ACEE members work at the food bank.
September 2005
2005–06 ACEE Members Respond to Katrina Disaster
ACEE members were assigned to sorting and packaging bottled water, canned foods, diapers and other non-perishable goods. Their spirit of giving and their boundless energy were both clearly visible that day. "We could never have accomplished this much in one day without the help of ACEE", said Celia Silverberg, Director of Volunteer Services for the Capital Area Food Bank. Through the hard work of ACEE and other volunteers, they were able to sort over four tractor trailers full of supplies and prepare them for shipping that very evening to local shelters and to Houston and Louisiana. ACEE members were hot and tired, but ended the day feeling good that they had been able to contribute in a concrete way to help meet the immediate needs of evacuees.
Austin is currently home to over 5000 Katrina evacuees, and one of the biggest needs has been to support families and children during this traumatic experience. Several ACEE members have joined with a local educational non-profit, Theatre Action Project, to help provide children's activities at the Convention Center where many families are still housed. Members have volunteered for evening and weekend shifts to play games and do structured activities with children of all ages.
We salute the efforts of all AmeriCorps members and community volunteers, locally and across the country, who are responding to this disaster.