The following information was obtained from the FEMA website:

Donations and Volunteers
Beware of charity fraud
Check the credibility of charitable organizations
Please check with your tax advisor or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for more information regarding the tax deductibility of your donation.
Donate Cash

American Red Cross
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English,
1-800-257-7575 Spanish;

America’s Second Harvest
1-800-344-8070

Operation Blessing
1-800-436-6348

Donate Cash and/or Volunteer

Adventist Community Services
1-800-381-7171

B'nai B'rith International
1-888-388-4224

Catholic Charities, USA
1-800-919-9338

Christian Disaster Response
941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
1-800-848-5818

Church World Service
1-800-297-1516

Convoy of Hope
417-823-8998

Corporation for National and Community Service Disaster Relief Fund
(202) 606-6718

Feed the Children
1-800-525-7575

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
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief
1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

United Jewish Communities
1-877-277-2477

Union for Reform Judaism

United Methodist Committee on Relief
1-800-554-8583

For further information: visit the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD).

This list of organizations is provided by the National Organization of Voluntary Agencies Active in Disaster. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in having your organization added to the list.

The listing of or omission of an institution or organization on this Web site does not refer to programmatic capability nor does it confer any official status, approval, or endorsement of the institution or organization itself. This listing does not purport to be a listing of all organizations that are providing relief in the affected area. Additionally, there may be organizations providing relief in the affected area that are not accepting donations at this time. It is not the purpose of this Web site to make, or enable to be made, any representation to the public concerning the organizations listed. This listing is for informational purposes only. Any contributions you choose to make from links on this Web site are at your sole discretion.

Posted by: Franklin | Sep 2, 2005 12:11:29 PM

A lot of you have sent me emails of support, but if you really want to help, please be on the look out for any mention on any of the various websites, blogs, bulletin boards, etc for any mention of what has happened to the 100 or so elderly residents of the Metairie Manor assisted living facility.

We have lost all contact with my grandparents and do not know if they have been evacuated or are still in the building. The rest of my family is in Houston and will drive to get them wherever they are. I am trying to scan all the news sources, but every little bit helps.

If you see ANY mention of Metairie Manor assisted living facility, please, PLEASE forward it to me at [email protected].

We are very worried and can get no information from anyone.

Thanks.

Posted by: Daniella | Sep 2, 2005 12:12:17 PM

I donated via Google. Click on the "Donate Ribbon" and you will be processed thorough Amazon; quickly, safely and FOR THE RED CROSS. If you already have an account, even easier. I have a dear friend right here on Midland whose entire family lives there and she told me they lost everything. House, their offices, school. The lot. I'm just sick about it. Don't get me started on the Bush response.

Posted by: Escape Artist | Sep 2, 2005 12:14:34 PM

I will, Daniella. I've added Metairie Manor to my Google alerts. Hugs to you.

Posted by: Miss Martta | Sep 2, 2005 12:45:52 PM

Daniella:

My thoughts and prayer are with you.

I would suggest going to the following "Blog Links For Katrina Survivors and Families" at:

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9144525/

This might be a useful and important resource.

Posted by: Franklin | Sep 2, 2005 12:52:13 PM

Daniella, you may know about this site but Craig's List has a message board for Katrina that may be of help.

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/laf/

I put in "Metairie Manor" and it seems others are looking as well.

Posted by: State Street Pete | Sep 2, 2005 1:17:21 PM

thanks, everyone. All help is greatly appreciated. There is a woeful lack of communication. I'm climbing the walls here.

Posted by: Daniella | Sep 2, 2005 1:22:07 PM

Are money and water the only things that can be donated? I will gladly send cash but feel like many will need things like clothing and shoes and the basic toiletries. Is there any place to send such items?

Posted by: caris | Sep 2, 2005 1:44:33 PM

Yes, I have the same question....I can donate some clothing as well.

Posted by: Miss Martta | Sep 2, 2005 1:51:56 PM

Daniella: Go to the NY Times online (page one), click on "Photos and Videos" under the main story and then click "Rescue." There's a photo of a police officer from TX escorting a resident form a nursing facility in Metairie. So, I hope it's a little bit encouraging to know that they are at least there, trying to help.

Posted by: Miss Martta | Sep 2, 2005 2:29:33 PM

From what I've heard, money is the most efficient way to help. Haven't heard about any requests for anything other than money and water.

Posted by: Chris | Sep 2, 2005 2:36:06 PM

MONTCLAIR has a Red Cross chapter on Park St. Take a drive over there to see what they need. Make donations to REDCROSS.ORG--there's no need to contribute through anyone else-google or amazon. Don't give these companies the credit for donations. GO STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE. Give up the cost of one dinner out or the cost of a new pair of shoes. Do it! Give part of your check whenever you can-you don't have to give all at once. Keep giving. They'll need it for a long time. Redcross.org allows you to designate the 2005 Hurricane Relief. Give the cost of a pizza a week. Do all you can. Now, that said again-I would like to see or hear some evacuees (once fed, safe and with shelter)that they would like to help rebuild, clean up etc. The big thing in the cleanup is going to be manpower. Volunteering would show gratitude, I'm hoping we will see a lot of that once this awful situation is stabilized. People want to be taken care of, but they will need to give back! Anyone disagree?

Posted by: dj | Sep 2, 2005 3:33:20 PM

Daniella and other seeking information about family and loved ones in New Orleans area check out:

http://www.nola.com/

scroll down to section titled "Help Center"

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Posted by: Franklin | Sep 2, 2005 4:07:45 PM

The HomeLand Security webiste at:

http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/

has a link titled:

"Finding family, friends and information"

Posted by: Franklin | Sep 2, 2005 4:28:52 PM

This is a link to the Glen Ridge Congregational Church's website for disaster response:

http://www.glenridgecong.org/disaster_relief2.htm.

It will be updated as we know more....Thanks. The Rev. Joseph David Stinson and the Rev. Cynthia Reynolds

Posted by: David Stinson | Sep 3, 2005 8:45:17 AM

I was volunteering at Kelly USA in San Antonio on Friday, 9/2, and many of the Metairie Manor residents arrived there that afternoon. I believe they had been airlifted from Armstrong Airport earlier that day. Hopefully, you have found this out by now (9/6).

Posted by: Phil Audet | Sep 6, 2005 12:45:39 PM

Please see page 3A of San Antonio Express News for today 9/8. Notation made regarding Metairie Manor.

Posted by: f. bishop | Sep 8, 2005 12:35:13 PM

Hi,,, does ANYONE have info about Metairie Manor? Is it still livable? If so, when can the evacuees return? Just located our grandma ... she went on quite a journey. Was a Metairie Manor resident, went on a bus to a shelter, maybe Kelly USA...From there, she left on her taxi and stayed at a motel on her own.. then, taxi brought her to the airport back to Baton Rouge, La where she hooked up with the red cross and then they helped her get in touch with US.. What, what an adventure for GRANNY! Her name is Mercedes Knoll.

Posted by: kimmy | Sep 10, 2005 12:38:31 PM

http://www.metairiemanor.com/

Posted by: cindy | Sep 29, 2005 12:09:27 AM

We picked our mother up at Ochsner on Thurs after the storm. She had been at Metairie Manor. We drove from Cinn and brought her back here. from what we know they told us it would be another 5 weeks from now, oct 11 - before anyone would be allowed back. I think i have a phone number.

Posted by: CINDY | Oct 11, 2005 12:31:42 AM