Searching for Santa’s Helpers
Published 10:37 pm Saturday, December 17, 2005
Thirteen-year-old Natalie Ramirez isn’t worried about what color iPod is still left in stores, nor is she worried about who the next American Idol will be.
She is worried about where she will be living in a few weeks time, and what the holiday season will bring for her family and friends.
That’s because Natalie is a displaced Hurricane Rita evacuee. Since mid-September she and about 40 other evacuees have been living at the American Hospitality Inn off the Good Hope exit in Cullman.
They were forced to leave their homes in Cameron, La., fleeing the wrath of a category-five hurricane, which ravaged their town with 175 mph winds.
As guests of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, their situation has gone from bad to worse. According to Ramirez, they’ve recently been informed that they have until Jan. 7 to find someplace else to live. If they can’t, they will be out on the street.
“I’m very worried,” said Natalie. “We’ve been down once already to try to find a FEMA trailer, but there’s not much left.”
According to hotel employee Jessie Butler, the evacuees came with just two sets of clothing, thinking they would return to their homes in just a few days. As mostly Spanish-speaking immigrants, they arrived at the hotel, which was already crowded with Hurricane Katrina evacuees. They had little food and even less money.
“We went back and the only building in our whole town that was left standing was the courthouse,” said 11-year-old Dina Mendez. “Only three houses in the whole town are even livable.”
According to Butler, the evacuees already missed Thanksgiving. If something isn’t done soon, he said they will miss Christmas, too.
“I put some presents under the tree here for my family, and one of the girls asked me when they would get to open the presents from Santa,” he said. “I had to tell her they weren’t for her, and it was just awful.”
At the hotel, the evacuees share just 12 rooms, some sleeping on the floor. For food preparation, they use a makeshift table setup on the sidewalk.
The children, including a 3-year-old toddler, play with a worn soccer ball in the parking lot.
“It’s really dehumanizing what they’ve been through,” said Butler. “When they first got here, they were camping in a lady’s backyard, but the storm got too bad for them, so they ended up here.”
Other employees at the hotel expressed concern and appreciation for the evacuees that have become like family to some of them.
“Probably one of the big things is that these people are not looking for a handout,” said David Mosley, the front desk clerk. “A lot of them have already found jobs and left, but for the rest, there’s just nothing for them.”
“I just feel so bad for the older kids,” said Candice Kinser, head house keeper. “They know they’ve lost everything, and they see their mothers crying all the time and that can’t be good for them.”
“Two of the girls don’t even have coats,” said Butler. “They missed Thanksgiving, and I’d really like to give them a good Christmas.”
According to Natalie, who served as translator for the interview, the children range in age from 1 to 13.
Those that are old enough attend public school in Good Hope.
“We like it here, but we are not used to it,” she said. “If I could have anything for Christmas, it would be that the hurricane never happened.”
“I remember what it was like when I was in school,” said Butler. “If I didn’t have money for something, I was really embarrassed. But if I had it to give to them, I would.”
In response, Butler made a call for Christmas donations for the evacuees, asking mainly for children and adult sized clothes.
“They need toys, too,” he said. “Other than presents, the main thing is food. They fix what they can, but I don’t think it’s enough.”
Natalie said they still plan to return to Cameron as soon as more FEMA trailer parks open, which she thought would be in May.
Between then and the January deadline, she said they don’t know where they will go.
Mosley said he worked some in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina hit. He described the chaotic scene at the FEMA parks.
“Everything is down there,” he said. “There’s trailers and trailers with no water or electric to hook up to, so people can’t move into them. Since everything is contract work, it’s all just sitting there.”
Natalie said there were seven girls and four boys staying at the hotel. The girl’s ages are 2, 3, 5, 8, 11 and 13; and the boy’s ages are 1, 2, 7, and 10.
Butler said people wishing to make donations can call 734-9999 for more information or bring donations directly to the hotel lobby at 1600 County Road 437 in Cullman.
• Editors note: Upon hearing of the children’s situation, a few of Santa’s helpers donated winter coats to the displaced children. They still need plenty of other clothes and toys. There are also a number of adults in need of coats, warm clothes and food.