O/T - Visiting New Orleans - need help

Hi, Robin! Wow!  I was just coming on here to ask about NO, myself!  We are visiting the same week you are! My WLS was in July of '05, so I am at goal, and I know eating will be a challenge.  I can eat just about anything, but still only small amounts (thank God)!  It makes it harder for the people I'm with, though, because I need to eat every 3 hours or so.  Luckily, it sounds like lots of yummy food all over down there. My big question was about volunteering.  We will be there for a week, and want to help out.  Most of the places that you can volunteer online want a commitment of at least a whole day, if not a week.  We'd really like to find a family that needs some help and give them a few hours, a couple of days that we're there.  We are all pretty handy with tools, and I love to paint and decorate.  I know once we start a project for somebody, we won't let go until it's done! Any ideas on how we can go about doing this?  We won't have a car (although we could rent one for a day or so, I guess), so that precludes us from just stopping at somebody's house and pitching in.  Is the 9th ward safe during the day?  Where else should we be focusing? Any ideas that anybody who is local can give would be appreciated! Bonnie

Hi there! That's really funny that we'll be there the same time...  While trying to sort through the hundreds of hotel/B&B choices, I cam across a website -- Trip Advisor --- you put in the area you're looking for -- New Orleans -- and then there are tabs -- Hotel, Restaurants, Forums (ect) -- click on the Forum tab -- and you can post a question.  I've posted 2 there already (needing help finding a place to stay and places and things you should stay away from).  Since the people that respond to you are familiar with N.O (New Orleans) or even live there - they would be the best people to talk with that might be able to answer your question. Good luck!  Maybe we'll pass each other in the street or at one of the restaurants!  :o) Robin

I know I'll look different from my profile picture, since I can't figure out how to change it to the "new me"! I have looked at TripAdvisor, but didn't see the question place!  I'll check it out! Thanks! Bonnie

ok -- go to Trip Advisor -- type in New Orleans....look to the middle and it will ay "Location Results 1 - 10 of 201 for New Orleans"   Check the 1st one -- New Orleans, Louisiana -- and under it it says Hotels, flights, things to do, dining, deals, forums, maps etc...... Click on forums you can read over all the other topics - or click the blue button on the right to "post a new topic". hope this helps... Robin

Thanks, Robin!