Melissa, Pooks and everyone who have made or want to make donations -- thank you.
When we were going to Mandeville, we heard Congressmen Baker tell of the meeting he'd just had with the head of the Red Cross. He said to be able to put the cost into perspective, you first had to know that the Twin Tower tragedy cost for clean up and humanitarian effort was a 50 billion dollar cost. The Red Cross estimates this cost to be 90 billion. It's mind boggling.
They are still rescuing people, there are still hundreds, if not thousands, of people who are in their attics or on roof tops or on streets, looking for a way out of the water. I heard several stories from one of the rescuers which was absolutely heartbreaking. Stories of having to pass up people on roof tops because the boat was already full or with specific types of things beneath the water, they couldn't get the boat near enough to people.
To Donate directly to us...
The Red Cross has started a fund that will be specifically for people in Louisiana / New Orleans area. If you haven't yet made a donation to the Red Cross and you want the money to go specifically to this area, please put HURRICANE KATRINA in the memo section. If you want the money to be specifically for Louisiana (Katrina funds will be split among the three states), then put NOLA in the memo section.
There are several churches here who are taking donations of clothing, toys for the kids, books, etc., and I will have those addresss in the morning. I've got tons of clothes and toys that I'm bringing to one of the churches tomorrow. I don't have their address / contact number tonight, but I will have something tomorrow during the day.
My understanding is that there is a real need for clothes, but also for toys or something for these kids to have. It's 90+ temps and there is little to no air conditioning in some of the temporary camps that are set up. There's nothing for these people to do except sit there and be very very depressed. Anything -- seriously, anything you could send would be appreciated. I will try to get a specific list of items needed tomorrow. (This info could change by then, so check back here.)
We all thank you.
Posted by toni at August 31, 2005 07:38 PMToni,
So glad to hear you and your family (especially your dad) are okay!
People here in the north will of course donate to the Red Cross and other great organizations, but what else can we do to help?
People who can be saved, will be. People will be fed and sheltered, probably for months. But they've lost everything, including their jobs, and those won't be coming back for a long time. Surely there must be something creative we can do once the immediate emergency needs are met? If anyone there has a brainstorm, please let the rest of us know.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa Grant at August 31, 2005 08:31 PMNot exactly what you're asking about but as an fyi:
Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: http://www.la-spca.org
Posted by: pooks at August 31, 2005 08:52 PMToni:
Please post the addresses as soon as you can. (As if you needed me to rush you!) I'm a book reviewer with a box of old advance copies that can be mailed down first thing. I also have lots of contacts in the marketing area of the publishing world, hopefully I can let them know and they can send books as well. And then there are all the lit blogs...I write for Bookslut so should be able to get info posted over there and also at chicklit and other places.
At least there could be books to read and for lots of folks that will make a small difference.
Posted by: Colleen at August 31, 2005 09:19 PMIn addition to Lousiana you might consider sending the books to the Astrodome in Houston and Reunion Arena in Dallas. Both are going to be housing people for quite awhile, it appears.
But wherever you send them, that's a wonderful thing to do.
Posted by: pooks at August 31, 2005 09:23 PMI've got a ton of books and clothes plus I work at a bookstore and I think we'd ship our galleys, too; I'm going to talk to my boss tomorrow. I've also got a big box of new hotel and sample size shampoos and soaps and stuff like that that I was going to send to a women's shelter, but I think this might be a better need right now. Thanks for getting the addresses, Toni.
Posted by: Melissa at August 31, 2005 10:01 PMToni, thanks for the addresses (in advance). I have two boxes full of toddler boy clothes that I was getting ready to donate, and I'll send them off immediately.
Thank you for all you are doing.
Posted by: Athena at August 31, 2005 10:22 PMI live in San Angelo, TX but would love to mail to you or somebody baby clothes and toys and things. Have two little ones myself and always have extra stuff. Thanks for your blog and the real story.
Posted by: Serena at September 1, 2005 11:05 PMYour blog is realy very interesting.
Posted by: Mune at September 17, 2005 06:58 AM