Mod's

[RU4REAL]

If possiable, could you fix a *sticky* or link where people can come togather and make plans to cargo trucks to NO, Alamaba and Miss.
I challange ALL the people on this forum to start collecting, contack your local National guard or city/town/state council to find someone to drive a truck, plane, to area's affected by katrina, I plan to start today...

Good luck to you all and lets get busy, you'd be suprized at how generous people will be, I even got tooth brushes from a pediatric dentist to send, lets get busy.

[BocaGirl]

I challange ALL the people on this forum to start collecting, contack your local National guard or city/town/state council to find someone to drive a truck, plane, to area's affected by katrina, I plan to start today...

At the risk of sounding like a heavy here, I urge everyone to resist the urge to go down to the areas affected by Katrina, unless you have the backing of a sanctioned group like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, church or other religious group, etc. I know after Andrew that well-meaning citizens sometimes got in the way and the stuff they brought down never reached their intended recipients.

Collect, yes. Solicit donations, yes. But please, don't go unless you're "cleared for takeoff".

BocaGirl
Barbara

[ncbird]

I would also like to mention that Lowes (and no I don't work for them or anything like that) has said they will match donations up to a total of 1 million. If you want to help with a donation and have a local Lowes, take advantage of this and double your donation.

[inotherwords]

In situations like this, people are always urged to send money and not "stuff." At this point there is no way to get the "stuff" to anyone, no centralized means of distribution or anything else like that.

At the risk of angering some, I'd say don't encourage truckloads of "stuff" at this time, SEND MONEY. They can do a lot more with money at this point. Contribute to the red cross today and mark the funds speicifically "Katrina relief."

And maybe if you're close by "adopt" a family for a while. That's what I would do if I was closer.

ncbird's Lowe's idea is a good one. I plan to go down there later today.

[Downdraft]

Please folks don't start food and clothing drives. After Andrew piles of clothes and food rotted on the sidewalks because there isn't an effective distribution system in place to get it to those that need it. Give money or time to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. Don't go to the affected areas you'll be considered part of the problem not the solution by emergency workers.

[bvigal]

Ditto, ditto, ditto and amen to all replies here! The desire to help is admirable, wonderful, you are a great person!! But please, read the information on this page about exactly how in-kind donations sometimes hamper relief efforts, rather than help.

http://www.redcross.org/donate/goods/

[RU4REAL]

I agree whole heartley...guess I should be clearer, I was letting my own memories flood in from where my own family was floating around after floyd, I would suggest if you are able to donate to contact the American red cross, or any other reputable org.

We collected items such as cleaning supplies, personal things, deoderant,waterless soap, diapers, diaper wipes, bleach, trash bags, ect,...then we gave all of our collections to the VFW they took things to people in WV when it flooded from heavy rains about 1 yr ago, and some people waited for about 4 wks and they took collections of school supplies.

[therealashe]

Red Cross 1 800 HELP NOW