Dear Editor:

Many see the devastation of Hurricane Katrina as a disaster. It was a natural disaster that brought out the bad in a few people, but most importantly, it showcased the goodness that is there in most people's hearts. The people of Hoboken, NJ are examples of the kindness of the human spirit, the giving nature of a community and the hope that life will go on.

My kind friend, Nancy Bevilaqua, sent word to the community and to the Hoboken Family Alliance, that there were people in need at their darkest hour. Within days, packages began to arrive at my doorstep. Some boxes contained clean socks and t-shirts for rescue workers. Other boxes were full of baby items, ready to be delivered to a new mother in need. Boxes came with personal items. Boxes came with children's games. All of these boxes were postmarked with a Hoboken return address.

I work for a local fire department in south Louisiana. When my coworkers were called out for days at a time to rescue stranded victims, FEMA was not there yet with supplies, but Hoboken was. At the Baker Municipal Center, a Red Cross Shelter, only local volunteers were there the first few weeks and there were limited supplies for the hundreds of evacuees. I arrived with the boxes that were sent to me and handed them to an elderly gentleman who was a volunteer/evacuee. He took my hand each time I made a delivery and said to me," God bless you sweet lady." I replied to him that it was not me, but the people of Hoboken, NJ who were the blessing.

Thank you, Nancy. Thank you, Hoboken. Thank you for helping those who will never know who you are. Thank you for helping the people in my state who were in need. Thank you for your kindnesses, no matter how big or how small. You are what make this country so good and wholesome. You are what we call in the south "Good People." Thank you from the deepest part of my soul.

Shannon Hurst Lane

Zachary, LA