PLEASE HELP

If you've been reading the papers or watching the news, you know that many, many victims of Hurricane Katrina desperately need help. Here's a link to the American Red Cross site where you can make a donation. Feel free to post other useful links in the comments, as well as any information you can offer to folks looking for a way to do something for the victims.

Update: You can also call the Red Cross at all 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Comments

[tropichunt.com guy™]

I'll be the FIRST to donate! :)

[Amanda]

The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (EARS), operated by United Animal Nations, will be helping the animals (kind of a Red Cross for animals). They've been doing animal rescue during disasters since 1987. The direct link for donations to their disaster relief efforts is
https://secure.ga3.org/01/UAN_disaster_relief

You can read about EARS at
http://www.uan.org/ears/

The work they do is amazing, and badly needed.

[judi]

salvation army is also a good place to donate for disaster relief:

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/

[judi]

they also have a place to help people locate missing loved ones.

http://www.satern.org/

[tropichunt.com guy™]

Let's put our money where our blog comments are. Let's see how much us Dave and Judi enthusiasts can give.

Sticking by my earlier comment above, I donated $100 to the Red Cross.

Thanks for the effort, Dave. We can't let these people go forgotten...this is worse than Andrew, and they're going to be impacted for years.

[Dave]

Thanks, TH Guy.

[MOTW]

Victims can request Federal assistance by calling 1-800-621 FEMA (3362)
(FEMA = Federal Emergency Management Agency)

[crossgirl]

i dropped a check in the mail to catholic charities usa. you can donate by credit card online.

[Dave]

You go, crossgirl.

[Amy]

I'm so proud that we've joined forces to try to make a difference.

Donated online; it's very easy.

[queensbee]

locally, the community action agency in LA is soliciting for donations... a national effort will be underway shortly.. but for those of you who remember the War on Poverty, Community Action Agencies are still around assisting the poor... there are over 1,000 in the country.. so you may have to consult a local phone book to find the one in your community [some of them are CAAs, some are called Economic Opportunity... agencies...] anyway, look those up, and there will be efforts made to get stuff to the people in the gulf.

[Kilmeny]

Other good ones are secondharvest.org, churchworldservice.org, Americares, and Convoy of Hope. Be sure that the charity you pick is legitimate. I've sent mine along to Catholic Charities.

[Suzy Q]

Donation made to Red Cross! :)

Hope you get your power thingy fixed soon, Dave.

[Cynthia B8s]

I work for a large corporation, and our Caring Hands committee is matching, dollar for dollar, all contributions made through them to the Red Cross. Before you donate, you might want to check with your employer to see if they are matching donations funds. You might as well donate twice as much, right?

[Amanda]

People are posting offers of housing for the hurricane victims on Craigslist:
http://neworleans.craigslist.com/roo/

You don't have to be in the South to help with this. The housing offers posted are all over the country, from California to New York.

A Craigslist posts said FEMA will take your information if you have housing to offer. However since they have a lot on their plate right now, and probably have to focus on survival for large groups rather than matching up individuals, FEMA should probably be considered a backup method of offering housing at this point. From the CL post:
"The Texas office is handling Louisiana:
940-898-5399
The Georgia office is handling Alabama, Mississippi & Florida:
770-220-5200"

So if you have a room/apartment/house/shack/whatever to share, post it on Craigslist and call FEMA.

[Dave]

You people are wonderful. Twisted, but wonderful. Thanks.

[tropichunt.com guy™]

Dave, I put an extra $1 on my FPL bill, earmarked for the 'Please-Restore-Dave-Barry's-Power-By-Pushing-The-Invisble-Dangling-Thing' fund. I hope it helps!

[queensbee]

i just got this group of #s from the national CAA organization coordinating with St. Mary's CAA in LA. here goes [some are repeats, i know]

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

. 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.

. Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348.

. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283.

. Salvation Army, 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

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

. United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583.

i'll have more info as soon as the national community action efforts finish getting coordinated... probably will be statewide bases. for now, FEMA is urging people to send cash, and not stuff. goods and items are really too difficult to ship now. perhaps later.

