Volunteering at the Astrodome
Sep. 8th, 2005 09:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jrisingOn Friday I realized that I could free up the time to volunteer for a couple of weeks. And that was the whole idea behind my giving up teaching for independent coding, so I decided that it was a moral imperative to do so. For once, there's a real need, and I can help. So I got out of all my responsibilities, and I have two weeks to groove at the big party at the Astrodome.
I've been busy getting ready, but it all went well. Work responsibilities are satisfied, play responsibilities are in a reasonably happy state, and if I stay in touch, they'll all remain that way.
I started this entry on the plane down. I'm very excited. I want to blog for real while I'm here, but don't know if I'll have time. I wasn't even able to find a place to stay the first night.
So I came straight to the dome and did a night shift. I was told that I would never be able to get in, but it wasn't difficult and I got the nice little Volunteer band without going through any official registration process. I slept on a cot in the clothing sorting room and was jolted awake by the announcement system starting back up, less than four hours later, but I'm still pretty charged. I just need to call the Youth Hostel so I can get one good night's sleep and a shower.
The system dynamics here are understandably horrible, but better than they are reported to have been a week ago. A call goes out for lots-and-lots of volunteers, and 30 minutes later they have next to nothing to do. A few hours ago, the building I was serving food in had run out while the Astrodome-proper was closing full feeding stations for lack of demand. For approximately two minutes, we were told "Don't feed anyone but evacuees-- we don't have the food!", before they realized that we a good deal more food than we needed.
I'm in one of the main computer labs now, in the Astrodome. Very excited. I'll say more later.
I've been busy getting ready, but it all went well. Work responsibilities are satisfied, play responsibilities are in a reasonably happy state, and if I stay in touch, they'll all remain that way.
I started this entry on the plane down. I'm very excited. I want to blog for real while I'm here, but don't know if I'll have time. I wasn't even able to find a place to stay the first night.
So I came straight to the dome and did a night shift. I was told that I would never be able to get in, but it wasn't difficult and I got the nice little Volunteer band without going through any official registration process. I slept on a cot in the clothing sorting room and was jolted awake by the announcement system starting back up, less than four hours later, but I'm still pretty charged. I just need to call the Youth Hostel so I can get one good night's sleep and a shower.
The system dynamics here are understandably horrible, but better than they are reported to have been a week ago. A call goes out for lots-and-lots of volunteers, and 30 minutes later they have next to nothing to do. A few hours ago, the building I was serving food in had run out while the Astrodome-proper was closing full feeding stations for lack of demand. For approximately two minutes, we were told "Don't feed anyone but evacuees-- we don't have the food!", before they realized that we a good deal more food than we needed.
I'm in one of the main computer labs now, in the Astrodome. Very excited. I'll say more later.
no subject
Date: 2005-09-09 01:54 am (UTC)How many do they have? Do evacuees get access or is it staff only?
I've just been contacted by a volunteer who coordinates priacte housing/transportation with refugees. Her Astrodome contacts have dried up. Would you be interested in being such a contact?
Pass it on: http://www.mixolydian.org/katrina/resources.php
no subject
Date: 2005-09-09 04:58 am (UTC)I can be a contact, but I only just helped with computer stuff (by wonderfully fortuitous timing-- perhaps the topic of my next posting). Tell her to tell me what she'd like, and I'll see if I can do it.
Of course I will pass on your webpage. I assume you also want to know about the pages that are in common use down here?
no subject
Date: 2005-09-09 05:12 am (UTC)Lockdown?
Date: 2005-09-09 06:10 am (UTC)Please email me. I would love to see if you can get these people paged for me. Most of the ones on my list only need TRANSPORTATION out and they have homes to go to. I have run out of people who are looking for housing. I would love it if you would pass out papers with my phone number on it so that people who are tired of waiting around can get the hell out of Dodge.
Re: Lockdown?
Date: 2005-09-09 06:11 am (UTC)I can't wait to hear from you. I hope we can work together on this!
Re: Lockdown?
Date: 2005-09-10 04:24 am (UTC)