Susan Kessinger, DFPR, Springfield Office

Monday, September 19, 2005, Lake Charles , Louisiana

I was placed with a great group of people, Team B as we were known. We spent the first day at Lake Charles , Louisiana and the rest of the week at Slidell , where we made the best of every moment possible.

For example, approximately five of us volunteered our services with the Red Cross for an hour. A seven-year-old girl, Shonda, chose me to be her mentor. I asked her what she would like to do and she asked me to read her a book. Shonda walked over to a box of books and selected one. She said, “I want to see if you know how to read, so you go first, then I will read you a book.” I chuckled and told her she was a little whip and pretty smart for being seven. She said, with her hand on her hip, “That's right and I'm in second grade.” I read her the book and she told me I did fairly well, but now it was her turn. Shonda selected not one book but at least seven. My thought was we will be here all day. Needless to say, she read every single book without any mistakes. I was impressed and gave her a little hug.

She then told me she was getting hungry and could hardly wait for dinner. I asked her what was on the menu for that evening. She hesitated and said probably Mac and Cheese, adding, “That seems to be the only thing they know how to make.”

Then, all of a sudden she said she was craving Crawfish Pie and her Mom made the best in town. She proceeded to detail every ingredient that goes into the pie. I reluctantly told her that it sounded good, although I had never tried it. Shonda lowered her head and said, “When we find my Mom, I just know the first thing she will fix will be Crawfish Pie, because Mom knows how much I love it.” I almost lost it right then and there but kept my composure.

Shonda then told me she was at the shelter with her brother, cousins Aunt, Uncle and Dad. They just weren't sure if her Mom had made it to another shelter and they were waiting to hear. I told Shonda regardless where her Mom might be, it seemed to me she had Mom's recipe remembered, so someday she herself could make Crawfish Pie. She looked at me and said, “Well maybe mine will be better.” I was amazed--not just by Shonda but all the kids in the room--how their will for life went on with the hope and love they held in their hearts. The only thing it took was one hour of my time, the reading of a book, a listening ear and a great big hug that we both seemed to need.

At intervals, Red Cross volunteers would provide food and sleeping provisions. Specifically, a Red Cross van would pull up to the area and dispense hot meals to anyone in need, along with cots, blankets and pillows. Thank God for the Red Cross!

During the week I was a Team B member, everyone prayed, laughed, cried, hugged and, of course, snored together. I came home with a lot of new friendships that will continue to grow. I have to admit, I was one of the first in the group to emotionally break down and once it started we were like dominoes. The stories each client told would just tear your emotions and your heart apart. We were the ones reassuring these people to keep their faith that things would get better. Everyone was so appreciative and grateful for us being there to assist them with food stamps that many shook hands, but there were more hugs. I am very proud to say we Illinoisans were the first to arrive and provide assistance to these people and their gratitude showed.

It was an exhausting, fulfilling experience and one that I am glad I chose to take and will definitely never forget and, YES , I would do it again!

The web site I would like to share is http://likars.zftp.com/gonzales.htm