Posted on 09/01/2005 12:45:35 PM PDT by hocndoc
Freepers, help me come up with concrete actions, consistent with our conservatism and the true spirit of America, to blunt the homelessness, unemployment and possible hunger, disease and social breakdown that Katrina left in her wake.
Our group has influenced and ensured the fairness of elections. We are watchdogs for the press and brave extreme heat and cold to stand up for our Country, our Soldiers and human life. Our prayer groups have seen miracles happen. We can make a difference for the future of our children by acting this week.
We all want to give what we can, and we're waiting during these times of confusion. Like the wandering homeless on I 10, we don't know where to go. We can give to the Red Cross or to the Salvation Army, etc., but that may not be enough for some of us who want to ***do*** something!
Many of us are lucky enough to have a spare bedroom, an RV parked in the alley, or even guest houses that the kids aren't living in this month. We need to open our homes to the homeless and help those without jobs find work so that they, too, can help others as well as themselves.
I remember the flood in 1998. Our neighbors loaned us their guesthouse. I think their kindness, and that of our church members who helped clean up the mud, were what kept me from a complete nervous breakdown.
I'm not suggesting that we drive up to the Superdome and take just anybody into our homes. Use the connections that you've already got in place to help find trustworthy guests.
This morning, my husband emailed the listserve for the National Pawnbrokers Association to let them know that we will take in one family for the duration and that he could probably help by providing a job for one or two pawnbrokers. We may end up squeezing in 2 families for a while - but that's better than the Astrodome or a motel room in a stressed area. We are fortunate to have the room and my husband always needs good employees.
If you don't have friends or family in the areas affected by Katrina, call your church's national charity, your professional associations, and your unions. Ask for references, etc.
Maybe we could even make a list of Freepers who were and those able to help - what could be better than 5 years or so of FR posts to judge someone?
We keep hearing that the homes that are intact now shelter 4 or more families. I'm sure that your basement family room would look like a palace to one of the families.
If you don't have extra room or a job, work through these associations to focus the aide you can give.
Here's a list of helpful supplies that I remember from '98:
Plastic Laundry baskets. Trash bags. Plastic buckets Sponges Bleach
I save my big Laundry detergent bottles with spigots for "emergency water supply." They could be portable showers and cleanup centers - or even drinking fountains - if we could get them to the people who need them. Or, maybe others would donate one of those big water jugs with spout that construction crews use.
Sent a letter to the CEO of my company, a multinational corporation, suggesting that he authorize a program to "match funds" for employees assisting this effort.
That doubles the contributions that our 150K plus employees could give.
First effort.
Could you ping your lists?
This may sound trivial. I can't take in a family, however, I could take in some pets (dogs). But I have no idea how to find out if anyone needs this help. I'm in Austin. At least it might give a family freedom from worry and allow them to live someplace for awhile that might not allow pets. I promise to give them back!
Houston Area FReepers ping!
Ideas, anyone???
bump
I am in the Houston area. There is plenty to do to help those in Houston who left NO (both before and after the storm). There is shelter being set up down the street from where I work in the Clear Lake area (near NASA/JSC). I plan to help out there. Over the next month -- because I do not doubt it will be open that long.
At least it's a start.
For us: Money to Southern Baptist Convention's Home Missions specal Katrina relief fund, and some to Salvation Army. None to American Red Cross.
I have a 4 bedroom house in the Dallas area that is empty--I am in the process of refurbishing it, but all it really needs is someone to put the 3 toilets back in to be perfectly habitable--it is empty, but I have some spare furniture I could put in it--if there is a family out there that could make use of it and is in reasonably good shape physically to help me move some stuff-the reason it is not finished and up for sale is my own back going out recently-I would gladly make it available. I would especially be interested in helping out a military family, but if the breadwinner is interested in roofing, I could put him to work, probably.
I have an idea. Why do we put up a link on this site to donate for the flood victims or maybe even do a fundraiser on this site. This place gets a lot of traffic. Thank you for you time and consideration.
So far...no takers.
I'm way up north here but did make a healthy donation to the Redcross . Everything helps.
1)Wife had 0830 meeting to organize her middle school to get school supplies, clothes, games, stuffed toys for the kids at the Dome. This Ft Bend ISD school raised $5,200 for Tsunami relief, and over a hundred bags (yearly) of bathroom supplies, underwear and socks for homeless veterans who show up at the Houston Veterans Hospital.
2) Sent email to Harris County asking the best way for my friends and me to help.
3) Contacted neighbor who has a daughter working for the Salvation Army to find out their needs.
4)Last night sent email to my Pastor to get the church to organize a blood drive.
5)Just now sent email to local Rotary District asking if we can tie our efforts in with them as they will be better organized
My wife and I got together a care package of toiletiers and diapers for the people in the dome last night. Her school is taking it up.
Here is a message that was sent to my company from Eckels office. The immediate need in this appeal has been satisfied through Labor Day, but it offers some starting points for offering aid in Houston, TX
---begin ---
From County Judge Robert Eckels:
Harris County Citizen Corps Members,
Today we are going to help those who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina who are currently located in the Super Dome in New Orleans. Up to 25,000 citizens are going to be relocated to the Astro Dome. We need your help.
We are requesting volunteers to assist in setting up the dome with cots and other basic necessities. This needs to be completed by 1700 or 5pm CST. We need for you to forward to anyone how can help through your businesses, churches and organizations.
We will also need volunteers to assist in the documentation and check in of all who arrive. CERT Teams will be needed to assist citizens from the busses to the check in locations.
Logistical information with locations and staging areas will be sent out shortly. Please e-mail Mark Sloan MTSloan@itc.co.harris.tx.us to let them know how many people you have that can assist, include time frames, as this time it will be a 24/7 operation.
This task is unprecedented and can be completed with the support of our citizens.
Thank you for your continued support,
Harris County Judge Robert Eckels
Chairman Harris County Citizen Corps
Nicole Dukehart
Director of Marketing & Special Events
North Houston-Greenspoint Chamber of Commerce
15600 JFK Blvd, Suite 150
Houston, TX 77032
Ph: 281.442.8701
Fax: 281.442.8713
www.nhgcc.org
Jill Boullion
Boullion Graphics
281.444.5749
Corporate Communications & B2B Marketing Design Leadership North Houston, Class of 2004
2006 March of Dimes Walk America Greenspoint Chair
---end---
They'll need TP, for sure. Tarps can be used to seperate people from wet ground or to make a shelter.
toothbrush, trash bags, WATER'S, shampoo & conditioner, towels and wash, trash cans, .........?
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