Katrina-Clowns can do People things too!

After talking to a number of my local clown friends last night I decided to drive down to the Salvation Army Center today to see what I could do. My goal was to get on a list to clown when the time was right.

There are about 500 families from New Oleans in Phoenix currently being housed in the Phoenix Coliseum. More are anticipated. Actually, some of them have already been moved to private homes and apartments.

I was not prepared for what I found at the center. I knew there would be activity and I knew they would be busy, but I never believed the outpouring would be to the extent displayed at the Center.

As we approached the Center after parking, we encountered two women. They told us that help was needed and they were exhausted and asked would we consider relieving them.

So we went inside and were directed to a table of people who were taking information from prospective volunteers. There were about 12 people working the table. We listed our skills and interest areas and when we could be available. Of course I could clown when they felt it was appropriate.

We explained what we encountered in the parking lot and they told us to go outside in back.

Walking out the door into the back lot we found two long lines of cars and SUVs stretching into the street. There were crews unloading boxes and bags from the vehicles and making a quick sort into clothing, food, and living accessories. They told us that there was help needed in the latter area.

There were cartons and bags strewn across the concrete in vague stacks and piles. Many people were milling around wearing bright red aprons and moving about in determined but chaotic ways. “Who was in charge?” we asked. “No one. Just grab a bag or a box and start throwing items together into cartons with like items.” So we did.

There were teens and twenty somethings. Men and women, boys and girls, black, white, brown, yellow, and red. There were middle and senior aged, all busying themselves with a task. It was a purposeful group. I saw no slackers. And the pace was inspiring. Somehow, everyone gravitated to a specialty. There were sorters, packers, tapers, content organizers, pallet loaders, pallet wrappers, trash handlers and labelers. I quickly became identified as the “Box Man”. That handle precipitated from my building boxes which had to be unfolded, assembled, and then taped. I also sealed the cartons and moved them into position for the pallet loaders.

At the end of the procession people were loading pallets into Salvation Army trucks being prepared to haul the goods to staging areas were the people were waiting for distribution.

I had difficulty accepting what my senses were telling me about what was transpiring around me. No one knew names or status. No one cared that their burden might be greater than the person next to them. No one complained that it was over one hundred degrees. All were there for the same reason.

“Awesome” I said out loud several times. “Awesome”. Let the politicians do the complaining, the bickering. The people were out in droves, wanting to help their brothers and sisters who needed help desperately. They didn’t have to meet them, just serve them.

At one point shortly after I arrived, I picked up a carton and saw the words “Salvation Army” scrawled on the top with a magic marker. It went on to say “God Bless This Nation.” I don’t mind admitting that I choked…almost had to leave the group as tears filled my eyes. Our enemies, including Katrina, can punch hard. They can knock us down. But they can’t keep us down.

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You are AWESOME, Arne! Such an inspiration to us all! I have seen people giving of their time, their money, their "things," and their prayers in numbers that are almost beyond comprehension. Your first-hand account was a terrific reminder of the spirit of love that is in us, if we let it free. Thank you!

Great job Arne. I feel great honor to know you will be a part of my son's family soon. We don't have the many of the victims here but, we are on our way to FL to a Retired US Marshal's Convention tomorrow in hopes of putting together a fund to help those in Biloxi. All the deputies there lost their homes. If I could, I would be down there with my hammer in hand. God Bless. Hope to see you at the wedding. Denise

RETURN TO PROVIDE CLOWN RELIEF

My wife and I returned the next day to the Salvation Army Headquarters to continue in the sorting/packing work. The activity was about the same as the day before, but different groups were coming as teams from the businesses in town..

One of the on-line groups asked for clowns to write about their experiences in working at the shelters for the Hurricane victims. I have found that the organizations such as the Red Cross and the Salvation Army don't always know about the power of the red nose. They also asked for hints as to how clowns can get involved. My answer is the Sneak Attack.

When my wife and I first went to the Salvation Army we signed up to work at the Phoenix Coliseum which is where the New Orleans residents were being sheltered. There were so many volunteers that signed up that it was necessary to get on a waiting list. So we were scheduled for Friday the 16th to work serving food to the residents. Lunch ran from 11 to 1:30.

When the morning arrived I decided, why not dress up. I had left my costume at the hospital so I got some suspenders, a derby with feathers, old pants, a striped shirt, and my parade shoes. I did wear a red nose but no makeup at all. It was enough for them to get the idea.

When we checked in they required us to get a Salvation Army red apron and a name tag. The women that was checking us in wrote my clown name on the name tag and put my apron on backwards. Honest engine, it was her idea. Cool!

Being that our shift was from 10 to 4, which dragged out to 6, I had plenty of time to get into mischief. Deed I did!

Since my clown life is as a hospital clown, I don't twist balloons because our hospitals don't allow them due to allergies. So I have learned to draw faces, cartoons, of the people I am making the balloon for, and I just use regular old 9 inch or 11 inch round. The nice part about it is that regular balloons can stimulate some volley ball type play, they always do, and this was no exception.

Had a ball playing with the kids of course, but the adults ate it up too! And the magic tricks that are interactive like we do in the hospital, where the patient does the magic, intrigued grownups more than the kids. Also showed the standard pictures of the clown family which invited loud guffows from the adults, especially " my dead aunt".

Gave out some of Shobi Dobi's noses to those inclined, and gave a brief class on juggling to whoever wanted it. Then I gave them a turn at the balls and bean bags. During lunch, I stopped serving for a few seconds every now and then to juggle rubber eggs and gave the people in line a choice between scrambled, easy over, or just plain roar eggs (eggs with a growl).

Sat in groups with adults and listened to harrowing stories about the floods. Visited the processing stations where people were getting clothes, upper and lower dentures, looking for lost pets and loved ones, arranging for housing, and a dozen other services. Had lots of fun entertaining the various staffs of the Red Cross, etc.

The one problem I ran into dealt with picture taking. The Red Cross was very sensitive about pictures being taken inside the building because of possible liability issues. And they told out to stay out of the sleeping quarters. The police and public safety officers were sensitive to pictures of the security arrangements, which was very tight. But they only issued a scolding and didn't confiscate pictures.

I had hoped to document the event but we limited ourselves to pictures that were invited, such as clown with children with the permission of their parent. We have forwarded them to addresses which we were given. My only coup was getting the FEMA boss to wear one of my Dr Zeus hats with a red nose. I forwarded it to the email he requested which I'm sure was not the Washington Post, nor the FEMA headquarters.

The experience was so similar in nature to clowning for people around the world. People exposed to red noses are drawn to play in a very natural way....I believe. It's so universal. But in this instance there is so much pain and suffering, that it helped to have some separation from the tragic events by several days. But the people's acknowledgement of gratitude was restated throughout the day. "Thanks for coming", they said. And that should resonate through the entire clown community whether you contributed time to events, checks to the red cross, or just "wanted to be there" but couldn't be because of distance or circumstances. We should be proud of our clown brothers and sisters for being an army in readiness to meet the needs of the human spirit.

So one thing I learned here, just as the clowns that have responded elsewhere, in different circumstances, at different times, when tragedy occurred, is just to give the gift of presence if you can. You don't need an award winning makeup job or costumes that cost hundreds of dollars. Just you be you, and deliver that smile which is our great gift that costs nothing, but keeps on giving.

Arne Swensen
Dr Laffngiggl/Rum Dum
Foundation for Therapeutic Clowning

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