[Punkin Poo - Exeter, NH]

Hubby and I are regular supporters of the Red Cross. We give $50 per month (wish it could be more)...We are what is known as "softies"...when we saw a family on TV last month that had lost everything in a tornado, with their little girl hugging her teddy bear and her widdle chin was quivering, my hubby emailed ABC news, got the family's address and sent them a check. He (hubby) is a veterinarian, and has packed up medical supplies to send down to the south to help care for injured/lost animals.

I can't even IMAGINE the suffering going on. Picture you and your kids trapped in your dark, hot attic for 3 days with no food, water or radio to know if you'll EVER get rescued. Horrific.

Thank God for wonderful people like you all, bloglits!

[Theresa V.]

Donation made. My thoughts are with those affected (effected? Here I'm an English major and I have no idea...hooray for higher education!)

[crossgirl]

heres a one click resource. my love and his family are refugees right now. they are lucky to have personal resources. so many are not so blessed. he's heading for north carolina. can't imagine why he won't come stay with me in florida till hurricane season is over. he has nothing left to loose! *smiles weakly and writes out another check*

[slyeyes]

I wish I could donate a dollar for every tear I've shed for those poor people. But I've done what I can.

The suffering will be going on for awhile. I've made a pledge to myself (and set up reminders) to send a donation to the Red Cross every pay day.

[Grant]

I donated $100 to the Salvation Army at this site. They claim that will feed a family of four for two days. Who's feeding these people, Chef Emeril? In my college days I lilved on little more than onions and potatoes (and beer when the money was good). At least the military isn't handling disbursements. Five more donations like mine and one lucky family would get a toilet seat.

[Mrs. Bickerson]

I love this blog and the humor/joy you all provide here. This is a bright spot in a world that sometimes appears to be coming apart in more ways than one. Donation to the Red Cross: Check. Thank you for posting the donation links here.

[slyeyes]

A co-worker goes to school at St. Louis University. She said that the school is trying to get messages to students at Tulane and other universities in the area that SLU will make room for them here if they wish to transfer since the school year down there is probably not going to happen this year.

I wouldn' be surprised if other schools do the same. It's just getting the word out to those affected that is the tricky part.

[Floria]

Please donate to http://www.noahswish.org/. They are a wonderful organization that is helping in the effort to gather lost and stranded animals at time of disasters, such as this hurricaine.

[scatillogical]

I just made a donation to the American Red Cross. I probably won't be able to afford gas for a month but it's worth it.

I donated as a tribute to a late relative (father's cousin, whatever that makes her), named Katerine Clark. She worked her entire career as a Red Cross field worker, actually handing out food, cleaning mud out of houses and wiping tears off faces.

The ARC website is slow, hopefully due to the number of donators. Please join them and be patient.

[kathy]

the red cross website has a page on donating spare change:
http://www.redcross.org/donate/donatechange.html

i'm pretty sure this isn't the only household with a few pounds of change lying around. and this is a way for absolutely everyone to be involved -- those of heavy pockets and purses to those with piggybanks. it would be great if schools and offices set up jars -- 'cause it does add up....

[scaremongering]

ARC donation made. I went through Ivan last September. It was an awful experience, but I doubt it was as bad as the people in LA/MS have it right now.

[Christobol]

Great tip Cynthia B8s. Everyone who works for a big company should check with them.

EDS is matching donations for Tsunami and Hurricane releif (employee can designate where they want their donation to go).

[Eleanor]

*zips in*

I can't even get into the Red Cross site right now, probably because so many DB blogits are there, but I'll keep trying!

Thanks, Dave and judi!

[Mad Scientist]

My donation is coming tomorrow on payday.
I hope that all the fears about infectious disease in the coming weeks don't occur. I'll be contacting my friends at the CDC to see what help they need in the coming days.

Stay safe everyone and may the flood waters recede quickly.

