Quote:
Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
You mean like Katrina? Yea, that really brought out the best in humanity, didn't it? Between the lootings, the shootings, the rapes, etc. . .  Yes, there were a few heroic stories that came out of that mess, but largely it did more to shake my belief in the inherent goodness of people than to bolster it.
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Okay, I've been back to New Orleans twice since Katrina to do volunteer construction work. What you see on the news is people complaining about FEMA. What you don't see is groups like mine having to schedule a time with all of the other volunteer groups for a time slot.
"Let's see.... the Baptists are going to be here this week, the Presbyterians are coming next, can you guys come down after that, before the Catholic youth group gets here?"
People have really stepped up to help. Mostly faith-based groups. My gang is mostly skilled construction pros, and the local people we've hooked up with have done a great job having unskilled groups take care of clean up, so when we get there, the site is clean, and materials are stocked on site, so we can hit the ground running.
Another trip in April is now in the planning stage.
Sure, the ugly things get the news cameras. But to see the human spirit first hand has been great. I'm amazed at the positive attitudes so many have shown for all they have gone through.