We left Sunday at 4:30am, took the shuttle to Atlanta, and waited 3 hours for the flight to Tampa. I ended up renting a car because a woman was there from GA, didn’t drive and there were 4 of us already – we couldn’t leave her. We had instructions to go to Orlando, so off we went in 2 cars.

Red Cross (RC) Headquarters was chaotic at best – too many people showing up and not enough assignments in place, because the areas are often w/o power or clear roads. But they “process” you first – paperwork, interviews, orientation. It all happens in a flurry.

All the people that came with me with left at 5am to go do mass feedings in Punta Gorda. They serve in Mass Care. I do Family Services, and was all alone. Luckily, you are never alone in the RC. I have been adopted by the Huntsville AL contingent, and assigned to them starting tomorrow. Today was more classes on how to use the new computer system, how to issue funds, etc. I hear the headquarters is moving to Breddington tomorrow but I’m staying here to help with the Orlando area victims,which is fine with me – I have a hotel room. I may be sleeping in a shelter myself once I go to the SW area of the state.

I found Walmart and bought a towel and washcloth – in case I am in a place with noshowers later on – as well as extra underwear and socks because they sure won’t have washers.

What is amazing here is the sense of community amongst the volunteers. No one is a stranger, everyone wants to welcome you, especially when they find you are”out for the first time.” Most of these people went to 9/11 and said it was the most worthwhile thing they ever did. Don’t get me wrong, the RC has it’s shareof prima donnas, but they are the exception. It’s mostly retirees, who do this because they have time, and love what they do. They really care and it shows in the way they

treat the clients. Some of them appear so frail, but this is tough work – long hours, and a lot of stress. They have strength you would never see on the surface.

Damage-wise, Orlando is very messy and still has pockets of outages. As I drove in this morning, I had to traverse an intersection of a 6 lane highway, with the lights out. At least they were working on the signals, I thought, as I drove under a bucket carrying a traffic worker. Then an 18″ piece of steel fell from the light, smashing right in front of my car. My Baptist passenger learned a new word, I am sure. She just said, sometimes you just have to do and ask forgiveness later J. I bet she thought something similar. Lots of trees are uprooted, billboards destroyed, roofs damaged, but nothing like Port Charlotte. I dread going there as much as I look forward to it – that’s where the real need is.

I wrote a lot because I don’t know what my schedule will be after tonight. I stayed in. I figure I’ll have more company than I’ll ever want soon enough so a night alone was in order. I brought up a sandwich, and will turn in early. There is somuch more I could say, so many nuances. But it’s turned dark and Disney just let off their evening fireworks, which I can see. Despite the destruction life goes on.

* * *

My new friend from AL worked a shelter yesterday and opened a case for a young

family. They were in their 20’s, w/ a young child. The father has had kidney stones and has been unable to work full time. Mom was 1 semester short of a 4 year degree so is waitressing. They finally got themselves a mobile home – which was destroyed Friday. They lost everything. She looked at my friend with total honesty and said “My faith in God will get us through”.

My friend burst into tears. After all they lost, that girl still had faith. People are

amazingly resilient.

*motto of the American Red Cross