[Blair Keel]

Here in Houston they have organized something called StormAid, which is funneled through the redcross.org previously posted. I've been keeping an eye on the www.stormaid.com website however to see if they start a food or clothing donation drive here in Houston since they are moving so many people from LA here to the AstroDome. I will post if I hear anything for any local readers.

As for anyone from Louisiana or Mississippi that is seeking refuge here in Houston and is in an internet capable hotel room reading this blog, Welcome to Houston! Please make yourselves at home. We just wish it was under better circumstances! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

[insomniac]

I donated blood online, now the tech support people won't come to my office.

[Eleanor]

Hooray!

I got into the Red Cross web site and made a donation!!!

[Aunt Nancy]

International Disaster Emergency Service, IDES, is a charity that channels relief through churches located in devastated areas. If you can't get through to the "big" charities, please consider donating to IDES. They're a charity that our church sponsors, and that's where our donation went.

[Jillywilly]

Okay, bloglets... I'll see your $100, and raise you a monstrous mug of quarters, Chuck E Cheese tokens and random dryer lint!

The TVs at the Y are all tuned to CNN, and there's nothing like weeping on a treadmill to get your day going with a bang, I always say. Many, many hugs and prayers to you from Iowa.

[elle]

Donation (and prayers!) made.

[davette]

crossgirl- Your link was great. I made my contribution to the Red Cross. I too, may not be able to afford gasoline but these people need help more than me. Nashville was very lucky.

The Red Cross is always in need of blood also, for those of you who can. I am proud to be an eight gallon donor and still counting.

[crossgirl]

insom: thanks for the snork. i needed that!

[MOTW]

I am a regular blood donor (in person, *wink*) and plan to give this Friday.

[Mike "Mad's Dork" Weasel]

Scat, gas for a month? Wow, you must have donated big! I'll check to see if my job is doing donation things. I know there's a collection site at Dodger Stadium for the Red Cross.

[davette]

Good for you MOTW. There (not their) aren't many of us.

[Jules]

Yup, I was at the Catholic Charities website yesterday and I'll be back again on payday. They have a good reputation for long-term work. I just can't even imagine how some of these people can get back on their feet. The pictures just look mind-blowingly bad.

[Aunt Nancy]

I envy anyone who gives blood. I can't because of the stupid, lousy meds I take, so I guess I'll have to make up for it elsewhere. If I can't stick out my arm, I can stick out my checkbook, right?

[davette]

Absolulety Aunt Nancy.

[davette]

I think i meant absolutely.

[Eleanor]

On Studio B, Fox's noon (PDT) news show, anchor Shepard Smith (who's a hottie, but I digress) is and has been standing on I-10 all day where hundreds of people are standing in the oppressive heat with infants, small children, etc. (these people are from the nearby projects) and they have no food or water and no one to tell them what to do or where to go for help. Shep talked to a State Police Captain who kept insisting there were buses and food and water at designated locations and Shep kept asking her (really nicely and not confrontational at all), if some official could be sent to this overpass and tell these stranded people where to go - and she just kept giving the same answer.

We saw police cars and a National Guard truck drive right through this sea of people and not stop...

Shep said he was trying to draw attention to their plight by using the media....

They don't have any water!!!

Dave, do you have any connections through The Herald that could do something?

This is so sad, and Fox is the only media outlet there...

[Gail]

I made my donations to the Red Cross and Episcopal Relief and Development, I just wish that there was something more hands on that I could do from Massachusetts...

Keep the good thoughs and prayers coming everybody, they have to be good for something.

[pogo]

OK, I'm down for a C-Note.

Now we can load up in the Geezer bus with chain saws, shovels, rakes, mops and implements of mass destruction (and beer) and head down to Gnarlins and see where we can help without getting in the way of the serious responders.

[Aunt Nancy]

RE: Hands on help...

Go to Freecycle and see if there's a group in your area. Where I live, a family came in from Pearl River, LA and their friends posted "want" ads in their behalf. You have to join the group to see the messages, but it doesn't cost anything. There may be hurricane refugees that came to your area that need help.

