Some people gave the few hours they had to spare, others returned on a daily basis and became familiar faces among the evacuees. Some organized volunteer groups - Temple Community Response Team (CERT), Salado CERT, the Bell County Sheriffs Posse and church groups - had all available volunteers working between their normal jobs.

The following gives you a chance to meet just a few of the volunteers who gave their time.

Joseph Cotton, policeman

When a couple of teenage boys get bored, trouble can follow. In the early hours one morning at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center two teen evacuees with too much energy decided to stay up for as long as possible.

Enter officer Joseph Cotton of the Temple Police Department who could have just asked the boys to settle down. But Cotton got clever.

One radio call to officers in their patrol cars and all the stuffed animals they kept in cars for use when dealing with children were delivered to the convention center. Two hyped-up teenagers were given the chore of delivering a toy to each person sleeping in the shelter. It was just what the boys needed.

Fire Capt. Le Roy Vargas

In church on Sunday congregants discussed how fortunate Temple residents were and how unfortunate Brazoria County residents had been. Displacement, the unknown, the stress and worry were all things these people had to go through.

One congregant, Capt. Le Roy Vargas of Temple Fire and Rescue, wondered what else he could do for these people. It reminded Vargas of his childhood and how a trip to the movies could take you away from the very worst of problems.

The idea of Movies at the Mayborn was mentioned to Fire and Rescue Chief Lonzo Wallace who agreed it would be an enjoyable time for evacuees.

One big screen for the side of the building, a projector to show the movie, donations of snacks from Sam’s Club and the trimmings funded by Temple Professional Firefighters Local 846 and … voila! On Tuesday night evacuees staying at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center were given the opportunity to escape their worries as they watched the movie “August Rush” on the big screen.

Nicholas Baker

He lost his home after a tree fell on top of their trailer in Angleton and had been at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center for six days when 11-year-old Nicholas Baker figured there was something he could do to help others.

After gaining the permission of Temple city employees, Nicholas and his dad joined the volunteers helping out at the shelter. His commitment started on Tuesday night in the foyer of the center where evacuees can collect the odd snack, the required diaper, and wet ones and tissues.

“I like helping people, it makes me feel good,” Nicholas said. “Today we went to the veterinary clinic to see our min-pin (miniature pinscher) named Lucy. She was so pleased to see us and they are taking such good care of her.”

Belton Veterinary Clinic, under the supervision of Dr. Warren Dunn, is caring for evacuees’ pets.

“The people here have been more than gracious,” Nicholas said. “They have provided clothes, food and shelter - everything! The people in Temple are angels, they have given us safety.”

Baker said he was not going to be a burden. “I want to be an asset while I am here.”

Maria Vences

Vences of Temple is not new to volunteering. She worked at local shelters after Hurricane Rita and is an active member of Temple Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Vences was one of the first volunteers to arrive at the Bell County Expo Center when Brazoria County executed mandatory evacuations. CERT’s original call went out at about 1p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 9. By 2 p.m. members were being trained to register evacuees. “I was greeting the evacuees,” Vences said. “Then I would get on the buses as they arrived and explain the process in both English and Spanish.

“The evacuees have touched my heart many times,” she said. Most of her time has been spent at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center since the Bell County Registration Center closed.

Vences met a lady who was having problems with asthma and needed medication. Vences took her to the Temple Fire and Rescue EMTs and paramedics that have been at the shelter every hour of every day. “When I took her there she just cried, she broke down. I want them to know that we are their friends. I want to make them feel like they are home.”

Mavis Salladay

Salladay lives in Rogers but works in Temple at Materials Transportation Co.

“I received an e-mail from Linda Paulson from United Way. The e-mail said to get ready for evacuees that were coming in,” Salladay said.

Salladay said she passed on the e-mail to colleagues and friends to see if any of them could sign up. She has continued to work her full-time job and then goes to the shelter to help, sometimes not finishing until after 11 p.m. Her husband delivered 10 generators to Brazoria County over the weekend.

“Ike has been a whole lot more organized than Rita. There have been more volunteers and the food has been a lot better this time, she said. “Evacuees have been receiving three good meals rather than snack foods provided during Rita. Bedding has been better as well. This time we had FEMA cots rather than mattresses on the floor.

“I don’t think of me, I think of them and sharing the love and sharing what God has given me to give to them.

“It has to be devastating for them knowing they have lost everything or not knowing what they are going back to.”

Salladay was a child when Hurricane Carla wiped out her family home. “I think that made me get involved. I can remember it like it was yesterday.”

Mary Shockley

Shockley from Belton saw a notice in the newspaper that volunteers were needed. She called the city and started volunteering on Friday at the special needs shelter at the old police station.

Most of her days have been spent organizing activities for evacuees.

“Bingo has been very popular for the people here,” Shockley said. “We have also played dominoes and the younger ones had a Playstation to help occupy their time.”

With a background in nursing, Shockley has been a great assistance to the evacuees. She was called several times by evacuees during the interview and quickly ran to meet their needs.

“I would do this again in a heartbeat. It’s nice because the people are so grateful that you are here for them,” she said.

Mary puts in about four hours a day.

“I haven’t really giving up anything except for my workout at Curves in Belton,” she said.

“The thing that really grabs around here is that we are just people helping each other. It’s not just me, it’s a group of wonderful people helping each other,” she said. “It’s what you would do for your fellow man.”

Bettye Waddington

Waddington has been involved in the Retired Senior Volunteer Program or RSVP. She started last Thursday at the special needs center and has been working between six and eight hours a day.

“I have been working mostly in the kitchen helping to serve meals to the evacuees,” Waddington said. “I enjoy working with senior citizens and special needs people.

“It makes me sad that some people have lost everything,” she said. “There are a few people I have grown attached to. … People have come to know me and trust me,” she said.