Katrina Survivors...

After Hurricane Katrina struck You Are Never Alone Foundation offered individuals the opportunity to sponsor a Caring Coin for the survivors. People were pleased to have a simple, personal and tangible way to let the survivors know they cared. Many individuals, churches, businesses and organizations participated. 1500 Caring Coins went to New Orleans with a resident from New Orleans who had been staying in our area. On October 6, 2005, we brought 2300 coins to Houston and placed the Caring Coins with the personalized Me to You cards around the necks of the survivors in churches, recreation centers, and the Salvation Army Distribution Center. Each coin was accompanied with a hug. The response was amazing. Each hug was returned.

"It is difficult to put into words the impact of seeing so many people of all ages, of different races, religions, and economic backgrounds with plastic bags containing all their earthly possessions. There were rows upon rows of cots, in large recreation areas and halls. All had stories of destroyed homes, lost family members and friends, no place to go, and no jobs. You could see it in their eyes. But although they had lost so much, they could still smile through such adversity. They were so grateful that someone cared about them. Their gratitude touched each of us".
_{a volunteer}

"Someone cares about me, I must matter."
_{a survivor after receiving a coin}

"As we were leaving the Salvation Army Distribution Center, we looked around and there were hundreds of people there, survivors, volunteers and National Guard, all with their Caring Coins and Me to You Cards around their necks. It was amazing!"
_{a volunteer}

"We have been through so much and lost everything: the mere fact that someone care means more than you'll ever know..."
_{a survivor}

"It was amazing to see all of these people who had lost almost everything. They had plastic bags with their earthly possessions. There were all kinds of people of all ages from very young to very old. Each one was so grateful to receive the Caring Coin and the message of caring. It seemed to give them hope knowing someone cared about them."
_{a volunteer}