I know some would like to do something in the present emergency, but many are not at all sure what to do, or how. This thread is launched in the hope that it may clarify some of these questions, and in providing answers make it possible for some folks to do something who for lack of any obvious way to help might otherwise not.

The best thing to do (unless you have legitimate business there) is to avoid going into the area and adding both to the confusion and to the drain on the limited resources that are there. Housing and shelter are in high demand as we already know - food must come in from outside.

The best way to help I think is to provide support in whatever way we can. Even if a bunch of us did load up trucks and go there, the chance of refueling would be a serious issue. It is better then to donate from a local center, and Chapters of the American Red Cross can be found in almost every major population center.

Donations do not have to be cash - some things are more helpful (thus - valuable) than others. Blood and Blood Plasma, for example. Baby Care Supplies (GOODS can be donated at local centers). Canned food, containers for water, all sorts of things, even building materials...

To find a local chapter of the American Red Cross, please follow these links:

http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.asp
or this one:
http://www.redcross.org

Much more than I could hope to explain can be found there, and the first link is to ARC chapters and websites by state.

In my opinion - we can all cry, we can all cuss. But these are not skills that would be very helpful. Of course, it goes without saying that we should pray if we are so inclined... But for the most part, it's kind of like Yoda said:

"DO! Or do not..."

It's up to each of us to make that choice.


~Greywolf

PSONEDIT: The magnitude of this disaster is probably greater than Pearl Harbor in 1941. Maybe as great as Hurricane Andrew. An entire city is pretty much gone.

They will need all the help they can get, for some time to come.

 

I just called and donated money Greywolf. Know what? It feels good to do that!!!

 

I once read that there was a man who stopped on highways to help people in need - even though he was on a schedule, driving a big rig, and had to get where he was going with his loads on time.

This did not bother him, and he did what he could everywhere he went...

Old couples in Buicks and Oldsmobiles, youngsters out of gas, salesmen with flat tires, it made no difference to him.

When he was offered money for his help - he refused it. When he was asked why, he said:

"If I took your money, it would just be an ordinary cash transaction. Sure, I would be compensated, and yes - it might help me help someone else later, but it would make it meaningless. To do something like this, and not expect anything in return gives me a deep sense of satisfaction way inside - and you can't buy that 'feeling' at any price! There is only one way you can get it..."

He called himself "Blue Max"...

ddrumman2004? You are now a hero - welcome to "The Order of the Blue Max"!

There is also this to consider:
"But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees all things done in secret will repay you.”

It is said that what we do for others shall return unto us sevenfold. Still - this should not be the reason for the doing of them. Only that what is right should be done by those who can do so.

"Who must do the difficult things? He who can."
-Trevanian


~Wolfie

PS: If even a little can be done for those in need because I have posted this here - then I have done well.

Thank you!

 

I will be donating money through the company that I work for. For the next week, they will be matching employees donations dollar for dollar.

 

Wolf, Hope you don't mind jumping your thread.

I worked for thirty plus years In the disaster response area. What is needed most right now is financial support for the relief agencies.
The following organizations are all part of the Federal Disaster Response network.
What that means is that they all have well trained responders, mostly volunteers, and that they have a proven track record.
If you decide to make a donation to one of these agencies make sure that you indicate that the donation goes to “Hurricane Katrina Disaster”. All the money is earmarked soley for that effort.

American Red Cross, (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) English, (800) 257-7575 Spanish.
Operation Blessing, (800) 436-6348.
America's Second Harvest, (800) 344-8070.
Adventist Community Services, (800) 381-7171.
Catholic Charities USA, (703) 549-1390.
Christian Disaster Response, (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554.
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, (800) 848-5818.
Church World Service, (800) 297-1516.
Convoy of Hope, (417) 823-8998.
Lutheran Disaster Response, (800) 638-3522.
Mennonite Disaster Service, (717) 859-2210.
Nazarene Disaster Response, (888) 256-5886.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, (800) 872-3283.
Salvation Army, (800) 725-2769.
Southern Baptist Convention-Disaster Relief, (800) 462-8657, Ext. 6440.
United Methodist Committee on Relief. (800) 554-8583.

 

Thank GOD for you!

NICE POST!

- All help is welcome in this effort

 

Like Maa139, I donated through my employer and they matched it $ for$.

 

From parks911:

Following is a list of other Web sites offering disaster relief information:

Federal Emergency Management Agency
Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/

Louisiana Homeland Security
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/

City of New Orleans
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx

Louisiana Governor's Office
http://www.gov.state.la.us/

Catholic Charities
Phone: 1-800-919-9338
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

FEMA Charity tips
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
http://www.nvoad.org/

Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
http://www.la-spca.org/

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
Ande Miller, Executive Director
Phone: 703-339-5596

I cannot say that I am coordinating this. I am only doing what I can to bring help to these people, and hoping that it works...

 

Our church is raising money to send to Red Cross.Me and mom was going to go down and help surve food but my school schedule got in the way.Are any of yall thinking about fostering some of the pets?I'd love to get couple dogs and take care of them.Don't think I can though,wouldn't have anywhere to put them.

 

I would love to have some pups, but my yard is not fenced - and there are wild critters around here.

Puppies are long time friends of mine.

 

Yeah,I'd love to take about 7,even if full grown.I used to have 3 full grown and 7 puppies running round.Of course thats when we had 33 acers.I miss having a dog.I think I wouldn't want to give any dog back though if I got to foster them for a while.

 

I went to my local Harley dealership tonight & spoke to the manager about organizing a charity ride.

They are now considering it but want to wait a week or two so people can actually see the realizm of this disaster.

 

My employer has also announced they will match funds donated for relief. If you work for a large company you may try calling the HR dept. and putting a bug in their ear.

 

Just a quick note regarding donations other than money to the ARC. I was just on their website and it stated they were NOT accepting anything other than monetary contributions due to their inability to distribute other type of donations such as food. I am sure there are other groups collecting food, clothing, etc., for the hurricane relief effort.

As a note, my family is donating several thousand dollars worth of stuffed toys to the cause. We recently closed our retail candy and gift store and have an inventory of toys which we feel the children would enjoy, especially since so many lost everything. I am thinking about trying to get other retailers in our area to donate and make it a community effort. The holidays are rapidly approaching and these kids have little to nothing, and are not likely to get much more, if anything.