From: Don Bowen KI6DIU <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>
To: homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: [Homestead] Qualcomm stadium evacuation center
Date: Wed, 24 Oct 2007 14:56:23 -0700
It was mentioned on an earlier post about the surreal atmosphere
surrounding the Qualcomm Stadium evacuation center. I spent the night
working a shelter myself and want to dash off a reply before going to sleep
in preparation for another 12 hour shift.
The rock bands, gourmet buffets, and all the rest, none was paid for by any
agency. Those bands were people wanting to help, break the boredom of
people worried if they would have a home to return to, people worried about
missing relatives and pets. Bands showed up saying we can do this to help
and help they did. Restaurants saw customers in distress and said we can
do this to help and help they did. No different than the thousands of
people who have dropped off food, clothing, taken in animals, filled houses
with evacuees, worked long hours volunteering. It may have been surreal
but it was just people wanting to help people, no more no less, and exactly
what you will see in any community.
I could go on about my own shelter work in a fancy hotel but time for some
sleep before going back at it, doing what I am scheduled to do for the next
week along with thousands of other volunteers.