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We suffered the last August 25 a direct hit by Hurricane Katrina. We lost the electricity for 48 hours. Others here in South Florida still not have electricity and still fixing damages to their houses and businesses. But nothing compare to what is happening to people in New Orleans and other cities around that area. We are talking about hundreds of thousands people that have lost their homes and Jobs. Still unknown the number of deads.
The Red Cross has opened a Hurricane Relief Fund and is asking for help. Please, consider to donate what ever you can. Just think that people in that area have lost everything and every dollar that we donate could help them with water, food and other goods.
Here is the link www.redcross.org ... Please be generous
Frank J. Garcia
Maker of Tweaks2K2
Quote:
Dear Frank J,
Thank you for your generous gift to the American Red Cross 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund. This fund makes it possible for the Red Cross to help nationwide Hurricane disaster victims of 2005 with critical needs such as shelter, food, clothing, counseling and other assistance. It's because of the 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund that our response can be immediate regardless of its location or the community’s ability to financially support our efforts.
Your generous support means the most to the families who rely on Red Cross to help them through some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Please continue to visit us at http://www.redcross.org/ to see how we’re using your 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund donation to make a difference, and for the most current disaster updates and stories about the people being helped.
Together, we can save a life.
American Red Cross
Great idea Frank...
Just a warning to folks: just like with 9/11 and the Tsunami, there will be tons of people fundraising for the victims of this disaster. Please be cautious if you receive a phone call...never give your credit card or bank info to someone over the phone, and be alert for phishing scams using the disaster as a ploy. It's a sad world out there that there are people who will capitalize on other people's suffering, but unfortunately true.
Your church (if you are so affiliated) will likely be accepting donations, as will REPUTABLE organizations, like the Red Cross. I agree with Frank, please be as generous as you can.
Something else to consider: There are many more people from the New Orleans area that are going to be without homes for an extended period of time. (Today's estimate was nearly 4 months!) Many of these people are moving over to Texas, into another sports stadium, but that can't be a long term solution. If you are affiliated with a church or other "trustworthy" organization, (Union, Fraternity, Elks, etc.) you may want to see if they have a "branch" in that area that is looking to find temporary housing in other locations. You can then discuss the possibility of sponsoring a family or displaced person until they are able to return to their home, rather than having to live in a tent city, dorm ship or other shelter.
Also, if you are a person that collects hotel rewards points or airline miles, you can contact your member center to see if you can donate your rewards points for travel to a safer location or hotel stay for the victims. Some credit card companies that also offer rewards may be able to do this as well, and there is no "out of pocket" expense to donating points. (I don't think it is tax deductable tho.)
Yep, good point. The Attorney General stated today in the new conference that we must go through reputable organizations and the Red Cross is definitely the way to go. What a shame there are people out there taking advantage of other's suffering.
Also, just a FYI to those who are Catholic. The American Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated a second collection at all Masses this week and local Bishops have issued statements confirming this effort. So if you are Catholic, you will have an opportunity to make a difference at Mass. All money will be sent directly to Catholic Charities USA. Their offices in areas effected by Katrina have obviously been effected. Catholic Charities has always been a key player in disaster relief around the globe. Most recently the Sunomi effort.
If you would rather donate directly, they have a website here with the Federal ID in which you can send your cash donation. http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm
I wish I had more details on the specific fund to post, but we gave to the United Way's fund set up for the New Orleans disaster.
As a side note, what is everyone's thoughts on the response time of FEMA and government? The mayor having to plead for support? It's disturbing to say the least...
An update from the ground here in southeast texas.
Texas is taking in an additional 50,000 people, half are going to Dallas and half to San Antonio.
The Astrodome in Houston is at capacity (maybe even above) and they are now taking the over flow to Reliant Stadium and other smaller centers in the area.
The best donations according to the information I'm getting from some of the refugee centers is either manpower or money (as opposed to donation of supplies like toys). The reason obviously is that manpower and cash is more versatile in its usage.
We've got over 1500 people here in Beaumont, and they're now getting their kids enrolled in the local schools. Many of the families are getting help from the Texas Workforce Commission to get jobs for them in the area. I also think they are doing the same in Houston with the 25,000+ that are over there.
As a side note, what is everyone's thoughts on the response time of FEMA and government? The mayor having to plead for support? It's disturbing to say the least...
I think it speaks volumes about the state of our federal government. In my opinion, their response to this disaster has exposed a criminal lack of leadership and accountability.
It angers me to see what's going on down there. The government can flub up with their little war game in the Middle East, but for us to have a refugee crisis in the United States is unforgivable.
For little kids to have to see dead, rotting, bloated bodies that are just lying in the street, or in the parking lot of the Superdome, well that's just fu**ing unacceptable.
For tens of thousands to go where they've been INSTRUCTED to go by their government, and then not have any WATER for days is NOT acceptable.
For the federal government to deploy some Navy ships, ON TUESDAY, is not acceptable. They KNEW this was coming, and they THOUGHT it was going to be worse than it actually was, so why weren't these ships, and floating hospitals deployed FRIDAY? Many have died, and many more WILL die as a result of this delay.
How many times must we see the damned incompetence before we get fed up?
How many times must the federal government FAIL to do the NUMBER ONE thing it was formed to do?
They didn't protect Americans on 9/11.
They didn't protect the lives of thousands in the South who are starving and dying.
They aren't protecting us from terrorists flooding over (or under) our own borders.
