Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
What a community, what a response
BY SHERRY FICKLEN
When Molly and Jason January decided to get together with the community to collect items for victims of Hurricane Ike, they had no idea what kind of response they were going to receive. For the most part, Port Lavaca citizens are known to lend their neighbors a helping hand in times of need. However, since Ike was forecasted to pay Calhoun County an unwanted visit just days before it made landfall, many people found it in their hearts to dig through their closets and pantries to help the many residents of Galveston and the surrounding communities.
The Port Lavaca Wave seemed to be a popular drop-off spot for donations. Before the week was over, the office was overloaded with bottles of water, non-perishable foods, clothes, shoes, toys and more. Some of the items that people brought in were slightly used and some were not so slightly used.
As donations were brought in, we at the Port Lavaca Wave heard many stories of how people wanted to help the victims of Hurricane Ike. Some told of relatives and friends that were in the midst of the devastation caused by Mother Nature herself. Many people had their own ideas of what Port Lavaca may look like had we not been spared during the last few hours before Ike made landfall. Some thought we would have fared ok; some said the opposite. Many people talked of their experiences during Hurricane Carla back in 1961. Some stories did not have happy endings. Whatever the case, we listened.
All in all, there was a sense of eeriness about the array of stories we heard. Maybe it was a sense of relief as the residents of Calhoun County came so close to being struck by a major Hurricane within the last few years; or maybe it is just plain and simply an uneasy feeling.
Whatever the case, the citizens of Calhoun County dug deep in their hearts and felt compelled to donate. When Molly and Jason arrived at the Wave, they were surprised at the many items we had collected during the past week. They loaded it into the trailer with a sense of excitement to deliver all of the much-needed goods. Upon returning from their weekend trip to the Galveston area, their faces were filled with a sense of solitude as they paid a follow up visit to the Wave.
Three weeks after Ike struck, the Januarys told of the mass devastation that still plagues that area of the Gulf Coast. One thing that remained vivid in their mind was the overwhelming stench that filled the air. Jason said, “It was awful but the people there didn’t even notice it”. He said one woman told them, “You get used to it after a while”. The Januarys reported that rubble was piled everywhere. There were boats in yards and a truck sitting on a pier that hauntingly remained standing out in the open water off the beach. For the most part, there was still no electricity and most businesses remained closed except for a Sonic drive-in that was recently opened and cars were lined up to most likely order an icy cold drink or steaming, hot cheeseburger.
The Januarys, along with volunteers, Kadee Drake of Little Friends Daycare, Bill Holiday of Point Comfort United Methodist Church, and Floyd Felder, parked on the side of the road instead of going to one of the many tent style shelters in the area. They waited for a few moments until people slowly came up to the vehicle. Their attitudes were somber, yet grateful and ecstatic to receive such simple items that we take for granted every day. One child, Jason said, was thrilled to receive a toothbrush; another young girl, a pillowcase.
It was hard to fight back tears as we heard the stories. It could have been us. It makes one wonder. What would happen if we no longer had our job? Our home? If our friends were scattered or even worse, missing? It could be us, gratefully accepting a toothbrush from a complete stranger. Reflecting back, Jason said, “It was a very moving day.”
The Port Lavaca Wave seemed to be a popular drop-off spot for donations. Before the week was over, the office was overloaded with bottles of water, non-perishable foods, clothes, shoes, toys and more. Some of the items that people brought in were slightly used and some were not so slightly used.
As donations were brought in, we at the Port Lavaca Wave heard many stories of how people wanted to help the victims of Hurricane Ike. Some told of relatives and friends that were in the midst of the devastation caused by Mother Nature herself. Many people had their own ideas of what Port Lavaca may look like had we not been spared during the last few hours before Ike made landfall. Some thought we would have fared ok; some said the opposite. Many people talked of their experiences during Hurricane Carla back in 1961. Some stories did not have happy endings. Whatever the case, we listened.
All in all, there was a sense of eeriness about the array of stories we heard. Maybe it was a sense of relief as the residents of Calhoun County came so close to being struck by a major Hurricane within the last few years; or maybe it is just plain and simply an uneasy feeling.
Whatever the case, the citizens of Calhoun County dug deep in their hearts and felt compelled to donate. When Molly and Jason arrived at the Wave, they were surprised at the many items we had collected during the past week. They loaded it into the trailer with a sense of excitement to deliver all of the much-needed goods. Upon returning from their weekend trip to the Galveston area, their faces were filled with a sense of solitude as they paid a follow up visit to the Wave.
Three weeks after Ike struck, the Januarys told of the mass devastation that still plagues that area of the Gulf Coast. One thing that remained vivid in their mind was the overwhelming stench that filled the air. Jason said, “It was awful but the people there didn’t even notice it”. He said one woman told them, “You get used to it after a while”. The Januarys reported that rubble was piled everywhere. There were boats in yards and a truck sitting on a pier that hauntingly remained standing out in the open water off the beach. For the most part, there was still no electricity and most businesses remained closed except for a Sonic drive-in that was recently opened and cars were lined up to most likely order an icy cold drink or steaming, hot cheeseburger.
The Januarys, along with volunteers, Kadee Drake of Little Friends Daycare, Bill Holiday of Point Comfort United Methodist Church, and Floyd Felder, parked on the side of the road instead of going to one of the many tent style shelters in the area. They waited for a few moments until people slowly came up to the vehicle. Their attitudes were somber, yet grateful and ecstatic to receive such simple items that we take for granted every day. One child, Jason said, was thrilled to receive a toothbrush; another young girl, a pillowcase.
It was hard to fight back tears as we heard the stories. It could have been us. It makes one wonder. What would happen if we no longer had our job? Our home? If our friends were scattered or even worse, missing? It could be us, gratefully accepting a toothbrush from a complete stranger. Reflecting back, Jason said, “It was a very moving day.”
 |
 |
|
| Boys, bonfires, battles and... milk? | Should 18 be the new 21? |
Article Rating
Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of portlavacawave.com.
Sheryl Cuellar wrote on Oct 15, 2008 11:55 PM: