When we got within a couple miles to the beach, there was nothing resembling a house; there was only rubble. To see the scale of devastation in person was just unbelievable.

But, once there, we helped wherever we were needed.

She was one resident, among many, that was told by their insurance company that she didn't need flood insurance since she lived a certain distance from the coast. But, everything in her house was ruined - every piece of clothes, every appliance.

All the students were brought into the cafeteria, and we handed our check to the principal. The whole school erupted in applause. Some of the teachers cried. We were just so happy that we could give it to them.

I know that many people, like us, watching the news coverage of the hurricane felt helpless. The Gulf Coast needs help more than ever. We are trying to get these people who have wanted to volunteer but didn't know whom to call.

I was wild and tame and pulled into shreds and crushed into being all at once.