# I may be heading South to assist **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 1, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616 "2005-09-01T19:10:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/1 "2005-09-01T19:10:04Z")
Just called the local chaper of the American Red Cross I volunteered to assist (being an ex cop and ex truck driver) If it has wheels I can drive it and if it breaks the law I can arresest it) given the authority- my traing is tomorrow night and all they want is a 2 week commitment -Heck after digging at the WTC I look forward to helping some folks who lived ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/2 "2005-09-01T19:12:46Z")
Good on you **CW**. You are going to be needed! ---
**Author:** ![lizardling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@lizardling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lizardling)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/3 "2005-09-01T19:17:57Z")
Good on you, man. You’ll be racking up a lot of good karma with this one. ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/4 "2005-09-01T19:19:14Z")
I’ve seen the advertisements on the television here for ARC volunteers–must be over 21 and able to committ to three weeks of service. I so badly want to go, but there’s just no way possible (can’t do without income for three weeks, and no home for Hallboy). Thank you, **CWN** , for going. Be safe. ---
**Author:** ![Pixisis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@Pixisis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pixisis)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/5 "2005-09-01T20:36:04Z")
Take care of yourself there. We’ll all be rooting for you. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/6 "2005-09-01T20:48:45Z")
I really, really wish I could go. I am between jobs now and I am from Louisiana and went to college in New Orleans. I mentioned it to my wife and she dismissed the idea because we have a young daughter. I may bring it up again anyway. Can you tell me if the Red Cross helps you get there? I am not sure how that is possible because the nearest airports and car rentals are probably not available. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/7 "2005-09-01T20:51:32Z")
Thank you, **CWN**. I just moved away from New Orleans a month ago and simply cannot afford to give up three weeks of my life (and income) right now, so it’s good to see people who can stepping up to do whatever they can do. Stay safe, and please give us a full report when you get back. ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/8 "2005-09-01T21:01:56Z")
Will do- heck I am a 51 year old fart but can still do law enforcement or trucking if needed will find out tomorrow what is needed and heck if I cant help my fellow country men (or woman) what is the point! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/9 "2005-09-01T23:54:18Z")
Good Luck and be safe. I am waiting for word to drive down and pick up my In-Laws if they ever get rescued from NO. I figured Once they’re out, I could pick them up and we can share the driving back. They’re trapped in Charity Hospital. Medical staff. ---
**Author:** ![KSO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@KSO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KSO)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/10 "2005-09-01T23:59:14Z")
Some chapters are only asking for a two week commitment (which is still a big commitment) and they’re going to need help for months. I’m going to try to go in October or November–I hope I can get the time off from work. I just can’t wrap my head around this situation and I feel like the money I gave to the Red Cross is woefully insignificant. God bless, CWN. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/11 "2005-09-02T00:00:32Z")
Thanks. I was going to tell you to take a gun but since you used to be a cop you know that. Stay safe, and good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/12 "2005-09-02T00:05:17Z")
God bless, **CWN**. I’m sure it’s out of your way, but if for some reason you happen to come through Dallas, let me know if I can help. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/13 "2005-09-02T01:05:46Z")
We’re trying to get one of us down there, too. Our local Fire Chief is taking a head count of CERT volunteers, on behalf of FEMA’s resource identification request to him, who can commit to a minimum of 2 weeks of assistance in the hurricane area. Odds are that my boss won’t approve that long an absence for me, but my husband’s employer _might_. So if he can get them to agree to let him work via remote when time allows (if that’s even possible, depending on where they put volunteers up) and guarantee he’ll still have his job when he gets back, we’ve agreed that he’ll be going. Good luck, **CWN** , our thoughts and gratitude are with you. Wish we could be there with you! ---
**Author:** ![ioioio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ioioio/32/316_2.png) [@ioioio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ioioio)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/14 "2005-09-02T02:20:01Z")
Og bless, **CWN**. With the deteriorating situation in N.O. making the human race look real bad, it’s important to remember that good people like you are willing to go to extraordinary lengths to help out. Take care, and don’t forget to check back in when you can so we know you’re okay. ---
**Author:** ![LVgeogeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b19c9b/32.png) [@LVgeogeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVgeogeek)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/15 "2005-09-02T02:45:28Z")
**CWN** , thank you for volunteering for the Red Cross. I wish I could. My work is very understaffed and also I cannot afford to miss a paycheck. ☹ My Grandmother was a Red Cross Disaster Services worker for nearly 15 years. I always wanted to do it. She said, after she worked Hugo, sometimes it felt like thankless work, because of the demanding lazy people that had no desire to do anything to help themselves and wanted them to do it all for them. But just one person saying thank you and actually being grateful outweighed all of the nasty mean people. I wish you well. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/16 "2005-09-02T02:59:24Z")
Bless you, **CWN**. One of the only good things to come from natural disasters is that some people are able and willing to set aside their personal concerns and rise to the occasion, helping others. My hat’s off to you. ---
**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/17 "2005-09-02T03:19:18Z")
Good luck and God bless! ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/18 "2005-09-02T04:13:11Z")
Geez I am only volunteering to go help my fellow man in his time of need I am not saving the earth! but thank you all anyway–heck I used to love NO ---
**Author:** ![CWN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bc79bd/32.png) [@CWN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CWN)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/19 "2005-09-02T04:17:50Z")
or miss or ark where ever they send me ---
**Author:** ![CBCD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@CBCD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBCD)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2005, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616/20 "2005-09-02T08:22:07Z")
Is the Red Cross only taking volunteers who have had their training? Or can someone who is willing to move boxes for two-three weeks be deployed by the Red Cross? My husband decided last night to volunteer, somehow, somewhere. Any suggestions as to who might take him? (We’ve already given money.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-may-be-heading-south-to-assist/319616.md?page=2)