Being the Change

Be the Change. Volunteer. If I am not the hands being the change down here, who will be? This is a question I've been running through my head all week. When I feel like I can't possibly lift another piece of sheetrock or pull out another nail I have to realize that I am one of many (but not enough) people down here trying to make things happen. The frusterating part for me is that there are so many able-bodied people who could be here doing the same thing but choose not to. There have been times when I wished I was on a beach in Florida or partying in Mexico but seeing house after house and neighborhood after neighborhood that are completely ruined or in need of immense amounts of work, I know that doing that would be selfish of me. Along with about 10 other Hamline students I am working with an amanzing and very hard-working organization called Hands On, New Orleans. The motto is "Be the Change. Volunteer." This really hits hard as to why I am here. Someone must be the change here because things cannot stay the way that they are right now. It's true there are many companies selling house gutting services but there are probably far more people who cant afford such services than can. That is why I am here. I am being the change New Orleans needs. I know in the grand scheme of things, I am barely putting a dent into the work that needs to be done, but I also know that New Orleans will eventually come back together and I will have been a part of that. I encourage anyone who reads this and can make it down here to gut houses for a few days, a week or longer to do whatever they can to do so. Pretty much New Orleans needs hands of the willing and able. Although my helping to gut 3 or 4 houses is so minimal, I know that I am indeed being the change instead of just talking about it and that makes me proud of myself and the rest of the relief workers. Be the Change. Volunteer.

~Brittany Dalzell