[scatillogical]

M. Weasel, I gave generously to the ARC but whoo-wee, I wasn't exaggerating! Chicago's gas prices are high and I own a car that's (1) WAY too cool for me and (2) takes PREMIUM gas and (3) gets only fair mileage.

Yesterday I filled my tank. My car guzzled about 21 gallons at $3.34/gal. Even without the Little Tree brand air freshener I spent about $75.00!

With two kids even I don't want to take the school bus plus activities, errands and such, I go through a tank a week - or more.

That Toyota hybrid's looking really good right now.

[YaWellNoFine]

Well, bloggers, the Red Cross site won't load, and I have DSL! I hope it is soooo many people making donations for the people on the Gulf coast. I was able to make a $100 donation to Animal Nation E.A.R.S. to help the animals. I'll get to the Red Cross in the early morning.

My heart goes out to everyone there. I lost my house in the Shenandoah River flood of '85, and that was only a "tropical storm"...well, having the house under 28 ft. of water for a week, loosing nearly everything, no where to live, don't know what to do...

Dave and Judi -- THANKS! For posting all the sites where one can send money. I'm looking for sites where I can help more...I have room for dogs, and people, even though I am in Virginia..

Not funny, I know. It's hard to be funny...

[Angie]

For anyone who wants to pitch in time and help, I've done flood relief with the above mentioned United Methodist Committee on Relief- www.umcor.org . They do things like helping families clear out the materials from the homes that are toxic, rebuilding, distributing food and water, etc.

You don't have to be talented or specialized to help out. And they are going to need a LOT of volunteers

[cyn]

A standing ovation for the wonderful, generous Dave bloggers! Bless You ALL!

And folks, please remember that this surreal amount of devastation is going to take a while to overcome. Please keep those big hearts open and giving. Many have lost the family breadwinner or the stay at home Mom, as well as their homes, cars, and personal belongings. They are going to need ongoing supplies and support to come even close to recovery.

We have all experienced the misery of days or weeks without electricity and familiar comforts. Imagine being refugees in our own United States.
Heartbreaking.

[amy in LA]

I donated to Habitat for Humanity -- they have a fund to help people rebuild post-hurricane damage. After reading an interview with a woman who is still living in a FEMA camp (until the end of 2005) since her house was destroyed in last year's hurricanes, I felt that it might not be a bad idea to look to the rebuilding -- and US Gov't subsidies often don't help the poorest people -- those who may have lost the most.

www.habitat.org

[amy in LA]

dammit:

Habitat for Humanity!

[Sondra]

I'll be donating directly to my Aunt Eula. A year ago, her condo burned to the ground. She and her hubby had the clothes on their back and their car. Period. We have word that they left their new condo just before the hurricane completely demolished it (the foundation is still there, barely) and headed north. We don't know how far the went to find an available room. I'll be sending money once a month until they tell me to stop. Aunt Eula and hubby are both 85.

[Sondra]

In the meantime, this ought to bring a smile to somebody's face.
link

http://sam.zoy.org/fun/porn/cute_underage_chick_with_hairy_pussy.jpeg

[brick]

Consider giving to Southern Baptist disaster relief at http://www.namb.net. Southern Baptists are the 3rd largest disaster relief org in the U.S. and work closely with the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Foodwise, if the Red Cross or Salvation Army are serving up meals, a Southern Baptist disaster relief mobile kitchen cooked it up. Donations will get those kitchens there, and keep them running, along with other equipment to help in the recovery.

[brick]

Consider giving to Southern Baptist disaster relief at http://www.namb.net. Southern Baptists are the 3rd largest disaster relief org in the U.S. and work closely with the Red Cross and Salvation Army. Foodwise, if the Red Cross or Salvation Army are serving up meals, a Southern Baptist disaster relief mobile kitchen probably cooked it up. Donations will get those kitchens there, and keep them running, along with other equipment to help in the recovery.

