Wednesday, September 7: Day 2

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On Wednesday, the Houston Rockets, KPRC Channel 2, and Memorial Hermann Hospital continued their HopeFest mission by introducing agency assistance to the evacuees and victims of Hurricane Katrina. During the early morning, Rockets staff members and volunteers gathered on Level 1 of the Toyota Tundra Garage and helped distribute donated goods to the families that were devastated by the Hurricane. Items such as paper towels, suitcases, backpacks, food, clothes, toys, and more were handed out as families lined up and chose their selection of goods. The lot was full of donated items, which was only a more evident indication of how caring and thoughtful the city of Houston was towards those in need.

"It's a pretty unbelievable thing that was put together here fairly quickly to try and help out these people who have just been devastated by this tragedy," said Rockets guard Bob Sura, who along with other Rockets players Jon Barry, Luther Head, Mike James, David Wesley, Tracy McGrady, and Derek Anderson, made an appearance to greet families and sign autographs. "Anything we can do to try and help out, we feel good about it."

HopeFest also hosted an agency assistance program for those looking to land back on their feet, career-wise. Held on the Main Concourse of Toyota Center, the program included basic human services such as job skills training, job placement, housing assistance, medical services, counseling, and school registration. Agencies such as the Houston Area Urban League, United Way, the Work Source, Houston Independent School District, and many, many more were available to lend their help and guidance to those in dire need of such care.

"We're trying to move to the next step. The first concern of everyone is to meet the immediate needs for food and shelter, and I think the city has done a good job of rallying around that cause," Rockets CEO George Postolos said. "But that's not enough. A whole city, a whole community has been displaced and these people need jobs and they need to get their kids in school and they need permanent housing. Others need medical care and counseling. So the idea of HopeFest is to get them moving to the next step and to help them start putting their lives back together and to put them in touch with the agencies and employers who can help them get back on their feet."

HopeFest will be continuing on through 9 p.m. Wednesday night, and will also be available for its last day on Thursday from 7 a.m- 3 p.m. Donation distributions and agency assistance will both be on hand again. Thursday marks the end of what has been an overwhelming showcase of love and support on behalf of Houston, Texas.

"I think it's been a great thing," Wesley said. "I think a lot of people have been helped, and a lot of people have participated and done a small part for a big cause."