Hands On New Orleans

[marathoner452]

Just when I think I have everything figured out, I get a phone call from the Southeast Louisiana Red Cross chapter in New Orleans. I have an interview on Thursday and I need to let the NPRC at the Red Cross chapter in Baltimore know my final decision by Friday.

This is scary but I wouldn't trade this chance for anything.

Needless to say, volunteering with Hands On New Orleans last week was another eye-opening experience. It's one thing to serve hundreds of meals to the residents of New Orleans and St. Bernard; it's quite another to go through their homes at their request and put what were their lives out for trash pickup. It forced me to reconsider what material stuff is worth anyway. It forced me to think that yeah, swinging a crowbar at moldy drywall in sticky heat can be construed as fun or at least great anger management, but you're talking about people's lives here. Tearing down to rebuild. You can't get much more hands-on than that. 

So thank you batemanenroute for inviting me down there, and thank you roadwarrior220 and ratkrycek for giving your time to rebuild New Orleans.  Thank you drunah and flamingjune07 for welcoming us with open arms and telling your stories.  popeguss, 30toseoul, and auryn24, I'm sorry we didn't get to meet this time, but I will be back.  We will be back, because we have not forgotten.

~Bethany

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/infinitely_/]

that is exactly what we did in St. Bernard Parish over spring break, and it was definitely a very emotional experience, especially when the homeowners were present. It was exhausting work, but you never lose sight of the big picture when its all around you.

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

Something told me you weren't done with interviews just yet. I know you'll do well at it, and I know your decision won't be easy now, but like we've all been saying, the decision will come to you. You continue to be in my prayers.

And thank you for being a part of the experience with me. I couldn't have imagined going through it with anyone but you, my best friend. You and I are still gonna save the world together, because we're the kind of people who know what needs to be done.

~Adam

[drunah.livejournal.com]

thank you for coming.

And good luck with all your possible opportunites. :)

[popeguss.livejournal.com]

You're still my hero. I really can't thank you enough for what you're doing and what you've done. I've always hoped that I personally could change someone's life for the better. And, you've changed so many lives. You're an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many others. We will meet next time you're down here, I promise it.

[auryn24.livejournal.com]

Thank you again for everything that you've done. I'm SO sorry I didn't get to meet you (again!). Please don't lose my number. With you coming back down, I WILL eventually make it down there to meet up with you.

I had my best friend down this past weekend (who I hadn't seen in over a year) and we were swamped with stuff.

Thank you again. It really means a lot to me that someone would take the time, energy and part of their life to help out. Our city is still not healthy...