Hey, you Texans!

[donnamp14]

:) I just read on CNN that Texas has offered to take another 25,000 refugees from the hurricane. Your state has been there with the offer of help since Day One, and you ought to be proud. We're all UNITED States, and you're setting the example. Good luck (you'll need it!), and thanks!

[Beth]

We're friendly folk, so leave your AK47s at home and welcome! ;)

[LonghornGal]

LOL. Tomorrow is my day off and I'm thinking after reading the threads on donations, etc, that I may go to the local shelter and see how I can help. I'm wondering if the kids there might like some pet therapy with fun dogs.

My parents have a condo for sale, they've opened it up to people displaced from the Tulane Hospital (my mom works for the same company). There's no furniture but it's easy to round up the basics.

I'm really proud of my company. They have a Hurricane Relief program that started ramping up before the storm, a warehouse full of product, and mobile kitchens and truckloads of product already in Houston and East TX, with more on the way. The local customers have responded with so many questions that they've had to open up the 24 hour hotline over the weekend to coordinate all the food and water related donations that are coming in.

[Beth]

Kristin, the big store here is also one of the big drop points for food donations. Most of my clothing will be going to the schools and families we will be taking in here, I delivered a cot and air mattress this morning, and the other things may all go close to home too. It really seems odd when we didn't get a drop of rain and have felt so close and yet so far away.

BTW, they also were a big contributor when we had a senior and disabled housing comples fire here about a month ago. I don't like the fact that they don't let the kid's groups sell or collect donations in front of the store, but they have been stepping up on the biggies, and I'm glad to see that.

[Terri_A]

I am proud as well of my home state's hospitality so far. I have to say, that part of me is a bit worried as to what we will do with all these people. It's not as if they need a place to stay for a week...it will be months! As it is, the Port of Houston is taking shipments that were scheduled for NO, conventions are trying to rebook to Houston, it's a lot of influx in a short period of time. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

On the flip side, my 3 1/2 year old offered her toys when she heard kids had nothing to do in the dome...we cleaned out the playroom tonight and have asked friends to do the same. I'll be delivering at least 5 or 6 lawn trash bags full of toys somewhere this weekend.

My heart breaks just thinking about what those poor people are going through.

[mrswaz]

On the flip side, my 3 1/2 year old offered her toys when she heard kids had nothing to do in the dome...


How sweet! You should be very proud of your daughter.

[Beth]

I am also a little concerned. I think we can work with it all if the people get food, water, AC and some communications (they have a computer center and phone lines as well as television set up for those who are at the Astrodome so that they can get in touch with others and begin to figure out where to go from there). I'm very proud of the thought that has gone into trying to empower these folks and put them back into a life after near death. I can only hope that they respond to the hospitality with better than we have seen and heard about from some.

They should be duly warned, though. I thinkthe Texas spirit will welcome then with arms open wide, a warm heart and a smile -- but don't you dare double cross us. Only half kidding.

[Terrytx]

:) I just read on CNN that Texas has offered to take another 25,000 refugees from the hurricane. Your state has been there with the offer of help since Day One, and you ought to be proud. We're all UNITED States, and you're setting the example. Good luck (you'll need it!), and thanks!

That's so sweet of you, and we need all the luck we can get-I think.

[donnamp14]

Terry- You're quite welcome. I have always had a soft spot in my heart (or is it my head?) for Texas! Good luck and God bless you all!!!
-Donna