Oregon will be receiving 1,000 Katrina evacuees.
Volunteers worked through the night setting up cots at the former Washington-Monroe High School, and coordinating with Portland Public Schools and other agencies to deliver needed services to the evacuees when they arrive.
Here are the most poignant paragraphs of the story:
It's important to keep the well-being of the evacuees as the paramount focus, Miller said. Uprooting to come across the country, possibly to a state they've never visited, will be an emotional and physical challenge.
"A week ago, they were in their homes," she said. "It's hard to sleep knowing what these people are going through."
A week ago they were in their homes. Now, after going through hell and very, very high water, they are headed to a place thousands of miles away from home, with a very different climate, topography and culture. (Although I must say, it's a wonderful place on all three scores. And they'll be received by Pacific Northwesterners, a group I've found to include some of the kindest people in the world.)
Make a donation to the Red Cross Oregon Trail Chapter here. Donate to the American Red Cross here. (And please remember -- all American Red Cross disaster assistance is free to the people who receive it.)
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