500 evacuees likely next Wed.
Up to 500 additional Hurricane Katrina evacuees could be flown into Colorado next Wednesday, based on a new relocation schedule that the Federal Emergency Management Agency released Thursday.
The federal agency devised the schedule to relieve some of the anxiety expressed by state coordinators anticipating the needs of hundreds of people who have yet not materialized, said Polly White, with the state division of emergency management.
“This means that some of us can get some sleep between now and Wednesday,” White said. “All of the receiving states have had dozens of people with the Salvation Army and Red Cross working around the clock to prepare for these folks coming.”
Denver is prepared to receive 1,000 evacuees right now, White said. Six hundred beds are available at Lowry, although 370 of those are occupied. Coordinators also have reserved 400 hotel rooms near Lowry.
The Red Cross, with assistance from the state, the city of Aurora and many volunteers, hopes to have a Family Resource Center up and running at Lowry by today. The center will help set up evacuees with long-term job opportunities, housing and child care.
Sympathetic ear is best medicine
Veterinarians from Littleton who trekked to Louisiana in hope of providing supplies and expertise discovered a sincere ear was the best unmet need they could fulfill.
Jim Hailey, with the My Pet’s Place Center, along with Ray Cox and Markee Kuschel from Deer Creek Animal Hospital, spent nearly four days assisting animal shelters in Alexandria, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The trio took a truckload of supplies, including bandaging materials, shampoo, intravenous fluids, needles, syringes and bottled water.
But they discovered that the phenomenal outpouring of support had them beat. A semi loaded with bottled water and dog food had preceded them. One person offered to deliver 84,000 bales of hay for rescued horses, but the offer was denied because there was no place to keep it. And students, professors and other professionals associated with the veterinarian college at Louisiana State University were working overtime to set up a triage unit near New Orleans.
Once the physical needs were met, people were compelled to talk.
“We just let some of them talk to us and get everything off their chest,” Hailey said. “Losing their homes, watching their businesses go underwater, having one guy lose everything but refuse to part with his three Great Danes – they just wanted to share their frustration with another human being. They are going to need that for a very long time.”
Coloradans show concern
Democrats and Republicans were on the same platform Thursday when they gathered at the state Capitol to collect donations for “Concerned Coloradans,” a rally that will benefit Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
“We fight like cats and dogs, but today we’re doing something good for so many,” Rep. Joel Judd, D-Denver, said.
The one-day rally was sponsored by the Colorado General Assembly, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, 5280 Magazine, KGNU Radio and others.
By noon, cardboard boxes were starting to fill with donated books, toiletries, diapers, adult and children’s shoes and clothing.
Motorists pulled up to the east side of the state Capitol to drop off donated items found in closets, basements and garages.
“I feel like I can’t do enough,” said Brian Roundtree of Littleton. “I feel horrible for what’s going on.”
Roundtree understands catastrophes. In May, his apartment in Parker was destroyed by fire. Donations from the Red Cross and other organizations were provided to Roundtree and his family.
“We have enough now, it’s time to give back,” Roundtree said.
