Like most of you, I spent much of the last week glued to the images coming out of Gulf Coast. In addition to my initial reactions of fear and sadness, I soon began to feel an overwhelming feeling of helplessness. During my life, I’ve been blessed with financial abundance, success, a wonderful family and a great network of friends and associates. Yet, with all of these riches, I was completely powerless to do so much as deliver a bottle of water to one of the victims of this tragedy. All I could do was join with the millions of Americans praying for their rescue.

Fortunately, as I write this newsletter, people are being rescued and evacuated, and hopefully, the worst is over. Furthermore, now that our thousands of our fellow Americans have been moved to dry land, the rest of us are no longer powerless to help. We can give our resources to those who have lost everything.

In fact, this process has already begun. This weekend, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and local churches raised hundreds of millions of dollars in donations for the victims of Katrina. In addition, corporations have pledged even more in the way of money and supplies. Of course, dashers have been part of these efforts. I’m absolutely confident that many of you have contributed quite generously to the relief effort.

Yet, I want to remind that this is just the beginning. Remember, hundreds of thousands of people have lost everything – their homes, their cars, their furniture. In most cases, they’ve even lost their jobs. Therefore, they have no way to immediately earn back what they’ve so cruelly lost. Needless to say, they are going to need our continuing financial support long after the media has packed up in search of the next big story.

However, perhaps more important than our financial aid (and that is VERY important) is our willingness to give of ourselves. Many of us have been looking for an opportunity to make an impact with your dash. Well, my friend, that opportunity has been thrust upon us. We may not have the opportunity to make a contribution that will change the world, but we can certainly do a world of good for our fellow citizens in their time of need.

Now, I know some of you are thinking, “But what can I do?” The answer is A LOT. Sure, you may not have any medical training or a background in disaster relief but you do have something to contribute. Perhaps, it’s your expertise in handling insurance claims. Perhaps, it’s your expertise in job hunting strategies. Perhaps, it’s your knowledge of the local housing market. Or maybe, it’s just your ability to be a good listener; someone who can simply sit and listen with empathy to a person who is experiencing a great deal of pain.

As for me, my plan is to donate my time as a speaker and motivator. Quite frankly, I can’t think of people who need more uplifting than the victims of this tragedy. If I can draw on my own struggles with adversity and just touch the heart of one man or woman who has given up hope, I will make more of a contribution than I could have ever dreamed of making.

And finally, don’t think that you must be located in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama or Mississippi to reach someone in need. Due to the extent of the devastation, many of the survivors have been displaced to communities all over the country. In the coming weeks, you will probably have a small community of evacuees within driving distance of you. These people – our people – will be in strange surroundings with, in most cases, nothing but the clothes on their back.

Hopefully, they will also have you to welcome them into your communities, churches, places of business and even your homes. Within this tragedy is an opportunity – an opportunity for each of us to do something truly meaningful with our lives. We have an opportunity to make a measurable impact. I’m going to use this opportunity to the fullest. How about you?