>>>You appear to be right about running down there to volunteer. I have been trying to do so and can't find any organization that wants people, they just want money. Maybe this is perfectly reasonable -- trained people wanted, hearts on their sleeve volunteers not needed. I want to help out (more than monetarily, which I have already done) and am thwarted at every turn. It's frustrating.
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>>Mike,
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>>That's not my experience. I contacted the local Red Cross chapter here yesterday and they definitely want volunteers. They have a 2 day training session scheduled for next week that I'm planning to take. After that, its a 3 week commitment to work in the tent cities taking care of the refugees. We already have volunteers working down there.
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>>Regards,
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>It turns out I am going after all. I contacted a local volunteer organization that I have been involved with for a couple of years, and they said they are sending people down. First they said it would be to New Orleans with a two week minimum commitment. Yesterday I heard from the coordinator again and said, whoops, change of plan. They are now sending people to Houston, where there are 250,000 refugees, for a week. 50 of us will be there from the 18th through the 24th.

Good for you! It turned out that I couldn't get into the class as they already had 60 people enrolled. They put me on standby for the next class. Not sure when that will be though.

Regards,