If you have info on local groups that are collecting -- and can vouch for them not being opportunistic greedheads -- please post 'em here.
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Are we doing a Hatrack organized donation like we did for the Tsunami? Or is it everyone donating on their own? (or is anyone donating at all?)
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I'm going to donate through the Humanitarian Relief fund of the Church and donate blood to the Red Cross if they'll take my blood this time (I'm sometimes too anemic.) But thanks for posting that, Chris.
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Can't donate blood anymore -- last couple times I had high levels of something or other. But cash always works...
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The United Methodist Committee on Relief Depot, where disaster relief supplies are sorted and stored to be shipped as needed all over the world is located about 50 miles NW of New Orleans.
One of the things that UM churches do every year is assemble and send "flood buckets," 5 gallon buckets filled with cleaning supplies to help families re-claim their homes. There are instuctions for assembling and shipping flood buckets on the site Chris linked to (third on the list, then click "flood buckets" at the top of the page). Or, if you donate $$, because all of the administrative expenses and overhead are paid by the church through an annual special offering, 100% of the money goes directly to relief efforts.
(I'm sure the other agencies are good too, but UMCOR I can vouch for personally.)
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My nephew, who is in Marine Reserves, just got activated -- to go help with hurricane cleanup and relief. I hope to hear more about the area from him after he gets there...
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There is the one that ships medical supplies, too, out of Connecticut, but I do not remember the name.
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Thanks for the list. Does the Red Cross need extra blood right now? Or is it just money that they need?
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If people are interested in doing an Hatrack group donation to the American Red Cross to Aid Katrina victims, I'd be happy to organize it like I did with the Tsunami donation and the first book donations.
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I'm already scheduled to give blood tomorrow (and actually had been prior to the hurricane), and I'll be shopping this weekend for supplies to send down.
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If you want to help the animals It may be better to go here . I tried the other link at the beginning of this thread and didn't really see where to donate.
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I know this is long, but it's got information on several different places where you can send help, and I will vouch for this information as it comes directly from the PCA (Presbyterian Church of America)
Editor's note: As we prepare these reports, please realize that communication out of and into the hardest hit areas has been difficult. Sometime we have received conflicting reports about PCA ministers, members and churches. We make attempts to check reports before posting them; we will make corrections as quickly as possible in future updates.
Reports as of Sept. 1, 2005:
Reports about PCA minister Mo Leverett, Director of Desire Street Ministries (which includes a church as well as a housing project): the buildings are completely under water and one of the hardest hit areas in New Orleans. Mo and his family are safe, are in the Atlanta area, but they have likely lost everything they own, and the ministry of Desire Street will have lost everything it owns as well. Go to the Desire Street site for updates: http://www.desirestreet.org/hurricane.php.
Hurricane Relief – Meeting Immediate Needs in Louisiana
We are presently working with other churches in town to provide relief for refugees from Katrina. If you want to help, we need pillows, towels, sheets, books, non-perishable foods, bottled water, clothes, diapers, toiletries. You can ship these goods to our church. If you want to make a monetary contribution, make checks payable to "Acadiana Presbyterian Church" with the memo "Katrina". Mail the check to Acadiana Presbyterian Church, 1515 W. University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70506. From Rev. Stan Pace, pastor of Acadiana Presbyterian Church, PCA, in Lafayette, La.
First Presbyterian in Gulfport, Miss.
The First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport. Located immediate across the street from the Gulf on U.S. 90. Its building is still standing, but everything (even those pieces of furniture bolted to the ground) inside is gone; this includes the pews, pulpit and organ – nothing is left on the first level and most of the second level is empty. It is just a building with four walls.
Adopt a Displaced PCA Family?
A number of PCA members have e-mailed us with the suggestion that PCA churches and members consider "adopting" PCA members displaced because of Hurricane Katrina. There is some discussion of this adoption program, but it will require setting up an administrative process to put it into place. Until a firm plan is put together, pray about and evaluate your circumstances and be prepared to assist this way if the way be clear.
From Roger Collins, Stated Clerk of Mississippi Valley Presbytery
September 1, 2005
As you may know, things South of MS Valley Presbytery are horrific. In central Mississippi we still do not have electricity in many homes and churches. Hence limited internet access as well. Much damage from the Katrina (which was level one when it hit the Jackson area) and from falling trees.
We are working with Disaster Relief of MNA (Ron and Judy Haynes, e-mail RHaynes@pcanet.org) to begin to set up a PCA response team. MS Valley has a Disaster Relief Team headed up by TE Tim Muse of Brandon Presbyterian Church. We plan to seek to facilitate under Ron's leadership a response center where we can reach out to our churches and PCA folk within Grace Presbytery and in the New Orleans area with hands on help and aid.
I understand the biggest need is money which may be sent to MNA for disaster relief ( 1700 N. Brown Rd., #101, Lawrenceville, GA 30343) or the Mississippi Valley Presbytery (c/o Rod Russ, 1501 Mossline Drive, Ridgeland, MS 39211-2826). Either place, donations will go entirely to the relief work itself. Ron hopes to coordinate teams as soon as that becomes feasible with a station operating out of Hattiesburg if possible. To read more of the summit meeting to organize disaster response, go to http://byfaithonline.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID323422|CHID664014|CIID2083434,00.html.
Idea of a Hurricane Relief Project Where You Live
Here is what Parkview PCA in Lilburn, Ga., is doing to minister to the "refugees" from the hurricane ravaged areas in the Atlanta area; this letter was sent to the congregation:
Thousands of people along the Gulf Coast are in desperate circumstances as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Teams of workers and volunteers are being mobilized to assist in meeting the overwhelming needs. As a church we want to band together and quickly respond by providing essential-to-life things. We are exploring opportunities to send teams to the affected area. If you are interested in going, please let the pastor know.
The Lilburn Co-op, as a link of the Red Cross, is serving displaced families who have evacuated to local hotels. As our backyard mission Parkview would like to provide kits filled with basic items for these families. We suggest you invite your neighbors to join with you in gathering items for the kits. This would be a great opportunity to get your whole family involved in going door-to-door in your neighborhood to collect much needed supplies. Bring all items to Room 125 this Sunday morning at 9:30. In lieu of Sunday school you can pack your kit ready to be delivered to Lilburn Co-op and local hotels. This will meet some of the incredible needs of the refugees here in the Atlanta area and will give those of us who are anxious to help - a way to do something!
If you are interested in housing a refugee family in your home, please call the church office.
Try to imagine your family in a hotel; what would you need? Games, books, small toys for the children? Magazines, books for parents? Include any items in your kit that you would want for your family.
Here are items needed for the kits:
FAMILY KIT
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Canned sandwich meat – pop top
Canned fruit – pop top
Paper napkins
Water bottles
Personal items: shampoo,
toothbrushes, toothpaste,
deodorant, etc.
FAMILY KIT - WITH INFANTS
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Canned sandwich meat – pop top
Canned fruit – pop top
Paper napkins
Water bottles
Personal items: shampoo,
toothbrushes, toothpaste,
deodorant, etc.
Baby food, formula, diapers,
wipes
Here is a link to the PCA's Mission to North America which is coordinating the relief efforts of the PCA.
The church mentioned in the above email, First Pres Gulfport, is my husband's home church - he grew up there, and it's where my twins were baptised. Fortunately, it's still standing, and from what Wes told me they are saying they do not wish for donations at this time, that all donations should go to people in need, rather than toward a rebuilding fund.
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