Cherrie Groves ok in Louisiana

Blogmaster's note: I e-mailed Cherrie to see how things are where she is in Louisiana in the wake and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Her response follows:


I am just fine. Actually anyone who lives in Ohio or the East Coast received more rain than Northwest Louisiana did. All we got from Katrina weather wise was a day of clouds.

But what we do have are thousands of refugees and more expected. Many are staying with family or friends but we have a thousand in the LSU-Shreveport Auditorium, hundreds in various community centers in both cities and Hirsch Coliseum opened yesterday with about 200 refugees expecting a thousand more. These people will have no homes, jobs, or schools to go back to even when the city reopens.

The projection from local officials is that once the levy is filled it will take two to three months after the water is pumped out before anyone can return. I have been to one of the shelters here in Bossier City (near Shreveport). The people are in pretty good spirits because they are the lucky ones that got out. But many do not know where friends or relatives are, even if they are dead or alive.

While we look at the video and see the poor on the street of New Orleans remember no one will be working or returning to that city. How many of us could afford hotel and restaurant bills for months with our homes and businesses wiped out, banks inaccessible, employers gone? I ask that you give to whatever charity you deem worthy. Beware of the scams.

Long after the television cameras are gone there will still be desperation and crying in the night.

Cherrie