August 31
...serving up your daily dish.
People are offering room to Katrina refugees in their Brooklyn and Queens apartments. Anyone in Baristaville putting out the word?
(Thanks, Chris Greeder, for alerting us.)
August 31, 2005 in Civic Virtue | Permalink
It is a shame that it takes a tragedy the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina to unite people in a common cause.
In times such as these we should recall the words of John F. Kennedy -
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"
Thanks for the posting - craigs list here I come!
Posted by: Franklin | Aug 31, 2005 5:43:34 PM
I can hardly read that page on craigslist - I keep weeping. Does anyone know of a local church or group gathering clothing, toys, toiletries and the like for shipping to Baton Rouge or Houston?
Posted by: Binks | Aug 31, 2005 5:46:14 PM
Here's a PSA:
Those who wish to help with immediate financial assistance are encouraged to do so directly with one of the following voluntary organizations designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:
American Red Cross (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) in English, (800) 257-7575 in
Spanish
Salvation Army (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
Operation Blessing (800) 436-6348
America's Second Harvest (800) 344-8070
Adventist Community Services (800) 381-7171
Catholic Charities, USA (800) 919-9338
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
Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief (800) 462-8657, ext. 6440
United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Posted by: Franklin | Aug 31, 2005 7:11:13 PM
I have a personal friend, who I've known for 30 years, whose home was destroyed from Katrina. She managed to flee New Orleans with her partner and mother, with just enough belongings, her important paperwork and $600 cash.
She is staying @ a Comfort Inn Suite for $60/night in Greenville, Mississippi. She was unable to get back to New Orleans. The infrastructure is totally destroyed. She is an employee at the airport and she said, "Of the 4 concourses, 3 were destroyed. They are only accepting medical relief."
Her credit cards are going to max out soon, and her savings bank was destroyed. She has no access to her bank account from an ATM. It is not responding.
I am sending her emergency $$'s. If anyone would like to donate to her cause, please contact me @ [email protected]. Her name is Denise Hale. I know this is a hard request, but I would like to set up some sort of fund and don't know the best way to do it. I just don't want to send it to an agency. It will take weeks for them to get relief.
Thank you all for your advance support.
Posted by: Barbara Miller | Aug 31, 2005 9:49:48 PM
If you work for a large company, keep in mind that they often match charitable contributions, but there is probably a form or process that needs to be completed. In such significant disasters, some companies set up their own relief fund to facilitate their employees' contributions. This may be a good way to double your donation.
Posted by: MadBrian | Sep 1, 2005 8:06:33 AM
Barbara, that's fine, but beware of scams to come. I thought of offering to put up a family, but it just seems too scary, alot of the victims in the news getting some help still seem too angry and ungrateful. But if people have a spare apartment(I don't) or even a decent garage(I don't)maybe they could help. But there will be lots of jobs down there once the water is cleared up. The people receiving aid from the goodwill of others should be the first to raise their hand for volunteer clean up work. I have a feeling this won't happen since they're shuttling lots of them to another state! What a mess. In the meantime, (I posted this on another blog), all of us that can, should donate the price of a new pair of shoes or the cost of a dinner out!
Posted by: dj | Sep 1, 2005 8:54:19 AM
Thanks. Yes that's all Deni needs. Money for everyday living. Food, toiletries, lodging, etc., until she can sort out what to do next. She has a job. She works @ the airport that is closed right now. The airport is trying to set up a satellite office in Baton Rouge, but she said that won't be for 2/3 weeks. This is not a scam. Deni is one of my dearest friends. I know her very well. That's why I posted this. I wouldn't do this if I didn't know her. And some people know me here.
Posted by: Barbara | Sep 1, 2005 9:07:32 AM
"It is a shame that it takes a tragedy the magnitude of Hurricane Katrina to unite people in a common cause."
This subject will divide us too. There will be 2 camps. The "we're not doing enough" camps and the "we're doing everything we can" camp. The political fights will begin, again. Neither of these groups will be happy. There are always the crybabies.
Posted by: dj | Sep 1, 2005 10:51:22 AM
