August 27-29th

Three years after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and New Orleans, schools remain in need of everything from uniforms to daily supplies to space for classes and activities. That doesn’t even take into account too few teachers and overcrowded classrooms.

Last week, August 27-29, prior to Gustav making landfall, I had the good fortune to deliver 150 pants and polo’s to Murray Henderson Elementary School. To say the least, Ms. Honore was thrilled to receive the uniforms for the children. I noticed a few students in slightly faded tops so the timing was just right.

Across the street from Henderson is William Fischer Elementary, a school which we provided with all sort of aid in early August as well as in the late spring. Schools Count Corp., in our dealings with Fischer, has provided the students with daily essentials, reading books, and uniforms. In the spring we teamed up with AmeriCorps to build bookshelves for thousands of donated books.

As I mentioned at the outset, many needs remain in the wake of Hurricane Katrina let alone Gustav. While at Fischer last week I saw children playing outdoors. They were having a blast pushing one another around on a teacher supply cart. That cart may no longer exist. The thought occurred to me that if students had a number of scooters then more children could play and the teacher would have the use of his/her cart. Volleyball, yes they play it but not in a gym. The children hit balls into an outdoor wall after running up a lumpy grass incline. It seems like they deserve better.

The three-day trip ended with my going to NOLA City Hall to meet the President and Vice President of the City Council. Both Jackie and Arnie thanked our company for our past efforts. In turn, I am pleased to pass along these kudos to you, the volunteers and donors who have done all the work.

In retrospect, I do have one wish after making this trip. I would love to see the ‘officials’ in government witness the children without some of the aforementioned basics. For but a few hours I’d like them to see dilapidated buildings and children fashioning scooters out of teacher carts. It would be well worth their time to see dedicated and competent teachers who are doing are more than anyone gives them credit for. In short, these officials would walk away as I do, on every trip, knowing that more remains to be done for such wonderful people.