[Rachel]

United Jewish Communities has also set up a Hurricane Katrina relief fund. You can donate on that site or through your local Jewish federation.

The Humane Society of the United States and the North Shore Animal League are also working to help rescue animals in the affected areas, and could also use donations.

[azred]

I put a C note on my credit card to the red cross (online donation is really easy) cause payday isn't til tomorrow and all that money is spent on vet bill, car repair bill, motorcycle repair bill, doctor bill..... BLEAH. it don't rain water here in sunny arizona, it rains bills. thanking God every day for my blessings and praying for the katrina victims. ps - dave - we need your blog - it's a 10 minute bit of sanity in my day. oh look, something shiny..

[gooberette/goobie/goober]

I just donated to the North Shore Animal League America and to the Red Cross. I live off a disability check but I consider myself extremely lucky. I still have a roof over my head, my family is ok, our fridge is full, water is available to drink and there isn't water where I don't want it to be. There is information on the North Shore website about the action they're taking to help the animals suffering from the wrath of Katrina. As Tiny Tim (not the ukulele playing one) said, "God Bless Us Everyone."

[Tramp]

I'm in a C note. It's only right. And Dave, gasoline IS a carcinogen!

[Graz]

I've donated and there's another idea for those that work in an business dress type setting.

We have gotten permission to set up a "jeans day" this Friday. Those employees that wear jeans are to donate at least 5 dollars each. This money is going to be sent to the Red Cross for disaster relief. With over 200 salaried employees at our plant that are required to wear business dress daily, this should add up to some serious money. We are also trying to get the other plants and locations to join in.

[Vampire Librarian]

I don't know how widely known this is yet, but Virginia residents who are students in New Orleans are being allowed to enroll as visiting students at the University of Virginia or a community college close to home. So that they may continue their studies. They're ready to enroll students now.

The only article I could find on this though is at:
http://www.nbc29.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=1785&z=11

UVA will probably have something up at their website in the next day or two. http://www.virginia.edu

[Guin]

I posted on Craigs List that I could give a foster home to a dog. I don't have room for a person, but I could help someone who needs a temporary home for their pet. :(

[MOTW]

I heard on the radio last night that Dallas Baptist University is taking accepting Katrina displaced students, and SMU is taking college students enrolled in athltics. Could not find an article in the paper, sorry.

[daisyj]

If, like me, you want to give money but you're too lazy to enter your credit card at another site, Amazon has a handy 'Donate to the Red Cross' link in the upper right corner of their homepage. Also might be handy for those times when the Red Cross site is overwhelmed.

[MOTW]

Amateur Ham Radio site to help contact loved ones. (http://www.qrz.com)

[Ruth]

Um, here's a donation site I don't think anyone's mentioned:

http://www.manilowfund.com/

[Leslie]

I send money every month to Mercy Corps, which is primarily an overseas aid organization, but they partner with Episcopal Relief and Development to supply aid for local American disaster needs.

[Leslie]

I send money every month to Mercy Corps, which is primarily an overseas aid organization, but they partner with Episcopal Relief and Development to supply aid for local American disaster needs. I like Mercy Corps because of its extremely efficient use of donations -- a full 92% of donations go straight to the intended programs with only 8% administrative overhead.

[Susan Reynolds]

I was having an interchange with Alyson @ http://www.artbizblog.com about fundraising & it seems like many artists feel that we can raise more money for any cause through sale of art than we'd ever be able to donate.

I know that I raised more than I could have given out of our pocket for Alex's lemonade & the Susan Torres fund, and a number of artists are doing our bit for this heartbreaking cause as well.

Info about my particular offering the print "Gifts from the Earth", with 100 percent of the profit being donated for Gulf Coast Relief, is at http://ephemeria.blogspot.com

It's not much, but it's what I can do from a studio in Virginia and I believe that every dollar counts in a case like this.

[Lmd33]

Done yesterday. Please everyone give, no matter how little.

