Just two days after State College residents Valerie and Al Gehn arrived in New Orleans for a leisurely vacation, their week of paradise turned into one of disaster.

Hurricane Katrina struck late on a Sunday night, and by the next morning, Aug. 29, there was no power, no running water, and no communication service.

The Gehns spent the next three days waiting in 100-degree heat for a bus that never came. Around them, looters were firing gunshots and people were having seizures from the heat. If people had to go to the bathroom, they had to use the street.

"Hopefully you will never experience the smell of overflowed toilets, [or] the anarchy that happened for three days until the Army came in and established some kind of security," Al Gehn said.

The Gehns were two of six people affected by Hurricane Katrina who shared their stories yesterday in front of about 40 people at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center in a session called "Voices of Experience."

Despite the grave conditions the Gehns found themselves in, they were touched by the acts of humanity they experienced. When food and water were scarce on the third day, Al Gehn said he tried to buy water off those who had it.

"At least two people refused the money and handed me the water," he said.

On Friday, Sept. 2, the Army arrived and took the Gehns and others on a 12-hour bus ride to Fort Smith, Ark. Some were sick and there were small children aboard.

"The strength of these people is enormous," Valerie Gehn said. "They waited in line very calmly. I'm amazed they didn't get sicker and angrier."

Chuck Rider, Rider Auto president, 1703 W. College Ave., was hundreds of miles away from New Orleans when he got a phone call that brought the hurricane close to home.

It was one of his employees, Tim Dry -- a big man, in the Navy -- in tears.

"He said, 'My wife is pregnant and we have no water. Help me,' " Rider said. "What do you do? You do whatever it takes."

Within 48 hours of holding a press conference, people from the community donated enough supplies to Rider Auto to fill nine vehicles. In the next 24 hours, they had 18 volunteer drivers to take the trucks to Mississippi.

"Rider Auto has a volunteer crew -- I don't know what cloud they came down on but they certainly came from heaven," Sara Craig of Rider Auto said.

Rider also told a story of a man who handed him a check for $10,000 and told him to use it for whatever he needed.

"It's heartwarming to be able to see the generosity of this community," Rider said.

Michelle Torregano, a student from Xavier University in New Orleans and a member of Penn State's doctoral program in the College of Education, spoke fondly of New Orleans and the faith she has that the city will rebuild.

"We may be poor in monetary gain, but we are rich in spirit," Torregano said. "Because of that, our city will thrive, succeed and grow."

Torregano also defended the actions of the looters and thieves who have put a negative spin on much of the hurricane coverage.

"If I were in the same situation, I would have knocked down any door or wall to provide food and water for my children," Torregano said. "This is not thievery; this is a matter of survival."

Xavier student and firefighter Dawn La Fargue reminded the crowd that to rebuild an entire city, the people of New Orleans will need continuous support.

"This thing's gonna affect us for a very long time in the upcoming months and even years," La Fargue said. "We're still gonna need the support."

The spiritual center is accepting donations such as non-perishable food, water, baby supplies, and battery-operated flashlights and fans until Oct. 14.

Donations can be dropped off at Rider Auto's collection site at 2011 Pine Hall Road until Oct. 16. People who wish to donate can also call The Salvation Army at 867-2515.