You know that old story about the kid who tries to save all the starfish who washed up on the beach? The naysayer says you can never make a difference to all of them but the kid says, as he tosses one in the water- I made a difference to that one.
This is day two of being stuck in a FEMA application center. We have a table nearby and if we are lucky we get to offer cleaning supplies and pamphlets. But day 14 after hurricane irene and most people are back to work on a tuesday. We might see 2 people every hour.
I was feeling a little bored and annoyed that they are wasting able bodies in this fashion. Theres so much need all around me and we seem to be barely skimming the surface waiting for people to come to us.
But i just talked with a 70 year old man who began crying when I asked him to tell me about the damage. And the next woman was robbed by the people who came to clean out her damaged house. There still isnt much I can do but listen, look at pictures and offer suggestions of who to call for supplies other than those we hand them on their way out. The emotion is running really high in this room. Im not really sure i made a difference to anyone yet, but im trying.
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