1/6/09 - Time to think seriously about New Orleans
Hello friends!
The generally recognized 'Holiday Season' is over, but for those of you enjoying holidays that fall
outside of that season, keep enjoying. (The Chinese New Year is January 26th. :)
However, whether your Lang Syne is auld or not, it's time to start thinking seriously about our trip
to New Orleans in March (15th - 21st).
We have 25 spots available, and half of those are filled. Depending on your perspective, this news
is viewed differently. Some of you might be saying "Oh nuts! Half the spots filled already, I'd better
sign up!" We at Gamers For Humanity, however, tend to say "Oh man...two and a half months to go and still
half the spots open!" That's the difference between organizers and volunteers, though :)
So if you haven't signed up yet, let me convince you that this is the trip for you.
1) It's affordable. Seriously, it is. If you're frugal, you can get by for the week on $300, $350.
Housing is $18/person/night, and we'll have a fridge and a kitchen, so food only needs to be as expensive as
what you can get at the grocery store. Not only will you be attending with gamers--who will be bringing
games to play--but there's also plenty of free or cheap things to do in New Orleans for entertainment.
2) We will use donations to help people afford the trip. Last year we had enough donations for every
volunteer to receive $50 towards their housing.
3) It's FUN. Not only your free time in New Orleans, but the WORK is fun. You don't need experience
in construction or physical labor, you won't be given jobs too big for you to handle, and you'll be working
alongside people just like you. And you'll be learning skills, too. Never put up drywall before? Painted?
Reinforced a deck? Used a saw? There'll be lots of opportunities for that sort of thing. And don't forget:
New Orleans is a great city, one of those places everyone should go before they die. Who knows...you might
even meet Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie, who now call New Orleans home. :)
4) It will HELP people. Over three years ago, an *entire city* sunk. Thousands of people were
stuck in the Superdome as the ceiling was falling down around them. People were forced to leave their
possessions and pets behind as they fled. People lost everything. Houses, heirlooms, cars, photographs,
and often loved ones. And it was the hardest on the lower classes. It was the hardest on the people who
were barely affording a house in the first place. These are the people who don't have the money to rebuild,
who don't have the means to buy a new place.
And although that was over *three years ago*, the problem is still very real right now. New Orleans is a
city, an entire city, still trying to get back on its feet. And YOU can help. Those of you in the Midwest
saw this summer what flooding can do--some of you experienced it first-hand. THAT is what we are going to
New Orleans to fix. That means...
5) You will feel good during and afterwards. You'll be able to see progress, right in front of you.
You'll be able to help put a person, with a face and a name, into their own house. You'll be able to help
someone get a wheelchair ramp that they need. You'll be able to clean up a public park so kids can play there
again. You will leave New Orleans knowing that you have made a difference.
We encourage you to consider coming with us. The more of you who come along, the more we can accomplish
while we're there. Go see our pictures from last year's trip, and get
more info about this year's trip. You can also email Tom at tom-at-gamersforhumanity.org.
If you've ever wondered how you can help, how you can make a difference in the world around you...this is a good
way to start.
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