[Lee]

Sad to say, the vultures (and weasels) should be swooping in any minute now. Just a warning to please check out who you give your money to. The Red Cross has already posted guidelines on their website so you can tell the legit efforts from the should be shot on sight scam artists.

Here's a good one-stop-shop for checking out donation and volunteer opportunities.

And please remember the victims will need help for a very long time to come. So your donations will be just as important in the months to come. Especially for the children who will need so much help to recover and regain a sense of security in their lives.

God Bless all of you who are so willing to help.

Lee

[jackie]

I own a trucking company in Chesapeake, Virginia and we need truck drivers with CDL's Class A & B. I'm sure there are a lot of displaced truck drivers that need a job. Has anyone heard of a way to find people needing to start over and looking for a job. Our company name is Aggregate Transportation, we are located in Chesapeake, Virginia. If anyone needs a job as a truck driver give us a call, 800-294-7191.

[james miller]

i enjoyed your site so much so i have to say it to you. all the artist knew one another: http://www.joebridge.com/blog/index.php?p=31 , fantastic blog

[kyle campbell]

it's a very nice website you're having here. all the artist knew one another: http://www.joebridge.com/blog/index.php?p=31 , fantastic blog

[DONALD PAGE]

DONATION'S NEEDED: FOR ME & MY 2 DOG BADLY!!.

I HAVE 2 DOGS & I, AM, HAVING A HARD TIME WITH MONEY TO FEED MY 2 DOGS BECAUSE I, AM, ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY DO TO HEALTH PROBLEM'S.
EVERY MONTH I ONLY GET 1 DISABILITY CHECK & AFTER I PAY MY RENT, ELECTRIC, GAS, PHONE & DOG PILLS & MY 8 PILLS THAT I TAKE DAILY FOR THE HEALTH PROBLEM'S I NEVER HAVE ANY MONEY LEFT OVER FOR FOOD FOR MY 2 DOGS & ME. PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP & OR SPREAD THIS MESSAGE AROUND SO I CAN GET HELP!!!.
I DON'T HAVE A CAR TO GET AROUND & I DON'T GET OUT MUCH DO TO MY HEALTH PROBLEM'S.
I WILL BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SEND ME ANY AMOUNT OF DOG FOOD DRY OR WET FOR MY 2 DOGS & FOOD FOR ME.
MY HOME ADDRESS:
DONALD PAGE
22 JOHN STREET APT. 5
HAVERHILL, MA. 01830 USA
PHONE NUMBER'S: 978-270-0238 / 978-372-8678
EMAILADDRESS:
[email protected]

[heart strings]

i felt bad for this family. so i did a simple search for the email address. he posts the same thing elsewhere but replaces kids with dogs. 2 phone numbers means he must have some sort of extra money. please be careful!

Description:
I HAVE 2 DOGS & I, AM, HAVING A HARD TIME WITH MONEY TO FEED MY 2 DOGS BECAUSE I, AM, ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY TO TO HEALTH PROBLEM'S.
EVERY MONTH I ONLY GET 1 DISABILITY CHECK & AFTER I PAY MY RENT, ELECTRIC, GAS, PHONE & DOG PILLS & MY 8 PILLS THAT I TAKE DAILY FOR THE HEALTH PROBLEM'S I NEVER HAVE ANY MONEY LEFT OVER FOR FOOD FOR MY 2 DOGS & ME. PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP & OR SPREAD THIS MESSAGE AROUND SO I CAN GET HELP!!!.
I DON'T CARE ABOUT ME, I ONLY CARE ABOUT MY 2 DOGS & TO KEEP THEM HAPPY, HEALTHY & FED AT ALL TIMES.
I WILL BE VERY GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD SEND ME ANY AMOUNT OF DOG FOOD DRY OR WET FOR MY 2 DOGS.
MY HOME ADDRESS:
DONALD PAGE
22 JOHN STREET APT. 5
HAVERHILL, MA. 01830 USA
PHONE NUMBER: 978-270-0238
EMAILADDRESS:
[email protected]

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