Astrodome update
 

Hello everyone,

I was just reading the lastest posts and I thought I would give an update on the Astrodome situation here in Houston. My husband went down today to help out, he works for Shell and Shell had a sign up for their employees to go down to the Astrodome to work 6 hour shifts.

Seems the population of the Astrodome has gone down considerably as the refugees are finding housing. Yesterday the population was down to 8,000 from almost 15,000 last week.

And today I went to our church and there were signs up saying no more donations of items were needed. Of course, food and money are still needed, but what good news that many of the clothing, toys, shoes, and toiletry needs have been met, at least here in Houston. I did have one friend tell me that they saw mountains of boxes and bags of itmes down at the Astrodome last week, so I suppose the problem could be shortage of volunteers to sort that stuff. (But, and I'm just thinking aloud here, why not have some of the refugees help sort things if that's the problem.) Anyway, the sign did say they didn't need any more donations.

I'm always looking for any bit of hopeful news among this huge disaster so I thought I would pass this tiny little bit on, that at least the refugees have clothes, etc. It's a small start for these people who have such huge challenges ahead of them as they try to get their lives back.

Joan

Kim,
That is good that you are seeing them coloring - it is a good outlet for them, as you already know being an artist.
As it turns out, I've learned that there are people coming into to the D.C. and Virginia area also. I will find out what needs there are with the people in this area.
My mind is bogled with this whole thing - it seems incomprehensible that an entire major U.S. city has been evacuated. Since people are being sent all over the country, I think it is so wonderful what you and others are doing to help families reconnect!!
Mary

Magdelena, I wanted to post a thank you for your donations. I just returned from our evacuation, so I havent distributed, or even opened the box yet, but it was here waiting for me. Im not sure of the status of the refugees from Katrina at this point - they were moved out when Rita was on it's way, but I imagine they are back by now. I will distribute your donations asap.

And a big thank you to Cindy Precious and Max Howard for some HUGE boxes of donations. Those did get distributed before I left. As a matter of fact....was that gum in one box Cindy? Im only asking because they were in my van overnight...and now I have ants in my van! :oops: