Asthma means no Katrina deployment

[Earstou]

I signed up with the Red Cross thinking I could help with the shelter they set up here. Did work 3 days registering new volunteers. But then they took the shelter down because the evacuees didn't want to come here (have to admit, I felt the same way when I first came here).
So I attended training yesterday and found out they won't be sending anyone with asthma on the katrina disaster relief trips. This is because of all the nasty stuff in the air from the contaminated water.
I understand the reasoning, but am disappointed I can't go and help!
Thought I would give a heads up to others with asthma who might be thinking of going.

 

[ducklite]

This is not meant as a flame!

I suffer from asthma, and there's NO WAY I'd DREAM of working at a "front line" site. The last thing I want to do is become a casualty myself!

Did you ask if you could do any more volunteering locally? I've been able to get a ton of things done, money raised, backpacks donated, etc. without ever going more than five miles from my home. The power of the Internet and free long distance at work! In fact because I use Vonage (free LD anywhere in the US and Canada, anytime, any day, unlimited) the groups I volunteer for have had me spending a LOT of time on the phone. I COMPLETELY lost my voice last weekend, literally if I had to call 9-1-1 I wouldn't have been able to tell them what my emergency was.

Sorry you are disappointed, but there are still plenty of things you can do locally. Organize a backpack drive in your neighborhood. Do typing or filing for the Red Cross. Volunteer in the Salvation Army Thrift Store. Volunteer at your local food bank. A lot of the LOCAL charities are going to be affected negatively because people are giving so much time and money to disaster relief. See who you can help locally--their needs haven't changed just because of a disaster elsewhere. Thanks!

Anne

 

[Earstou]

I wasn't expecting OR dreaming to be on the front lines. I expected to do Mass Care, working in a shelter, or helping with the food service in the shelter. Yes, I have asked about local volunteer opportunities for Red Cross, and they have all the help they need right now. Due to being hearing impaired, phone calling is a real struggle for me, I struggled with it at the command center last weekend, so we realized that's not a good job for me.
I was working with my church doing some volunteering, but I wanted more.
I was just posting in case others with asthma were thinking of deployment.

 

[ducklite]

Try the food bank--they always need people to help sort and bag groceries.
Also Meals on Wheels usually needs drivers if that's an option for you. One more idea--if you have a residence for AIDS/crack babies in your area they often need people to rock and cuddle babies. My friends mom does that, and she's profoundly hard of hearing. Thanks for caring!

Anne

 

[arminnie]

Thanks for the reminder about asthma. My zip code 70115 is opening up on Wednesday.

I wasn't planning on going because the water isn't safe yet, but I need to pay attention to the air quality too because of my asthma. At least remember to take my rescue inhaler along with masks when I do go back.