CNN iReport

Today was my second day of volunteering. I sandbagged for 3 1/2 hours, in an attempt to save a couple businesses, even a federal building. Along with a fellow family, we started off on the East side of town, by Mercy Hospital (Yes, the one that was completely evacuated). With a group of about ten other volunteers, we filled sandbags for about 30 minutes, before my friends dad, Jay, pulled around in his pick-up. He loaded it, and we were off. We started on a small alley, that was filling with water. A cute little church's congregation (I think, or the owners, or the preacher) were outside. We could see that the church had very little protection from the rising water. So we hopped of the truck and launched into action.

It is funny, there is still humor, people still laugh, that is what makes me happy. Jay pulled his truck onto the front lawn of the church, and the wheels sunk in about a foot before we realize it was sinking and drove out of it. We are laughed as we finished the job. We had to leave quickly though, for the post office was close to taking on water.

The pickup truck arrived at the Post Office, only about half filled with bags. We immediately started loading these yellow carts with bags, and pushing them to the loading dock in the back. The water was at least 3 feet deep, and about to come over where the trucks pull in, and into the mail room. The sandbagging went quickly due to the fact that all the mail men had come in to help. They were all really nice, and soon realize they had more sandbags then they could handle. When we went back to it later to pick up a friends stuff, they had made chairs out of them. I know some of you are thinking "What a waste" But trust me, there are plenty of sand bags to go around.

The Postal Inspection Service Officer was on the scene helping. And after we barricaded his office with sandbags, he kindly offered us a tour. We stepped inside his small office, it was AWESOME! He showed us all his gear, and gave us little pins. I never knew mail could be so exciting! But, moving on. We finished off the day by loading up the pickup, and heading to Wendy's. As Jay sped down the street with us in the back on top of a mound of sandbags eating burgers, we soon realized that Emergency Management didn't really have any specific needs at the moment. After an hour of driving around, looking for people who needed sandbags, we returned to the now hundred strong crowd of volunteers, and reluctantly returned the sandbags. I reached my house, and wrote after several hours of thinking, wrote this iReport.

I have a favor to ask my readers, if you know of any place where we can take sandbags, please comment and tell. Also, comment and rate!