What are the other needs, Mike? If they need things like a rental car, there must be a local businessman who can help. What local restaurants want to provide some meals?
Uncleshag -- as we had been discussing, this is the kind of thing that deserves some of the proceeds of the parody CD -- YOU'VE BEEN FREEPED, Vol. 1. This is perfect. Of course, we are presuming that people are actually going to buy it. :)
Even Pre-paid phone cards would probably be welcome, I'd guess - to be used from hospital payphone, etc. and so Melany doesn't have to rely on her cell phone to get updates out to people. Just a thought....