<p>I just spoke to my s. who spent 14 hrs at the shelter. First he was at the food bank, and was then sent to the George R. Brown Convention center. He has emailed me a number of pictures which I will try to figure out how to send a link to.
They are still expecting, and are quite well prepared for, busloads of people at the convention center. He said they are well stocked with food, clothing, toys, etc. They have set up "shopping areas" for people to pick up the free clothes, toiletries, toys, etc. The "food court" and playground areas for the kids are on the 3rd floor. They have set up a movie theater, laundry service and showers. They have also set up a health clinic and rolled in a "pharmacy on wheels". He unloaded cases or canned water from Oprah's organization, and bales of jeans (yes, bundled in bales). There are rows and rows of cots and air mattresses. they were short on pillows, but a truckload arrived. There were so many donations they had to close off a road just to handle the donations that were being unloaded. </p>
<p>He also helped set up the computers in the IT area for the on-site health department, but some of the equipment is arriving damaged, and they are working to get all the necessary parts or replacements.</p>
<p>There are heartwarming stories and sad stories. He was working as a greeter to process and orient families. He was helping a vietnamese family who were trying to locate their aunt and uncle, who are deaf. The were not able to locate them at the coluseum, and assume they are at the Astrodome. Unfortunately, the communications systems were not yet linked, so they could not access the database of people processed at the Astrodome. But, they are setting up computer startions and celllphone charger stations, and hopefully they will be able to improve their ability to locate poeple at other shelters.</p>
<p>As they were leaving at 2:30 last night, they caught a couple of local teens trying to steal donated clothes. Their mother was waiting in a car outside for the ill-gotten goods. They had slipped in as "volunteers" but had no ID when confronted. That is patheric-- both that these people would do such a thing, and that they are also in need and would even consider such a thing. </p>
<p>He came home for a few hours sleep and is going back later this afternoon. He said there is a huge police presence. All people are searched/patted down before entering-- No contraband, no cigarettes are allowed in. So far, except for the theft, things have been going well. The local private schools will be taking in some of the kids Wednesday. He hadn't heard of any schools being set up on site at his facility, but I'd heard this would be in place at the astrodome.</p>
<p>The pictures re incredible. I will work to get a link to them. And, I'll keep everyone posted.</p>