It was two days after Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans, and the Gulf Coast, that my good friend Joe Prieto decided he needed to do something to help the good people of an area that he truly loved. It was a hot day here in Hinsdale and school was in session but that wasn't going to stop Joe from doing what he could to lend a hand.
In fact, the way I remember it went something along the lines of "I'm calling in and that's that!" He was bound and determined to head south.
We had two Penske trucks loaded with bottled water and we set out for Oxford, Mississippi (University of Mississippi) as that was the closest we could get to the hurricane ravaged area at that time. For Joe, not unlike his work as a Guidance Counselor at Hinsdale Central High School, it was all about aiding people.
We didn't pull into the loading dock area of the campus until well after 1:00 am but Joe wasn't about to stop and get some rest until we reached our destination. We unloaded our trucks got about 3 hours of sleep and headed back to Illinois the next day.
For the next four years Joe would accompany our charity to New Orleans as we delivered student supplies to over 50 schools. It was as if it was a Rite of Spring for this fine man.
This morning I learned that Joe had suddenly passed away. What a fine, generous and kind man. There wasn't a person, NOLA resident or HC student, who Joe wouldn't assist.
Rest in peace my friend, rest in peace
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