A Special Trip into the Hurricane Wilma Zone
By Mary Griffith
Volunteer Florida Communications Coordinator
 My trip to the Hurricane Wilma zone started on Wednesday with a phone call at 5 p.m. I was to be on a plane at 8:32 p.m. to West Palm Beach (The Miami airport was closed). I was so thankful that my mother-in-law and husband could step in to take care of my 7-month-old son. My party, which included Volunteer Florida CEO Wendy Spencer and Volunteer Florida Director of Emergency Management Alex Amparo, landed at 9:30 and drove to our hotel in darkness — no power anywhere, including at the hotel. Curfew was in effect, but we had our State Emergency Response Team (SERT) gear and our SERT badges, which enabled us to travel freely. We finally checked into a hotel at 1 a.m. Yes, it took us that long to find a room!
The next day we drove to Pompano Beach. The gas lines were extremely long; people were understandably frustrated, but dealing with it well. We bought a Coke and a candy bar (breakfast) from the only open store, which still had no power, through their walk up window.
We went to the Southern Baptist Kitchen at the First Baptist Church in Pompano. We spent a lot of time talking to the volunteers and helping to hand out water. The next thing you know, three marine  helicopters were overhead. Secret Service agents were all around. We were wanded and patted down while handing out water to the people in line. The President and the Governor were on their way!! I have two cameras — a professional video camera and a "spy" camera. Press had to stay back, but I had full access.
It was the experience of a lifetime to meet the President of the United States. He was very caring, thankful to all of the volunteers, and spent quality time with everyone there.
I guess the biggest things happened the next day — passing out ice and food at a POD (point of distribution) at the Orange Bowl and helping a mother choose baby formula at a small relief center in La Belle in Hendry County. The people are just so appreciative of everything, which helped me to gain perspective on the important things in life. Some of these people had lost all their personal belongings, and I complain if I can't have my wireless Internet access. You realize how little those luxuries matter. When you see a little boy, not much older than my son, trying to carry his share of ice, it just breaks your heart.
As I reflect on my trip to South Florida post Hurricane Wilma, I realize what an incredible experience I had. From meeting the President to working at a POD to seeing, firsthand, Floridians at their best — helping their neighbors.
Note: Mary Griffith is Volunteer Florida's Communications Coordinator. She is a film/video producer, graphic designer and writer.
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