Dr. Editor,
What happened to Hoosier hospitality? What happened to Carmel hospitality? I feel ashamed as a native Hoosier at how we have treated a relocated family to the Carmel area.
I recently meet a family that relocated from Long Island New York. This is a family of six that lost everything in Hurricane Sandy. They got out by the skin of their teeth. They just haven’t lost material possessions, but all of their memories. No pictures, birth certificates, marriage licenses or any documents.
They made the move to Indiana to start fresh. They have had many tragedies in their life leading up to Sandy. They arrived and called the Red Cross of Indiana for help. The Red Cross explained they could only support them emotionally. They had no monetary donation to give them. They have been sleeping on air mattresses and have no other furniture. They left with the clothes on their back. They are very proud New Yorkers and feel asking for help is not the New Yorker way.
The only bright point was the Carmel Schools. They welcomed them with open arms and have gone out of their way to help the children transition into a new school. Thank you to Prairie Trace Elementry, Clay Middle School, and Carmel High School.
My sister and I have been begging people to help this family out. When I say they have nothing I mean they have not even a spatula, towels, pans, nothing. I have had little to no response to my plea. Whatever happened to Hoosiers coming together and helping a fellow neighbor, a fellow American? I can’t believe my fellow Carmel resident doesn’t have an extra blanket, an extra pan, anything!
What happened to our Hoosier Spirit? (To help this family, please email [email protected].)
Sincerely,
Nancy Benjamin
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