Heroes in Our Midst

In the aftermath of Katrina's fury, I have discovered one positive thing. There are true heroes in our midst, if only we can stop rushing through life for a few moments in order to see them. This post for the blog is dedicated to the many heroes that are around us. For me, heroes are those individuals who are banding together to help one another survive Katrina's aftermath.

• It's the person who wrote the "Dear America" letter which is posted on my blog. Despite being heartbroken about their hometown, they still keep their sense of humor.
• It's the people I've been able to correspond with via email and the internet (many of whom I've never met), who provide support and help. They have forwarded my blog address to others, sent me encouraging notes, and kept my spirits up. As a result, I have received many Louisiana and Gulf Coast stories which I would never hear about on the news. A special thanks to Maria Thompson (www.freebird-zine.com) and Lyn Blair (www.lblairenterprises.com).
• It's the organizations such as i58projects (http://www.i58projects.com/) and many others that are helping give aid at this crucial time.
• It's the people like Marcia Yudkin who have access to a large network of individuals, and she agreed to post my "Please Help Katrina Victims" article (located on my blog) on her web site. http://www.yudkin.com/katrina.htm
• It's a woman named June in California who had relatives in Louisiana come stay with her when Katrina hit. (Her husband was one of 13 children; many lived in Louisiana.) Her friends and family held a car wash / bake sale to raise money to help support her displaced family. Many heroes stopped by that day, wanting to donate money to help these displaced Louisianans get back on their feet. They raised $1,000 in one day.
• It's a 13-year-old boy who, upon seeing the car wash / bake sale mentioned above, said he was going to the store but he would come back and donate the change. He came out with a soda in his hand and gave them the change from a $20 bill. He could have donated just a few bucks but instead, he gave the rest of the money he had. I wish I knew his name. I would elect him President when he grows up.
• It's a woman who, at a gas station in Texas, met some of June's family and learned they were from Louisiana. Despite the polite refusals, the woman insisted on paying for their gas, food, and she gave them $40 spending money.
• It's the famous individuals who are using their fame status to benefit those affected by Katrina. There are many that are participating in this effort, including Morgan Freeman (who lives in Jackson, MS), Sela Ward (who is from Meridian, MS), Hollywood Producer/Director Sam Haskell, Whoopi Goldberg, and many others. They are helping sponsor a Live Aid concert on October 1, 2005, to be held at the University of Mississippi at Oxford.
• It's the people across the country who have donated their time, effort, and finances to help in the Gulf Coast's time of need.

A BIG THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HEROES!