Ronald Vojacek's Hurricane Journal

UPDATE October 5, 2005

Since arriving in Alexandria and beginning our volunteer efforts time has flown. I thought I would be updating this blog more often, but after the long hot days working in the sun there just isn't much energy in the eveving.

Alexandria is now the temporary or some may become the permanent home of many evacuees from New Orleans and other areas. We have been fortunate to have lodging in a Holiday Inn because there are many evacuees living in the hotel as well as in a shelter behind the hotel. This has given all of us an opportunity to hear first hand descriptions of how the hurricanes destroyed the homes and livliedhood of many people.

People who have returned to their homes have told us that though the homes were still standing, mostly everything was destroyed because of flooding. It may be years before some people can get back into their homes if ever.

My job has been providing meals to evacuees at the local FEMA relief center. Yesterday we served over 1,200 meals in just over three hours.

Serving the meals has given me another opportunity to meet people and listen to their current situation. Listening has been very important and is helpful to those who just need to get some things off their chest. We have had several people breakdown while waiting to get their food.

Today, I saw a young couple taken aways in handcuffs. They were using various ideas to collect funds and we discovered in line waiting for help today. They had already collected over $10,000. Tonight their shelter is a bed behind bars.

Earlier in the week my son Keith was asked to be the bestman/witness for a marriage of a couple living in a shelter. Keith has a knack for getting to know people and he meet them in the hotel lounge. I photographed the wedding and presented them with a photo album today.

I realized just how small of a world it is when my daughter who was doing her volunteer job of providing financial assitance to indviduals just happen to meet a friend of Vallery Gaines. Vallery's friend's home was under water and will probably have to be destroyed and rebuilt.

I will try to update one more time before I leave and then once I get back. I am anxious to see my wife and youngest daughter Nicole and also to get into cooler weather. The temperature has been in the 90's everyday and the humidity has been very high.

See you soon. I hope you enjoy some of the photos below.