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Helping hands in Houston

Houston Chronicle:

You wouldn't know Houston was the nation's fourth-largest city based on the small-town generosity and good will that emerged alongside the threat of Hurricane Rita.

In a sprawling metropolitan area of more than 4 million, where neighbors easily never meet, people found ways to aid and comfort others like they would a family member or friend. Neighbors helped each other board up windows and swapped phone numbers, promising to check on the other's property. Strangers delivered gas and bottled water to people who were having little luck escaping the storm's pro- jected path.

As essentials such as gas, batteries, plywood and water became scarce, Houstonians didn't just share tips on where to find them with loved ones — they also contacted local media to relay information to the public. And in some cases, co-workers became roommates.

Hubert Cheng, co-owner of Azuma restaurant, said when one of his workers got stranded at the airport Thursday, Cheng grabbed an extra cot and went to get him. "He's been with (Azuma) so long he's family," Cheng said.

There is much more. This story says a lot about the character of the Houston area. I have often experienced this caring attitude in Houston and have tried to show the same. When I went into Houston to pick up my wife who had run out of gas on the way home Thursday evening I saw a wealthy Chinese family in a Range Rover and a new Lexus sedan pouring gas for a two and a half gallon container into the vehicles. Since I had just come in on some back roads I knew that none of the stations along their route would have any gas. The Mayor and County Judge had just said that if you have not already left you will be better off at home if you live in a non flood prone area. I went over and explained the gas situation and what the local officals were saying. They all seemed quite relieved as they turned around and headed back home.