Freepers, Let's Roll! It's time to help Katrina's victims and we should go first. (Vanity)

Vanity | September 1, 2005 | hocndoc

[lastchance]

Good suggestion. To that I would add.
First aid supplies. Bandages, antibiotic ointment such as neosporin, betadine or other antiseptic wash, dental floss, adhesive tape, sanitary pads ( they are great for putting on bleeding wounds) insect repellent, ace bandage or other wrap for sprains, listerine ( for fungus infection) and
tweezers and scissors.
pre paid Phone cards for when the phones get working and people have to call relatives or call to find lodgings and jobs.

[grannyheart2000]

Put me on your ping list if you are making one up........I'm in Atlanta area and have spent the day trying to find a way to help. Met a young family this morning staying with relatives who left NO when it became apparent Katrina was coming and he said the devastation is beyond belief. They have lost everything they owned and made it out alive by the grace of God....he cried as he told me everything they have been through.......
Needless to say I cried too and told him America is praying for him but I really feel the need to do lots more. Lets see what we can come up with!

[Richard Axtell]

My post from earlier this moring:

We need to establish a registry of people, churches, organizations, local goverments, etc. that can "adopt" families made homeless by Katrina. There are people with enough room to put up a family of four or six, or more... in Ohio, in Washington State, in California, in every state of the Union.

Imagine if a computerized volunteer effort on the internet were established to put together families that need homes with families, churches, etc. that can provide them, all over the country? Could bus companies offer travel to regions, and people come pick up their new "wards" at centralized locations? Many homeless families have cars, but no destinations. We could give by opening up our homes? What do you think?

Rather than try and keep hundreds of thousands of people in tent cities, why not ease that crush by spreading the load across the entire nation? When the water subsides, it would make the lives of heads of families easier, if they knew that their children and grandmothers were safe out of state, when they begin the work of salvaging what they can from their destroyed or flooded homes. It would make me feel better, if I were in that position.

There are potential problems with this idea, but they are tiny compaired to the disaster we are all faced with. This is the single greatest catastrophy to hit America since the Civil War, let's all step up to it!

[antonia]

People may be willing to relocate. They need to be coordinated with people who can sponsor them in their new location. Perhaps photos, a brief description and someway to determine that they are not felons could be established. The internet could be and excellent medium, a site functioning somewhat like a dating service might work. I for one could have someone with a child stay with me in their own room, for about six months to get them started.

This would be good because no one area would be flooded with these newbies. The government could offer extra services through their welfare and work programs.

[blackie]

Donating to the Salvation Army is a start ~ Bump!

[Ditter]

I wish I was younger and stronger and could help NO clean up but that is not possible. I have donated a generous amount of money to the Salvation Army and our company has given an equal amount to the Red Cross. I made a $100. donation the the SPCA specifically for the LA animals that have been brought over. I am looking for other charities.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Our extended family is sending our Christmas budgets to the Salvation Army/Red Cross this year.

[MoochPooch]

I sent a monetary donation to the local Jewish organization. If I lived nearby I would certainly offer food, sundries, or living quarters.

[TomGuy]

Katrina helpful links:

Hurrican Katrina Helpline	Help for victims
Been There	A clearinghouse for families in need of clothes, toys and other supplies to be sent directly to their temporary homes
Craig's List	1200+ offers (most free) of housing, most under "New Orleans"
Open Your Home	By the same agency as does foreign exchange students. Compiling donated housing and housing requests.
Free Housing for Katrina Victims	Thousands of americans offering housing across the US
Hurricane Housing	Offers of housing to victims.
Homeflood.org	Offer Housing listings

[nicmarlo]

I gave to

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

headed by Franklin Graham.

That is all I am able to "do"....with more planned.

[buickmackane]

Thanks for crossposting my thread; the more people who see it, the better!

