I'm starting to think the real story here will be what it takes to get started!

Let me explain. No, that would take to long, let me summarize.

On the 6th of September I started fundraising, after 2 or 3 days of wondering if this was something I could do. I mean, how much would it cost to drive down to New Orleans, and was it even a good idea? Would I even be allowed to drive to where the survivors are being housed, and would they talk to me? Guess we'll find out soon enough!

So, on the 6th I put up a single page on my website, http://www.ncwvideo.com/survivors_stories/ , and then emailed the link to a few mail lists, and went to bed. By the next morning, I had my first donation of $20. I was on my way!

Ok, I know $20 isn't going to get me far, but I at least knew it could work, the page worked, PayPal worked, and at least one person saw what I was trying to do, and believed it was worth at least $20!

So, what exactly am I trying to do? There is a longer explaination on the website above, but briefly, I'll be driving down to the area of New Orleans, and talking to as many survivors as possible. I'll be going to the evacuation centers, the stadiums, as well as some of the cities they have been transported to, and simply ask people to talk to me, tell me their story. Beyond that, I don't have a lot of specific plans, yet. The scope of this project is so big, its hard to imagine. Makes me feel very small and insignificant, and yet, at the same time, very excited!

Once I have the story, then what? I'll be editing the interviews, and make a video documentary, with the purpose of selling it to a network, plus local showings, maybe getting someone like Red Cross to help with distributions, with proceeds from the sales and showings going back to the survivors, to help with the recovery efforts. Again, its pretty early for specifics, but there will be plenty of time for details later. Now there is a story to get!

And, some specific obstacles. Its about 2500 miles or so, from where I'm starting, in Wenatchee, WA (a couple hours from Seattle) to New Orleans. Now, I know there are not many people in New Orleans at the moment, so I may not even go there, at least right away. So, I'll probably go toward Texas first, then jump from place to place after that. I want the story to be about a lot of different people, but at the same time I'd like to go back and check on some families as I go, to see how they're doing, if things are improving, and so on.

I'll be adding to this as I get ready, and then try to post as often as I can from on the road.

Stay Tooned!

Carlin