Hurricane Ike and Aftermath

Thanks to all of you who emailed wondering how we are the kids were affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Thankfully (for us) Ike turned north before reaching San Antonio. Instead of 70mph winds that had been predicted early in the week, last Saturday was the hottest day of the summer at our house with the thermometer reading over 100 degrees and not a bit of breeze. It felt as if all the energy in the atmosphere had been sucked into the storm.

After we left the counselors office Friday afternoon Charlie asked me in an excited voice with an edge of concern, "Miss Stephanie, did you know that there is a storm in the Golf Course?" When we arrived at our house he jumped from the car and ran inside to ask Randy the same question.

As we did with Hurricane Gustav a few weeks prior, we assured the kids that the "golf course" was a long ways away, that we would be safe, and most importantly, we live on the top of a hill and no water will come into our house - ever!

Much of Houston and surrounding areas are still without power and Galveston was pretty much washed away. When people evacuate they think (or hope) that they will be able to return home in a few days. I try to imagine myself sleeping on a cot in a shelter and wonder how people do it for weeks on end with no privacy and none of the conveniences of home.

The lucky few who have savings to get them through or insurance to help offset the costs can find a hotel. Some stay with friends or family, but you know what they say about having company for more than a few days. No matter what the situation, it becomes a trying time for everyone and soon nerves are on edge.

If you want to help, local shelters can always use volunteers. The San Antonio and Houston chapters of the Red Cross are the places to contact. Volunteers will be needed as long as the shelters are open to those who cannot return home. Whether it is mopping or floor or lending an ear to someone who needs to talk, the volunteers make the shelters possible.

The local news asks for donations to the San Antonio Food Bank as they are primarly responsible for feeding thousands of evacuees. The best way to donate to them is with cash, as their needs change daily for food and personal items such as underwear that needs to be purchased.

The Houston Food Bank has been serving those who have no electricity so they can have clean water, ice and essentials.

Your church may have disaster relief services or funds, or there are numerous organizations such as the Red Cross who provide support and services.

The vast majority of the responsibility of caring for evacuees falls on the community that takes them in. It is the volunteers and the donations that make shelters, food and comfort available to those who have lost their homes or cannot return to their homes yet. Please think about what you can do to help them out.

It was through volunteering at a shelter following Hurricane Katrina that we met the Thornton family and we now have the joy of "our kids". While we never expected to find this family that we "adopted", we never know what life we may touch.

Until next time . . .

Stephanie

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