Becky White and I are currently at the staff shelter in Baton Rouge, resting up and waiting on Hurricane Ike to pass. We woke up about 5:30 a.m. this morning to the sounds of the shelter manager saying we were under a tornado warning. At about 9:00 a.m. I walked over to the coffee shop to grab a cup of coffee. Becky called me to say we were in another tornado warning. Wouldn’t you know that we are under tornado warnings right now? The weather changes so quickly.
 
We are enjoying the day of rest and relaxation, preparing ourselves for the next few weeks of working long hours to help those affected by Hurricane Ike. Right now we are watching a movie on a projector screen. Some people are sleeping, some are doing puzzles or playing cards. The chef from the American Culinary Federation is cooking dinner for us with help from the volunteers in the kitchen.
 
Since we have some time, I have to mention the ERV experience, as Becky has already pointed out. We went with a man and a woman from Boston and LA respectively and handed out about 500 meals to the people that needed it most. We met so many people who needed our help.
 
As I close this entry, I wanted to share with you two memorable experiences I have had in one short week. One night, Becky and I had stopped at a gas station on the hour car ride from the staff shelter to the kitchen site we were working. We were standing in line to pay, still dressed in our Red Cross clothing, and had the remnants of food all over us, and the clerk refused to let us pay. She said, “you all are doing great things and this is my thanks to you for how you are helping my community.”
 
It was so great to see and hear from someone that respects the organization I am working for. It is a great feeling to be a part of the Red Cross during this time.
 
Another time, Becky and I were feeding people at the ERV and a woman came up to us and said, “The Red Cross took care of me during Katrina and I don’t know what I would have done without you.” Now there is some food for thought.

 

Angela Hakim

Americorps Member working for the Red Cross

St. Louis, MO

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