Just thought I'd share with you all ...

[Jessica]

I'm from Preston County & as you know, hundreds of Katrina survivors are sheltered there at Camp Dawson, the National Guard base. I am eager to help, but unfortunately I now live a few hours away. I plan on taking some time off from work soon to stay with my family & volunteer.

My Mom, though, has already begun volunteering - and I just wanted to share a touching statement she heard from one of the evacuees, an older man. He said, "I came from hell and when I got to West Virginia, I felt like I went to Heaven."

I'm proud that our state is living up to its reputation as "Almost Heaven" for people who suffered for far too long in New Orleans. West Virginians are givers ... Mom said she saw a lady waiting in the donation line with two bags from Dollar General. Mom said the lady looked as if she could use donations herself, but there she was ... giving what she could.

This is what West Virginia is all about. And I'm proud to call it home.

[madmom]

1. Thanks for the share...

this buckeye is proud to live next door to people of real country pride.

[Genki]

2. Hillbilly Proud

Dollar Stores Rock.

[Staph]

3. Proud to be a West Virginian

And you should be proud of your mom, too. Folks like her and the lady at Dollar General are the reason I stay here in the hills. There's more money to be earned in the flatlands and big cities, but there's no place and no people like the ones here at home.

[Genki]

4. ????

Did I hear this correctly? At the MU football game this past weekend they set out to collect money for the Katrina victims and were expecting around $30,000 but got $520,000 instead???

[Lasher]

5. Wow, you're right!

Here's an article about it. That's about $17 for every person who attended the game!

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050911/NEWS01/509110321/1001/NEWS

[Genki]

6. ~Beautiful~