On a different note for help. Travis Heights Elementary (and I imagine other schools as well) will have several (don't know the exact numbers yet) families coming from those areas devastated by the hurricane and flooding. Several teachers at THE are co-ordinating efforts to gather items that the families will need when they arrive. When I have more specific information I will pass it along to any cavers that stay here and might have items to donate to their cause. I do think Gill is right though, if you are able to lend an able body that is part of a legitmate group that will have a huge impact at the sites of the devestation. Cammy Jones (faux caver but real caver's (Vico's) other half) -----Original Message----- From: Gill Ediger <gi...@worldnet.att.net> To: cave...@cavetex.net Sent: Thu, 01 Sep 2005 20:52:45 -0400 Subject: CaveTex: Volunteers
At 05:17 PM 9/1/2005, Gregg Geist wrote: >I've been wondering how to help. I've been victimized by hurricanes in South Texas on a couple of occasions. After one of um we had water up to my belly-button in the living room of our house which was 3 feet off the ground to begin with. There are a lot of normal life activities that get interrupted when there is no electricity, no city water, no phones, no gas, and no a whole lot of other things--except trash and garbage--wet trash and garbage. Hauling shit out and throwing it away--aside from a bit of heartbreak when a good bit of it is memorabilia--is the hardest physical part of the whole ordeal. There are 2 things that I think flood victims need from the outset and will appreciate the most. One is help with the toting. Good strong bodies to help haul ruined pianos, mattresses, refrigerators, freezers, and the like outa the house if not to the street (most appliances will not be appreciably damaged by water--their works are sealed, but the do need to be hauled out of the house to be out of the way and so they can dry out). Chests-of-drawers fall apart, furniture delaminates, books become soggy masses--and heavy. It's all gotta be carried to the street so the city (or contract haulers) can get it loaded a! nd hauled off. That is a lot of work, especially for the old and infirm who have nobody to help otherwise. Young, strong cavers make excellent shit movers. If you can find a way to be part of a group--like a bunch of Grotto members--and go there and be recognized as a responsible assemblage somebody will probably find somebody in need of getting their shit moved. The next useful activity would be feeding people. People with big caving trucks--weren't we just talking about that?--can get food from somewhere (buy it, get it from donated stashes at the Red Cross or local agencies, or wherever) and cruise the streets handing out fruit, peanut butter sandwiches, and jalapenos to all the people cleaning all that soggy shit outa their houses. Working hard in the southern sun, heat, and humidity under absolutely horrible conditions is not conducive to food preparation. Having someone show up on the street every few hours with rolling sustenance is a thing that will be appreciated be! yond belief. Again, though, you'll have to go to whoever has assumed the role of constituted authority and present your case and your credentials--and try to convince them to give you some simple-minded thing to do. They might have a few ideas of their own. And something to keep in mind is that groups have more credibility, offer a bit more accountability, and are more likely to be given some meaningful job right away. Cavers should not forget that they have some skills that mere mortals do not. You should mention--if you are interested in that sorta thing--that you have confined space qualifications and vertical/high-angle rope qualifications (and even the rope and equipment). --Ediger To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to mailto:majord...@cavetex.net with the following message--unsubscribe cavetex. For help and information go to www.cavetex.net. List administrator: mailto:jswh...@cavetex.net
