“According to what a poor person is lacking, you are commanded to give to him or her.”  
- Mishneh Torah, Gifts to the Poor 7:3

The people living in the Sugar Hill Trailer Park all have one thing in common: They lost their homes in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two hurricanes that devastated the Gulf Coast almost two years ago. Those who were displaced were sent to live in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Trailer Villages, like Sugar Hill. They were provided with a trailer as their temporary home. Many residents still have several generations of their family living in a small, stuffy trailer.

I heard about the lack of hope among those living in Sugar Hill, so on May 19, 2007, upon my visit to the trailer site, I made it my responsibility to put a smile on the faces of kids and adults and let them know they are not forgotten.

Because the media attention has shifted to other news stories since the storm, people assume that those affected by the hurricane are receiving help. That is not the case. Thousands are still displaced, houses have fallen off of their foundations due to flood damage and the streets are quiet—as if no civilization ever existed.

The Jewish community here in Westchester, New York responded to the needs of the community in New Orleans. Not only as Jews, but also as Americans, we felt it was our duty to lend a hand and perform mitzvot (literally, commandments).

The UJA-Federation of New York Mission to New Orleans and Baton Rouge was made up of mothers and their daughters between the eighth and 10th grades. The itinerary of our three-day trip included sorting food at the Baton Rouge food bank, picking up garbage in the Lower Ninth Ward (a section of New Orleans completely destroyed by the hurricanes), organizing and distributing supplies and holding a Day Full of Fun at Sugar Hill.

Most residents don't have cars, making it difficult to get to or from a job. This means that often, they have limited or no income. Our goal was to distribute the goods and play with the kids, instilling hope in them and letting them know that we care.

The day was extremely rewarding. The daughters played with the kids and the parents helped with the supply distribution. We painted their faces, drew with chalk, played jump rope and ate ice cream together. The yelling, the cheering and the laughter were overwhelming. Looking at these kids who have no material possessions makes me realize just how lucky I am to have all the simple things that I take for granted.

One little boy came up to me and said, “Thank you, you've made my life complete.” With those words, I surely knew I had reached him and had brought hope and happiness to someone who had lost everything. Knowing that I had touched people's hearts was such an amazing feeling that I know I will never forget.