Reservations Confirmed

I just got a reply from Diana at ACORN confirming our reservations for March 4-10. We'll have six cars and 24 people, assuming all show up. I'm now past the worry stage and into the fun planning stage. New Orleans is still a great city post- Mardi Gras and even post-Katrina. Here's Dianna's email responing to some quetions I had. I thought our video person Melissa might want to interview Wade Radke, the founder of ACORN.

• Thank you for the finalized list of names!  I have submitted it to FEMA and this is a confirmation.  We are so excited to have your group join us on March 4.
  
• We encourage the home owners to be at the home while we are gutting it.  However, it is often the case that the owners are still living in the cities where they evacuated to or it is emotionally difficult for them to witness the contents of their homes being put in a pile on the street.  I would say that the owners are at about 1/2 of the homes we work on.
  
• We encourage the volunteers to enjoy themselves in New Orleans.  After 3:00 you are free to do whatever you please.  There is no curfew at FEMA however they do not allow alcohol on the premises.  
  
• 3:00 would be a good time each day for your group to explore different parts of the town.  Have you all lined up transportation for your group yet?  
  
• Most people do sleep with their bags under their beds.  Many leave there bags there during the day and only lock in the car their valuables.  It is up to you.  I think you will find tent city to be secure and safe.
  
• The ACORN van will be used for the people that come individually and not with a group.  I doubt that we will have room.  
  
• We are working on creating a message board on our website where future and past volunteers and share their stories.
  
• I am sure you will be able to have a moment to interview Wade while you are here.  I will shoot an email to him letting him know your interest and dates.

You can check in to FEMA 24 hours a day.  They will have a list with everyone's names and they will check ID’s.  The next morning your group can drive to our office where we meet at 8:00 each morning.  The address is 1016 Elysian Fields Ave.  Thanks, Diana