| KATRINA
RELIEF @ FRENCHTOWN.COM |
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| LIKE LIFE, THIS PAGE IS
A WORK IN PROGRESS~~~ The creation of this web page is the result of a serendipitous event of kindness and support from a stranger. This morning (Valentine's Day), I ran out of gas after picking my wife up from her 12-hour nursing shift in Clinton. We had headed home on Country Road 513 when I noticed that the gas gauge registered empty. Real empty, not the 'almost empty' that might have encouraged me to take a chance and try to make it the eight miles home to Frenchtown. So, to avoid the inconvenience and trouble of being stuck on the side of the road at 7:15 on a cold February morning, I turned the car around and headed back towards the nearest gas station - 2 miles away in Clinton. As we headed up each hill, the engine sputtered - not much gas left... As we headed down each hill, the engine sputtered and caught again as the fuel sloshed forward in the tank. We held our breath and prayed for fuel to keep heading into the carburator. And it did. For about a mile... But, as is generally the case in such a situation, it eventually ran out - and we were still well over a mile from I-78 and the gasoline we needed to get home. So I pulled off the road and onto the embankment, hit the 4-way flashers and left Cathy with our dog Dancer as I began hoofing it on foot towards redemption and fuel. I hadn't run out of gas on the side of the road in many years. Neither had I stuck my thumb out into the road, asking for a ride since I was a young adventurer, criss-crossing the US without a car of my own nearly 40 years ago. But that was my best option considering the situation, so out went my thumb. Frankly, I did not expect anyone to stop. By now it was after 7:30 in the morning, and the cars breezing past carried folks hurrying to work and only a minute away from the rush-hour traffic of I-78. But someone did stop. A very special person took the time from his day to help a stranger on the side of the road. We chatted during the now-brief ride to the gas station and when I commented on the fact that I had left my wife on the side of the road on Valentine's day, he told me that his wife was in New Orleans, working with a group who were donating their time and efforts to help the folks down their rebuild their homes and their community -and that for her it was a very rewarding experience. He pointed out that most Americans don't realize that the devastation that hit New Orleans in August of 2005 is far from repaired; that many homes sit still untouched since Hurrican Katrina - and the failed dikes - flooded their homes and devastated their communities well over two years ago. As he spoke, I realized how I could repay his random act of kindness to me... The people in New Orleans still need help. And, since the federal government so far seems to have failed to fully support the rebuilding effort, it was the private groups that were making the difference. And, these private groups needed support from those of us who still have dry homes and are untouched by that disaster. But it's been two and half years and most of us have forgotten Katrina and the people of New Orleans. Living in Frenchtown, and having experienced three major floods in the past five years, we understand floods and how they can affect the lives of people who endure them, and how the common danger brings us together. In fact, when this gentleman's wife raised $4500 during an event in at the Milford Fire House, an anonymous donor of another nearby Hunterdon County river town matched that $4500 with $4500 of her own! See what some encouragement can do? Well, sometimes the kindness of a stranger can result in an unexpected response. This web page is part of that response and this webmaster's committment to assist is my own small way of repaying an unexpected kindness and helping others less fortunate than ourselves. So. Hopefully soon he will see this page and contact me and I will be able to publish some information that will show us how we can help and will encourage us to kick in some time & effort - and some money if we have it - to make life better for those forgotten citizens of one of America's most interesting and unique cities. In the meantime, take a look at this excellent essay by Harry Shearer, who's voice you may have heard on the Simpsons, or whose radio show - "Le Show" you may have heard on NPR radio... His message adds some important background to our own understanding of New Orleans and its citizens. Harry Sheaer's Essay on New Orleans and for more about Hurricane Katrina, visit: The Wikipedia Page about it. - Al Dot Com, webmaster of Frenchtown.com ~ contact the webmaster |
New Orleans is
still a disaster area. Rebuilding takes time and money and the efforts of caring people. We can help. Please let us know you care and visit this page as it evolves. We will add links to ways we can help and stories of the success of local efforts to help those who live 1260 miles away from our secure little Hunterdon County. Let us know that you are interested by sending a message to the webmaster. Thank you. |