<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="+2"> Mavs coach asks for prayers, awaits word on sisters </font> <font size="+1"> </font> <font size="-1"> 02:17 AM CDT on Thursday, September 1, 2005 </font> <font size="-1"> By DAVID MOORE / The Dallas Morning News </font> Mavericks coach Avery Johnson was trying to get as close to New Orleans as he could Wednesday night to find out if members of his family were safe. "It's devastating what has happened to everyone," said Johnson, who grew up in New Orleans and was married there. "Just devastating. "We'll get past this. But it's just the beginning." The majority of Johnson's family and friends left the area before Hurricane Katrina hit. But two of his sisters stayed behind, and no one in the family has been able to contact them since. Johnson fielded calls from former teammates and friends around the country asking if he had heard anything and letting him know their prayers were with him. What he told them mirrored the statement the Mavericks issued on his behalf Wednesday afternoon: This wasn't just about his family. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was affected by this tragedy," Johnson said. "At this time, I would just like to ask that we all pray for those who are suffering and, when the time comes, that we open up our hearts and our wallets to the unfortunate victims. "This tragedy didn't hit Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. It hit America." Mavericks officials spent Wednesday discussing how they could work with relief organizations, the league and Players Association to help. The club encouraged donations on its Web site and established links to the Salvation Army and American Red Cross. Owner Mark Cuban said the Mavericks, "don't publicize our team charitable efforts." But Cuban and club president Terdema Ussery, who is a member of the board of the Salvation Army, have always been proactive in these matters. "We've had people in meetings all day to discuss the best ways to assist with the efforts," said Donnie Nelson, the Mavericks president of basketball operations. Nelson spent Wednesday setting up rooms at the old Sears Building in South Dallas to accommodate 30 people displaced by Katrina. "Just to be in a position to help makes you feel blessed."</div> Link
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><font size="+2"> Mavs coach continues to wait </font> <font size="+1"> </font> <font size="-1"> 10:10 PM CDT on Friday, September 2, 2005 </font> <font size="-1"> From Staff and Wire Reports </font> Mavericks coach Avery Johnson still has not heard from two sisters and a brother since Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and the gulf coast. Johnson has accounted for everyone else in his extended family. Some are staying with him at his home in The Woodlands outside Houston. Others have moved into area apartments, and he's been working to help find jobs for those who have been forced from their homes. Johnson is reluctant to talk about his family in public because he said he doesn't want to elevate his concerns above others. David Moore</div> Link
Whats happening in those places is really really sad and my prayers go out to every one who was there.
this katrina stuff is really sad and my prayers go out to not only AJ, but every1 struggling right now with this disadter.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Mavericks coach and New Orleans native Avery Johnson has located all members of his and his wife Cassandra's families after more than a week of uncertainty in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The storm and subsequent flood destroyed most material things, but Johnson learned Tuesday what was most important ? his family was accounted for. Johnson could not be reached for comment, but he said via a statement issued through the Mavericks that all his relatives and closest friends from New Orleans had been found.</div> Family of Mavericks coach is safe
