My mom is volunteering at the Astrodome

[Samurai_Writer]

Wanted to report what my mom just told me on the phone. She's an RN, and she is giving out tetanus shots to all the refugees.

There are three buildings at the Astrodome complex -- the Astrodome intself, the Astrohall, and the Astroarena. My mom was in the Astroarena. The refugees are still arriving. After they get off the bus, they go take a shower and get clean clothes. They then go to the medical facility, get their tetanus shot, get checked out, get any meds they need. They have a full pharmacy there, xray machines and labs, and other medical equipment. Even some surgical units, I believe. They then go into the Astrodome and get a cot, food and drinks.

My mom said there were plenty of supplies, food, water, juice, etc. People are going around with trays of sandwiches and drinks, plus they are serving hot meals three times a day. She says everything is very well-organized and running really smoothly.

She said 99% of the people who have come through have been very nice, cooperative, and thankful for the help. The stories are heartbreaking, of course. Most people have been separated from other family members who were sent to other shelters in Dallas and San Antonio, or they do not know where their other family members are.

They are setting up clinics all over the city for the refugees, including those who are living in private housing and being sponsored by various churches. So not only the Astrodome refugees are getting help, but the others who are in Houston. Probably 200,000 people by now.

Just thought I'd share some good news for a change. I'm proud of my hometown, and wish I was there to help. I'm stuck in south Florida right now.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Awesome! Here is a *hug* for her :^)

------------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save the nation!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[applegrove]

2. See what can be accomplished if there is the will. Amazing. I hope

there is counselling too.

[Samurai_Writer]

6. Yes there are mental health professionals there too

They have medical people and counsellors there 24/7 to help the refugees physically, mentally and emotionally.

[bushisanidiot]

3. God bless her!! This is a time for community... the type of community

that makes me proud to be an american.. the kind of community that the repukes don't even recognize because it doesn't occur to them to help their fellow man regardless of their differences in color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, etc..

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. Thanks Bella!

Give you mom a big hug from Big D!

FSC

[roguevalley]

5. I love your mom. I have to tell you, its nice to hear something nice

about Texas. I was beginning to wonder. Bless you and your family and what is happening in Texas right now.

[bpilgrim]

7. thanks for sharing & 3 cheers for your kind mother!

:toast: :toast: :toast:

:hi:

peace

[Samurai_Writer]

10. My mom is awesome...

She is almost 69 years old, works out 3x a week at the Y (including pilates classes), and works as a volunteer teaching English as a second language to adults. She was an RN for 40+ years before retiring 4 years ago. I'm really not surprised she has volunteered and is working 8+ hour days for free to help the hurricane victims.

[SammyWinstonJack]

16. You have a great Mom! Tell her Thank You her for me!

:hug:

[FreedomAngel82]

8. Good news!

I'm glad to hear. :) Earlier this evening on the local news they had a guy being interviewed who was brought here from New Orleans. I didn't hear what he was saying but he had a picture of a little girl (about three I'd say) he held up (maybe trying to find her, I'm not sure since I didn't hear) but he seemed to be happy to be out of New Orleans and all that is going on there.

[all.of.me]

9. what an awesome woman!

thank her for us, and thank you for posting! this feels great. i bet those folks are glad to have some order in their lives, although things are not quite cheery.

[Rainscents]

11. That is wonderful news!!!

I was freaking out all this week and hopless for these poor people who had been through so much. This is wonderful news! Please tell you Mom, thank you and that we care!

[Be Brave]

12. Thank you! It is so great to hear that they are being treated well

and with dignity, like human beings should be treated.

Kudos to your Mom and all of those helping.

[La Coliniere]

13. Your Mom sounds like a gem.

Thanks Mom of RadFemFL!

[Maat]

14. Yahoo for your Mom!

I'm glad to hear things are working well; they should have been working this well in NOLA, Alabama, and Ol' Miss. Too bad we didn't have a ship loaded with the necessary equipment and supplies offshore - oh, yeah, we did - Homeland Security didn't use it!

:eyes:

[Samurai_Writer]

15. Kick for the Monday Morning Crowd (NT)

[Spazito]

17. You must be incredibly proud of your mom, she sounds awesome!

Let her know there is a whole lot of people that thank her for what she is doing!

[Libby2]

18. Great news!!

Thank you for giving us all some hope in our fellow citizens.
Your mom sounds like a wonderful person.
Thank you to all of the volunteers.
(((((((volunteers)))))))

[blondeatlast]

19. Awesome--tell her I said that!

:toast: to a real :patriot:!

[bear425]

20. Awww, B - That's great!

You're mom sounds like a wonderful person. So glad to hear a good perspective of the goings on in Houston. :)

[ananda]

21. After that horrible first day..

.. Houston really got its act together, starting Friday.

Well done us. My school raised quite a bit of money for the Red Cross, and we're taking in teen evacuees as students, even though we really don't have room. It's the only right thing to do.

Sue

[peekaloo]

22. Bless her soul.

These medical pros need a big :hug: for their devotion!

[north houston dem]

23. yea for your mom

my hometown rocks!

[ultraist]

24. Thanks and hugs for your mom!

:applause: :hug:

[JackDragna]

25. Thank your mother for me.

I'm doing volunteer work here in LA and we need all the help we can get.

[quiet.american]

26. God bless your mom and thanks for sharing some good news.

But, please, these are American citizens who are survivors, not refugees.

[Samurai_Writer]

27. Let's not get into the whole refugee/survivor stuff *NT*

[quiet.american]

29. Again, God bless your mom. n/t

[faithnotgreed]

28. thank you radfem mom

[RevolutionStartsNow]

30. That's just excellent!

Sounds like they are well organized and well staffed. Which is exactly what we have needed in this tragedy. Thank your mom from all of us!

[CatBoreal]

31. Your mom is absolutely awesome.

Give her a hug from me.

[Mr_Spock]

32. That's great!

Don't let Jesse Jackson hear you calling them refugees though :D

[librarycard]

33. Please do report again

You're doing a better job than the media.

[Hello_Kitty]

34. "99% of the people who have come through have been very nice, cooperative"

It's so sad that you even have to mention this, because there are so many goddamn bigots in this country.