like just being able to use a toilet or a sink let alone bathing or showering ..... remember, some only escaped with the
clothes the were wearing.
Days, weeks yet before they will be finding any measurable help.
Jobs gone, cars gone, homes gone, and in the dead of winter. At least Katrina was in a much warmer climate despite the destruction, but this is SO
much different, so much more life threatening.
Hurricane season is not over remember, and with the recent changes in normal weather who knows how the weather will modify itself and time frames
change. Sometimes preparedness is not enough, but for now it makes all the sense in the world. What other calamities await America before spring
arrives.....?