HURRICANE KATRINA (Volume I, Issue 2)

Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in late August of this year.  Then as if to add insult to injury, Hurricane Rita barreled into the region barely a month later.  The effects have been felt nationwide, and sympathy has been expressed internationally.  Concern for those affected is reflected in the record-breaking donations being made to relief efforts by businesses and private citizens alike.  Volunteerism has increased at an unprecedented rate as well.  But more help - ongoing help - is needed.

Patrick Laughlin, one of the Louisiana-based Varsity Gold representatives has suffered losses and seen what others are going through.  "Some of my schools are underwater and will need to be rebuilt. Some of my coaches are unemployed."  Hurricane Katrina left literally thousands of teachers and coaches unemployed.  These people were not only Mr. Laughlin's clients, but his colleagues and friends as well.

Regardless of the professional losses and frustrations Laughlin is experiencing, he adds, "Overcoming my challenges has been easy compared to some. I did not lose my house or any loved ones."  Though he does mention that traffic in his home town of Baton Rouge is unbelievable, and his work requires a great deal of commuting.  Although it was New Orleans that was devastated by the hurricanes, Baton Rouge and its citizens appear to be taking on great challenges stemming from them as well.

According to a September 21st article in Business Week magazine online:

 "Baton Rouge became the largest city in Louisiana overnight when evacuees fleeing Hurricane Katrina ballooned the area's population from roughly 400,000 to 800,000, according to Walter Monsour, the city's chief administrative officer. Becoming a first-tier city in a single day with no urban planning and no upgrading of infrastructure has resulted in commune-style living, depleted grocery store shelves, and overburdened phone lines and traffic lanes."

Through this difficult time, Patrick has remained optimistic.  "The community and the country are doing the best they can. It is going to get better. We have faith."  He is facing his frustrations and the unknown with prayer and perseverance.

As we move into the holiday season, we need to remember the people of Louisiana, as well as Mississippi and Texas.  Remember people like Patrick Laughlin, who have stayed rooted to their home town and are part of the effort to rebuild local business.  And think of the thousands forced from their houses and livelihoods by this natural disaster who may be spending the holidays several states away from what they once called "home".

You can help by donating to one of the many reputable relief organizations, such as the Red Cross, or take a look in your local area.  Are there displaced evacuees in your city?  Is your city hosting stray and lost pets from the affected areas? Then there are bound to be local organizations helping them that will need volunteers, supplies and other donations on an ongoing basis.

One San Antonio, Texas-based charity - the Elf Louise Christmas Project - has been delivering Christmas gifts to children of underprivileged families since 1969.  This year, they expect an increase in applications for assistance due to the large number of displaced families from Louisiana that have been relocated to San Antonio.  You can visit the Elf Louise website and find out how to volunteer or donate toys to the project.

In Phoenix, the Arizona Humane Society is hosting a number of lost and abandoned animals from the hurricane-stricken areas of Louisiana.  This large undertaking has been named "Operation: Noah's Ark".  You can visit the Arizona Human Society website to learn more about volunteering, fostering or donating.

Finding an organization in your area that is sponsoring ongoing relief efforts for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita is just a mouse click away.  You can go to Google and type the search phrase "Katrina relief ________", and enter your state's name in the blank.  For example, "Katrina relief Michigan" brings up Michigan's Homeland Security page on how to help with hurricane Katrina relief.

The Varsity Gold home office would like to extend our best wishes to Patrick Laughlin and his family, and the families of all our representatives, coaches, students and teachers in the hurricane affected areas.  Our thoughts and our hearts are with them in this very difficult time.  The Varsity Gold home office also has plans underway to assist schools that were destroyed in that area.

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