You gave to Katrina, Katrina keeps giving back

 

My name is Lana. Five years ago, I started my college career. Needless to say, I did not think about helping out in the community. After a couple of weeks into school, we were evacuated, because of Hurricane Katrina was coming.  I was from North Mississippi and I did not have a clue about hurricanes.  Some friends and I gathered enough clothes to leave just for one night. We left for that night and returned to our dorm six weeks later. The town where my college was located was destroyed, but not as bad as the coast. When we got back, we started Greek Rush. My sorority helped me get involved. We helped work with people that had lost everything and just help in the community. It was such a blessing to see the thankfulness in people’s eyes. As I went through college, I realized how important it was to help people and how important it was to do just to do simple things. As graduation was getting close and all we could hear about was how horrible the job market was, I was beginning to freak just a little. I needed a job. I knew that a local campaign was coming up in November. This was something that I never thought I would be interested in, but knew it would be great experience. I submitted my resume to them telling them how I would love to volunteer and help anyway needed. I ended up getting a call from the campaign asking if I could come in for an interview. When I got the call, I was thinking an interview was a little much for a volunteer.  I went to the interview the next day and they actually wanted to hire me for a full time position. I was shocked of how wanting to volunteer and help actually got me a job. Sitting in the interview, I was able to relate my previous experience of helping people and interaction with others would help me be the best candidate for the job. I ended up getting the job by putting myself out there.

Here is an update and information on how you can help!

Red Cross Commemorates Five-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

Thursday, August 26, 2010 — The American Red Cross is marking the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina with a dinner honoring first responders, commemorative events in Mississippi and a canvassing event in which volunteers will distribute information and resources to help be better prepared for future disasters.
When hundreds of thousands of people needed help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and two other major hurricanes that followed in the 2005 hurricane season, many individuals, foundations and corporations stepped forward to help. This incredible generosity - as well as the relief efforts of the Red Cross - is detailed in "Bringing Help, Bringing Hope,"an American Red Cross report covering the response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma and the ensuing years of recovery for the survivors.
"Five years ago, the American public responded to Katrina with unprecedented generosity,"said Russ Paulsen, executive director of the Hurricane Recovery Program at the Red Cross. "Looking back, I think they can be proud of what their contributions accomplished."
The American Red Cross will be participating in events across the Gulf Coast over the next several days to commemorate the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

• The Southeast Louisiana Chapter of the American Red Cross will host a Day of Service Readiness Canvassing Event on Saturday, August 28. American Red Cross and Target volunteers will team up to distribute bags with information and resources on preparedness and recovery to homes in neighborhoods heavily impacted by disasters such as Hurricane Katrina and home fires. A similar Day of Service project will also take place in New York City. 

• The Southeast Louisiana Chapter later will host "Heroes of the Storm," a fundraising gala on Saturday, August 28, that will honor first responders and pay special tribute to Gen. Russel Honoré, who mobilized the response. American Red Cross CEO Gail McGovern will introduce Honoré and present him with a special gift. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army, National Guard, employees at Lockheed Martin, Entergy, local police and fire departments, and Red Cross volunteers from across the region will also be recognized.

• The South Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross participated in the August 21st Tears to Cheers Music Festival. The event, held in Biloxi, kicked off a weeklong series of Phenomenal People Celebration of Healing events in observance of the five-year anniversary. All proceeds collected by the vendors at the week of events will go to support the American Red Cross, Hope CDA and other area nonprofit organizations.

• The South Mississippi Chapter will be recognized for their achievements on Sunday, August 29, at a reception hosted by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour in Gulfport. Later that evening, the Governor and First Lady will host the Governor's Cup in Biloxi. The American Red Cross is one of the recipients, along with several other agencies. These awards, one of the highest given by the Governor, are given to honor businesses for their contributions during the past calendar year, raise general awareness about their successful efforts, and showcase their results.

Donors gave the organization a total of $2.2 billion for people affected by the storms, which helped the Red Cross provide:

• Shelter for survivors across 31 states and the District of Columbia
• Hot meals and snacks
• Financial assistance for 1.4 million families to purchase groceries, clothing, diapers and other basic needs; and money for people to return home, make home repairs and get back to work
• Physical and mental health services to help them cope with stress and ease the trauma
• Tools to help survivors chart a path to recovery
• Disaster preparedness training so people know the steps to take to protect themselves and their families

"The hurricanes of 2005 tested us all,"said Paulsen. "Although we're on better footing than we were five years ago, every individual and community has to be on board in order for our country to be more disaster-ready. There is much more that we as a nation can do. Everyone—government, businesses, non-profits and the faith community—needs to work together to have better prepared communities."
The report, "Bringing Help, Bringing Hope: The American Red Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma,"is available at http://www.redcross.org/Katrina5Year.

You can help people affected by disasters like floods, fires, tornadoes and hurricanes, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Contributions may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.