GROUP effort

So, I keep getting this silly thought that I have nothing else to write about. But I took some time today to consider some new posts, and 3 came to mind immediately, so here is one of them.

It was just over 3 years ago when Hurricane Katrina hit. I was working at Jason's Deli at the time. I received a phone call from a regular customer of ours, and she spoke with me about how WE, as a company, needed to do something. She was moved to go down to Reunion Arena where many buses were dropping folks off. She phoned me again and asked if we could donate some box lunches to an extended family of 12 that had all made it here was living with some family members in Dallas in a 2 bedroom apartment. I checked with my General Manager (At the time I was Catering Manager) and he said if I could budget it in my Marketing plan it was fine. So we sent her with about a dozen box lunches. The next day she phoned again, it seemed she had this deep dedication to helping these people who were in such need. This time, she had picked up a young lady about 20 years old, who had made it to Dallas with her young child. Cherri explained how she was taking this young lady back to her apartment for her to shower and relax a little. The problem was the young lady (Crystal) was much smaller than her so none of her clothes would fit her. So she asked me to try and get some clothes for her. I went to a consignment shop and felt very out of place, cause it was all women's clothing! I explained the story to the clerk, and how I didn't have a huge budget. She just started grabbing clothes and going. I kept thinking that I would not be able to afford all of this. When we got the register, she separated the clothes into 2 piles and explained how she would pay for half. Amazing that a stranger would step in and add to this little gift I had hoped to provide.

I took the clothes to Cherri and told her she should bring Crystal up to Jason's Deli, because I had asked some of the moms up at Jason's Deli to bring baby clothes that they may be able to donate. I was astonished to see 2 full paper bags of clothes. The moms who worked at Jason's Deli lived a very modest lifestyle, but they were inspired to collect from any and all family and friends to help Crystal and her young child.

It was really cool when they came in to Jason's Deli. We gave them the baby clothes, and visited. It was so tough, because Crystal still seemed very shocked, almost in a daze. I can't imagine what she experienced and had to go through, all the while caring for her baby. She spoke very little, and when she did she had our full attention. What can one say to somebody who lived through that? Normally I am a guy who can pretty much talk to anyone, but in this case, my silence was the best I had to offer. Throughout their meal at Jason's Deli other customers realized her situation and would leave Jason's Deli and return with various items a mother and child would need. A car seat was bought, and play pen, more baby clothes, all of this from complete strangers that overheard and wanted to help. I remember feeling so good about people when this happen. A couple who was just about the age of Crystal's parents came over and started to visit with her. By the end of the night, they had offered frequent flyer miles to Crystal to fly to Alabama where she had some extended family. All of this happen in the matter of hours, it was amazing! And the greatest part was, it really was a group effort. No one person really did that much, but when it all added up, a mother and her young child were provided for, and cared for!!

Cherri told me how she picked Crystal out. She was sitting alone on the curb, baby in hand. They visited and it took Cherri multiple tries to get her to leave with her. Scared, alone, in shock, it was tough for Crystal to trust anyone, but Cherri pleaded with her again and again. When we are doing something right and good for people, we have to stick to it. Cherri was a great example of that. I hope and pray Crystal and her young child are ok. I know that it really wasn't just the people who did all of this, it seems bigger than just us. For me, it was getting out of the way, and setting down my agenda, and allowing God to work through me. It was easy to watch all of the footage about Hurricane Katrina and become outraged at some of the radical things some people were doing. But for me, I wanted to help, even if it was just one person.