October 17th

I woke up very early to the deafening sound of lighting, thunder and pounding rain. The lightening was right over us for a while and it was both frightening and thrilling. Yesterday morning was the same. I don't know when I last saw rain coming down that hard. It's so warm outside too.
Yesterday most of the jobs were rained out so I started to take it easy when I was asked if I wanted to go to a warehouse to clean up appliances. We cleaned out many many refrigerators, stoves, ovens, microwaves and dishwashers. They were all donated and are given away to the many residents who need them. It was so muggy in that warehouse that we all sweated buckets. My hair was soaking wet all day. I sort of enjoyed cleaning out the ovens. It was challenging as we only had papertowels and soap scum cleaner.
Later a crew of 6 more joined us and we had it done by 2pm. Then we worked in a tent sorting donated clothes. We were stopped when a lady and her son came to get clothes so that they would have some respectful privacy. This warehouse does 400 transactions a week with local residents. They mainly collect building materials but also furniture, mattresses and books. Any resident can come by and get what they need, no questions asked.
The man who runs it 7 days a week is a minister. About 50 churches support it and donations come from all over the country. He wanted to move as much out-the 200 appliances to make room for the 150 couches arriving tomorrow. In the break room he told me that 100,000 residents lost their homes and only a small percentage of people have them back. Some get vouchers for new appliances but again, not everyone. One day he put 50 front doors out on the street and they were gone within hours.
Later we move and sorted lumber and moldings into the warehouse.
Back at camp I gladly waited in line for 30 minutes to take a shower. Bliss!
A great dinner of pasta with hot sausage and chicken and a wonderful salad with walnuts and cranberries. I ate so fast that my stomach hurt.
Most of the volunteers went to see a musical "Rent" put on by volunteers at a local theater. It was terrible, unbelievably terrible. (smile) I'm pretty generous when it comes to people singing off key...But the entire cast was tone deaf. But they were having a great time and the audience was very supportive. I found my body tensing as I was trying to "help" them mentally.
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