How You Can Help Floridians Suffering From Hurricane Charley [instructions from FL Gov Jeb Bush]

State of Florida Web Site - Hurricane Charley Resources ^ | Aug 15, 2004 | summer

[summer]

www.floridadisaster.org


Hello FR posters,

Thank you for your posts to me, and yes, I am OK. After we called FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA, the power went back on in an hour.

I am writing this note to let you know I saw Gov Jeb Bush on tv today, and he explained how people can help those Floridians suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Charley.

His comments were also published HERE in the NYT, and this is what he said:

The Republican governor urged people who wanted to help storm victims to donate money to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army rather than sending food, clothing and other supplies.

"I would urge people to provide financial support if they want to act on their compassion or act on their heart," he said.

The state's official web site has a lot of contact information in a large red box at the top of the homepage for these organizations: www.myflorida.com

Here is an excerpt of other comments by Gov. Jeb Bush, as reported in the above NYT article:

...."We are here to help you," he replied.

"There's no science that can exactly say where a hurricane will go," he said.

"This is God's way of telling us that he's almighty and we're mortal," said the governor, standing on Marion Street in Punta Gorda, a strip of small restaurants and stores with brick sidewalks and ornamental street lights, now littered with debris.

..."We live in paradise," he said. "This is kind of the bad side to that."

He said the devastation was worse than that of Hurricane Andrew, which raged through Florida in 1992, because its damage was spread over a wider area, from the southwest coast at Punta Gorda to the Atlantic coast at Daytona Beach.

[Gov] Bush said that while it was too early for a damage estimate, the cost would be "in the billions of dollars, adding, "If you count the number of roofs that need to be fixed, it's in the thousands."

...The National Guard had dispatched 1,500 troops to Charlotte County and neighboring areas by Saturday morning and planned to have 5,000 helping with damage assessment and search-and-rescue missions by evening, Gov. Bush said.

... In his news conference, Governor Bush pointed out that residents of many of the damaged trailer parks had been urged to evacuate.

"I've always worried about hurricane amnesia and you have to go through one and experience it to realize that it is going to happen," Gov. Bush said. " To the extent that it didn't, that's part of the reason there is going to be tragedy here today."

The local tv and radio newscasters are repeating Gov Bush's remarks, encouraging financial help to the Red Cross or Salvation Army. This will go to the people who have suffered, and is preferred to sending clothing or food because of the logistics of handling supplies. Right now some post offices are badly damaged.

Thanks for your help and prayers. A lot of people have lost their homes and businesses.

Sincerely,

summer

[summer]

FYI.

[TaxRelief]

Bump!

[PJ-Comix]

I live in Broward County and I went thru hell on Friday due to Hurricane Charlie. I was walking outside when suddenly a wind gust of about 35 MPH ruffled up my hair and caused me huge embarrassment in public before I combed it back in place. The psychological damage to me was DEVASTATING. What I want to know is what agency or organization I can turn to for psychological help in overcoming the public humiliation I suffered. I am still having nightmares about my hair being ruffled by Hurricane Charlie.

Note: No Jeb Bushes had their hair ruffled during the making of this post.

[summer]

LOL...

[summer]

RE post #23. You two should meet up. PJ's funny even in a crisis. :)

[summer]

Thanks for bumping this thread, TaxRelief. If I had more time, I would ping a whole bunch of people here.

[Flyer]

Bumping your thread because the Houston area is way overdue for a hurricane and I know our time is coming soon.

All the people of Florida are in my prayers.

[EllaMinnow]

Thanks, summer!

I just got this email from the Bush/Cheney Campaign:

________________________________________

We're writing to ask for your help.

But not for the campaign.

We're asking all our volunteers and supporters to participate in Hurricane Charley relief efforts. Whether it's contributing to a worthy cause or giving your time and energy, every little bit helps.

Below are two organizations that are working to help with Hurricane relief. We're sure both of them need your help.

Thanks for your consideration and God Bless.

Volunteer Florida
http://www.volunteerflorida.org/
1-800-FL-HELP1

American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/
1-800-HELP-NOW

We will be back in touch as soon as possible with how you can physically volunteer to help. For now, we hope you'll assist these two organizations.

________________________________

[summer]

You're right; he looks fine here:



But, on the scene today, as I saw on tv, his hair was in fact ruffled. Just FYI.

[summer]

Oh, that is great of them to do this. Thank you so much for sharing that info, EllaMinnow.

[summer]

Thanks, Flyer.

[nicmarlo]

bttt

[PJ-Comix]

I would like to conduct a scientific hurricane experiment. What I would do is place ex-Dolphins coach, Jimmy Johnson, in a hurricane and record what happens to his hair. I bet that not a hair on his head goes out of place.

[summer]

ROTFLMAO...

[summer]

Thanks, nicmarlo.

[lodwick]

I will get some SA help going on. Thanks, Summer.

[summer]

Thanks very much, lodwick.

[summer]

FYI.

[nicmarlo]

yw, summer; I called my friend a little bit ago...no answer. She lives near Clearwater...north, I believe. So, I'm sure she's fine. And the fact that the answering machine was working is good! I know her husband has family around there, but not sure where. I hope none of his kids/grandkids are hurt.

Prayers for you all there.

[summer]

FYI.