I feel like the Bobs on Office Space when they ask "What would you say. . . you do here?". I mean what ARE they doing? I'm not an anti-war zealot or anything, and in fact I'm about as far from liberal as one can get, but it's not acceptable that farking IRAQIS are more protected than Americans.
The only true heroes so far have been the media. CNN is covering this like nothing I've ever seen. Anderson Cooper is out there showing the rest of us how much the Ministry of Love is actually doing, which is nil. I never liked CNN before, but I think I might have to switch over from FNC, who insists on trying to cover this disaster from a political angle.
I could ramble on for hours, but you get the point. It's unacceptable to rape hard working citizens for 40-50%++ in TAXES, and then not take care of Americans in need.
We spent $13 BILLION damned dollars in HAITI, and the levee improvements that would have provented this mass death were voted down at a cost of $14 Billion.
I wish I had more details on the specific fund to post, but we gave to the United Way's fund set up for the New Orleans disaster.
As a side note, what is everyone's thoughts on the response time of FEMA and government? The mayor having to plead for support? It's disturbing to say the least...
It is disturbing. Absolutely. As fox reported this morning, the administration is having a difficult time showing us that they are connected to what is happening. Israel and Australia offering assistance of money and medical personnel.
I want to offer a point for discussion on this. What good will the criticism do right now? And I don't mean any disrespect to those who have offered criticism. You make some great points.
But being down here and seeing these refugees first hand brings one thing to mind, if you think you can do something to help then do it. Criticism both practical and political (as others in the national media have done) is not doing these people one bit of good right now. They need help, not words. They need a way to get back up on their feet. The people that are victims in this are not waiting around for the government or charity organizations to come save them. They're rebuilding their lives now! They're working to get out of that city now! There were two new orleans school buses that stopped here yesterday to get fuel. The two drivers had hotwired those buses to get them and some 60+ people out of there because they knew that they shouldn't just wait around for someone else to do it. They weren't complaining about a lack of government aid, they simply got the job done. And I think that after they dropped the people off in Houston they went right back for more. Those two drivers know whats going, and are working to get the job done and help people.
The question that should be asked when everyone is safe: "What went wrong, and why?"
The question that should be asked now while there are still people in danger: "What can I do to help?"
Just my two cents on this.
I want to offer a point for discussion on this. What good will the criticism do right now? And I don't mean any disrespect to those who have offered criticism. You make some great points.
But being down here and seeing these refugees first hand brings one thing to mind, if you think you can do something to help then do it. Criticism both practical and political (as others in the national media have done) is not doing these people one bit of good right now. They need help, not words. They need a way to get back up on their feet. The people that are victims in this are not waiting around for the government or charity organizations to come save them. They're rebuilding their lives now! They're working to get out of that city now! There were two new orleans school buses that stopped here yesterday to get fuel. The two drivers had hotwired those buses to get them and some 60+ people out of there because they knew that they shouldn't just wait around for someone else to do it. They weren't complaining about a lack of government aid, they simply got the job done. And I think that after they dropped the people off in Houston they went right back for more. Those two drivers know whats going, and are working to get the job done and help people.
The question that should be asked when everyone is safe: "What went wrong, and why?"
The question that should be asked now while there are still people in danger: "What can I do to help?"
Just my two cents on this.
Can you give us lay people some ideas of some other concrete ways we can help. I know I talked with my sister-in-law who lives in my home town of St. Louis, MO and works for a school district there. She said they took in 7 kids from LA yesterday. I talked to my husband, and we are wondering what else we can do in addition to prayer and monetary sacrifice.
The question that should be asked when everyone is safe: "What went wrong, and why?"
The question that should be asked now while there are still people in danger: "What can I do to help?"
Just my two cents on this.
Well said. I'm just concerned about those people who cannot help themselves, and who cannot get out. I mean seriously, if I was in the same situation as most in that convention center, I'd be shooting at trucks carrying supplies too. That's just what you have to do.
hezahonker and others who want to help,
One way that anybody can do is to donate cash to people like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. You can find links to the web sites of the appropriate region on this news post that I did a day or two ago here: http://www.pocketpcaddict.com/module...ticle&sid=1835
Just make sure you are dealing with a reputable charity.
Some of the non-cash donations that are starting to be called for is baby formula. If you happen to have access to some see what you can do to get it to a refugee center.
for those whow are geographically close to either the affected area or refugee centers, go volunteer. Go help with handing out supplies to the refugees.
If you have some kind of specialty that you think could be even remotely useful, go offer it to the Red Cross officials they'll be able to tell you if they can use that expertise. For example, I'm working on setting up an internet based system to get messages from the victems out to their families. Even if you don't have any kind of specialty go voluteer when you get the chance, general manpower is always useful in situations like this.
Also, many of these people are now without jobs since the companies they worked for are under water. So if you are some business you know have a job opening go down there. There are all sorts of people there looking for all sorts of jobs. I just heard on the radio an interview with man who worked in a private medical practice that is now gone. I also heard another interview with a man who was a truck driver. So the whole spectrum whether blue or white collar jobs is covered here.
There are also people in hotels that are running out of money to pay the hotel bill, so they as well as the people in the refugee centers are looking for better shelter.
Basically, if you have something that you think you can offer even if its just a remote possibility whether its cash, goods, skills, muscle, or just your presence go offer it.
My kids just came home and their Catholic School is hosting a bake sale to raise funds.
Also, they are busy downstairs preparing a sign to go sell Kool Aid at the curb for the Red Cross this weekend. If you see five kids ages 15 to 6 out selling Kool Aid, stop on by! Kids are amazing.
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