Here is a bulletin being distributed by a Rapides Parish public school:

Rosenthal Montessori Elementary School
1951 Monroe Street
Alexandria, LA 71301

Dear Parents:

Rosenthal Montessori Elementary is asking for things to help out of the people that have lost their homes in the hurricane disaster. There will be boxes at the front of the school each morning for you to drop off the goodies for the people in need. You can bring the following:

personal items
towels (all sizes)
toothpaste
blankets
toilet paper (lots!)
diapers
shampoo/conditioner
soap
deodorant
baby wipes
hand sanitizer
toys/books/magazines
medicines; ex. aspirin, Motrin, Pepto
notebooks/pencils
BOTTLED WATER

Anything you can do to help with this effort will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you,

Rosenthal Montessori Students, Faculty & Staff

It was just announced that all Rapides Parish public schools are officially closed tomorrow (Friday) because the school buses are being used to evacuate people from New Orleans to Houston. The Rapides Parish Sheriff Office will be escorting the convoy to ensure the drivers' safety.

Also in Alexandria, there is a telethon in progress which has raised over $13,000 so far for the Central Louisiana Red Cross. Donations should be specifically earmarked for the "American Red Cross - CenLa Chapter" so the money goes directly to the local refugee families.

Here are the numbers to call:

(318) 447-2542
(318) 447-2531

Thanks for caring!

[Earthdweller]

Call your area Red Cross and volunteer to go to the Gulf states effected.

They are taking people who are willing to go for at least ten days and you can take your disaster relief training course online.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

The Rotary District centered around Houston is making a major push. They are asking every member to give $20. This is their 4th message today:

With the assistance of 100.3 KILT, the Asian Chamber of Commerce, Houston West Chamber of Commerce, area Rotarians and other sources, Rotary District 5890 has compiled a resource list of assistance available and donations and volunteers needed during the Katrina Refugee Relief period.

Please visit www.rotary5890.org and follow the links in the center of the opening page.

Feel free to share this information with any other organizations you wish.

Yours In Rotary, Ken

[LucyJo]

Donating to church congregation that has taken in survivors.

[halfright]

I don't know if you caught the boat rescue yesterday where the family left a young Rotty standing on the roof of the house as they pulled away...I lost it....Don't think I could leave my dobe....she's our child....we rescued her from a guy who got time for his deeds. She has "issues" but shes my wifes shadow and I think we'd both have a hard time leaving her.

Then again I would have left by the day before the day before landfall....pets and all.....on foot if need be..thumbs up with a smile on my face hoping someone would give me a lift. They said the storm surge came inland 6 miles. I'm pretty sure I could do 4 miles a day even as crippled as I am with no feet.

Read your posts before...Used to live at Lake Buchanan....Even remember Lone Star Beer :-)I left when the tornado wiped a good swatch of real estate in Lampasas in the 70's and I know who Jethro Pugh is :-)

[Salvation]

I've been trying to get people to give for a couple days! Thank you!

Links to Salvation Army, Catholic Charities and Red Cross on this thread:

AS HURRICANE KATRINA ROCKS GULF, CATHOLIC CHARITIES PREPARES FOR MASSIVE RELIEF EFFORT

[Sloopy]

I hope that churches volunteer to adopt families. If each church in America adopted just one family, pledging to house, feed, clothe and assist with the finding of employment, it could make a difference. Perhaps one denomination could start by asking each of it's churches to adopt one family, and thereby set an example, and hopefully other denominations would follow. I realize some churches are very small and poor, but most are sizable enough to adopt one family.

[TXBubba]

Dogs are like family. I don't give them equal status as people but having lost (died) my dog of 16 years in February I know the feeling. Also, lost our house 7 years ago in a flood followed by a blizzard in Michigan. However, we were an anomaly and moved into a motel until we found a rental house. These folks have no place to go. I've donated funds, and I've been praying and I wish I could do more.

[wardaddy]

I've called every relief agancy in the areas that can be reached.

They said they are overwhelmed with help offers for now.

I have given my name with my self, my truck and trailer available.

Folks I know on the ground down there cannot get thru.

[wardaddy]

I agree...the SBC is excellent