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Finding hope in the aftermath of tragedy
Nise's Notes
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
September 14, 2005
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there has been a call sent out to all Americans to help those affected by the storm. Texas has taken on a majority of those rescued from New Orleans. Government agencies and the military have come in to control the rising anger and fear of those still in the damaged areas, and also to bring them food and aid.
It is through the donations that much of the work has been accomplished. The Red Cross, the Salvation Army, past presidents, and other agencies have been collecting money and supplies from those willing to give.
Hundreds and thousands have given their time and opened up their homes and businesses to those left with nothing. Other countries have come to our aid, offering money, food and oil/gasoline.
It is in a time of need that humanity shines the brightest. It is amazing to see people who would normally be "enemies" come together to help each other.
It is inspiring to see someone with "nothing" give what little they have to help someone even worse off than they are.
I firmly believe in the idea that you get back what you give. However, I also know that sometimes giving can be a tall order.
Last Wednesday, I made the trek to San Antonio for the day to attend the "For the Love of Kids and Harleys" annual charity auction. It was with an almost eerie feeling that I rode South on I-35 and saw the signs warning to not take I-10 to Louisiana... once you got to New Orleans, that piece of highway doesn't exist anymore.
San Antonio took in thousands of people from New Orleans, brought in on buses to Kelly USA and other shelters around the city. Whether or not the fundraiser scheduled to be held in the SBC Center had been questionable in the days leading up to the event.
However, just as planned, the concerts and auction were held. Now in its 11th year, the event raises funds for children's charities through the auctioning off of a Harley Davidson. This year, some of the proceeds were earmarked for Hurricane Katrina relief.
In a city that had already taken on people evacuated from the storm damaged Louisiana, my hopes for the charity auction bringing in a lot of money was admittedly somewhat low.
This year's event featured country acts Trick Pony ("Pour Me," "It's a Heartache") and Clint Black ("Killin' Time," "Nothin'' but the Tailights") in concert.
However, the biggest draw was George Strait helping to auction off this year's items: Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 truck, a fly-and-ride Harley-Davidson vacation package to San Jose, Calif., and a custom 2006 Cowboy Edition of a Softail Deluxe model Harley autographed by Strait.
To my amazement, the auction alone raised $131,000. That doesn't count the money raised from private donations and ticket sales.
When asked to give anything — money, goods, etc. - people can so easily say, "No." I don't think anyone would have blamed the people of San Antonio for declining this year to give at this charity auction. They'd already given much in the previous week to hurricane victims. Nonetheless, when a group came asking for funds to help these children's charities and organizations, people once again opened up their hearts and their pocketbooks to help.
Just when we begin to think there is no good left in the world, the world comes to show us we're wrong. People give money until it hurts. They give of their time, even if it is just to let someone cry on their shoulder. They give clothing, food, shelter, a helping hand. There is good in this world, and sometimes it takes a tragedy to see it.
Four years ago on 9/11, we watched the scenes in New York as terrorists struck our country. We all banded together and helped those affected by the events of that morning.
Once again, we are called upon to help our neighbors. Once again, we do so without hesitation. There's inspiration in that; there's inspiration in the resiliency of man. There is inspiration in our unending ability to love and care in a world so torn and filled with distrust and hate.
Some days I just want to give up. There seems to be this need within people to see only the bad and the negative. However, it never fails that I run into someone or something that reminds me there is good in this world.
The despair and helplessness I felt in the wake of Katrina has been replaced with awe and pride in humanity. And maybe — to those looking for a reason why things happen — maybe that's why bad things do happen. To help us remember and see the good that comes in the wake of it.
I've watched this outpouring of help; I watched the continued outpouring of help for other things besides Katrina victims. I now feel a lot of hope for this world; thanks to everyone who has given and who continues to give.
Thank you for making this world a better place — one minute, one project, one dollar at a time.
Nise's Notes
By Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
September 14, 2005
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there has been a call sent out to all Americans to help those affected by the storm. Texas has taken on a majority of those rescued from New Orleans. Government agencies and the military have come in to control the rising anger and fear of those still in the damaged areas, and also to bring them food and aid.
It is through the donations that much of the work has been accomplished. The Red Cross, the Salvation Army, past presidents, and other agencies have been collecting money and supplies from those willing to give.
Hundreds and thousands have given their time and opened up their homes and businesses to those left with nothing. Other countries have come to our aid, offering money, food and oil/gasoline.
It is in a time of need that humanity shines the brightest. It is amazing to see people who would normally be "enemies" come together to help each other.
It is inspiring to see someone with "nothing" give what little they have to help someone even worse off than they are.
I firmly believe in the idea that you get back what you give. However, I also know that sometimes giving can be a tall order.
Last Wednesday, I made the trek to San Antonio for the day to attend the "For the Love of Kids and Harleys" annual charity auction. It was with an almost eerie feeling that I rode South on I-35 and saw the signs warning to not take I-10 to Louisiana... once you got to New Orleans, that piece of highway doesn't exist anymore.
San Antonio took in thousands of people from New Orleans, brought in on buses to Kelly USA and other shelters around the city. Whether or not the fundraiser scheduled to be held in the SBC Center had been questionable in the days leading up to the event.
However, just as planned, the concerts and auction were held. Now in its 11th year, the event raises funds for children's charities through the auctioning off of a Harley Davidson. This year, some of the proceeds were earmarked for Hurricane Katrina relief.
In a city that had already taken on people evacuated from the storm damaged Louisiana, my hopes for the charity auction bringing in a lot of money was admittedly somewhat low.
This year's event featured country acts Trick Pony ("Pour Me," "It's a Heartache") and Clint Black ("Killin' Time," "Nothin'' but the Tailights") in concert.
However, the biggest draw was George Strait helping to auction off this year's items: Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 truck, a fly-and-ride Harley-Davidson vacation package to San Jose, Calif., and a custom 2006 Cowboy Edition of a Softail Deluxe model Harley autographed by Strait.
To my amazement, the auction alone raised $131,000. That doesn't count the money raised from private donations and ticket sales.
When asked to give anything — money, goods, etc. - people can so easily say, "No." I don't think anyone would have blamed the people of San Antonio for declining this year to give at this charity auction. They'd already given much in the previous week to hurricane victims. Nonetheless, when a group came asking for funds to help these children's charities and organizations, people once again opened up their hearts and their pocketbooks to help.
Just when we begin to think there is no good left in the world, the world comes to show us we're wrong. People give money until it hurts. They give of their time, even if it is just to let someone cry on their shoulder. They give clothing, food, shelter, a helping hand. There is good in this world, and sometimes it takes a tragedy to see it.
Four years ago on 9/11, we watched the scenes in New York as terrorists struck our country. We all banded together and helped those affected by the events of that morning.
Once again, we are called upon to help our neighbors. Once again, we do so without hesitation. There's inspiration in that; there's inspiration in the resiliency of man. There is inspiration in our unending ability to love and care in a world so torn and filled with distrust and hate.
Some days I just want to give up. There seems to be this need within people to see only the bad and the negative. However, it never fails that I run into someone or something that reminds me there is good in this world.
The despair and helplessness I felt in the wake of Katrina has been replaced with awe and pride in humanity. And maybe — to those looking for a reason why things happen — maybe that's why bad things do happen. To help us remember and see the good that comes in the wake of it.
I've watched this outpouring of help; I watched the continued outpouring of help for other things besides Katrina victims. I now feel a lot of hope for this world; thanks to everyone who has given and who continues to give.
Thank you for making this world a better place — one minute, one project, one dollar at a time.
