The Hurricanes and Odessa

As another storm slams the Gulf Coast, I am reminded again of our shared duties to one another. Odessa has taken in scores of refugees. The Red Cross has set up an emergency shelter in UTPB's gym and both FEMA officials and an onslaught of various police have descended on campus to deal with busloads of people coming in. We have had several fundraisers, most of them, in true Texas fashion, revolving around food. (Buy burritoes to support the victims of Katrina! Eat spaghetti for the victims of Rita!) Rita has hit land and it is impossible to tell what its outcome will be, though the eye appears to have missed Houston and New Orleans. The frightening thing is that there is lots of huricane season yet to come. UTPB, Odessa, and like communities will probably have to pitch in for some time yet to come.