Arrived New Orleans late last night, got through the checkpoints, avoided the looters (just), and am now right in the middle of the warzone here in New Orleans. We were able to get six jestski's through and hope to be patrolling the south coastal part of the city picking up survivors off rooftops and delivering them to the coast guard by this afternoon. We are also delivering water and food. It is desperate here. Thank your lucky stars for the roof over your head tonight.
It's a big effort here on everyone's part. As usual, the US Navy is the best Relief Organization in the world, thanklessly, quietly working around the clock. Organized, solid, supporting everyone else, including us if we need it. A lot of surfer/firefighters here from all the West and East Coast fire and Rescue outfits. Since we are the only civilian group operating in here, and since our beat is the extreme coastal surfzones, they like our audacity and have adopted us somewhat.
Most cannot believe a bunch of surfers would care enough be here. We are proud to convince them otherwise. Hopefully, Surfzone Relief Operations will be ranging out to the isolated
surfing communities to the East later in the week. All depends on fuel for our ski's. If no fuel...maybe a helicopter or a fishing boat. We are working on it. We are bivouaced at the Stadium staging area under the stars with other SAR groups. We wake up before dawn, a quick power bar and then we all fan out.
Spirits high in the camps, spirits and behavior deplorable in the city. Anything you see on tv? It's much worse. Hard to believe this is America.
Again, thanks for your support, my allotted time on the internet has expired.
Onward,
Matt
If you feel like it, please use Our Non Profit Tax Free ID number: # 20-2597808. We sure could use the help.
If possible, please send Checks to:
Surfzone Relief Operations
PO Box 2701
Newport Beach, Ca. 92659
Or Direct bank transfer to:
Surfzone Relief Operations
Newport Beach Branch
3475 Via Lido
Newport Beach, Ca. 92663
Account#02021-40011
Routing#121000358
Thanks again,
Matt George
Executive Field Director
Surfzone Relief Operations
PO Box 2701
Newport Beach, Ca. 92659
surfzonerelief.org
sromatt@msn.com
949.548.6740
310-482-1974
