Please Help with the Relief Effort

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Padriag -> Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 4:53:55 AM)
Folks, what has happened along the Gulf Coast is catastrophic. There are a lot of people who have lost everything and who need help. I know a lot of people wonder, "What can I do?" I would urge you to donate whatever you can to the Red Cross. Even if its just $5, it helps. Did you know there are nearly 300 million people in the US? Did you know that if just 40 million of those people would donate $5 each it would raise 200 MILLION in relief funds virtually overnight! You may not have a lot to give, many of us don't, but whatever you can give can help make a big difference if we all pull together. You can donate directly to the Red Cross via their web site at www.redcross.org. Or if you would rather donate to another organization, go to www.fema.gov for a list of credible charities who are helping. The cost in providing food, water, blankets, cots, etc to the victims of this natural disaster will probably top that $200 million price tag, but if we all do what little we can, we can make it happen. If you live outside the US, the RedCross has local chapters in many coutnries, you can help to. And believe me, the people along the Gulf Coast will be grateful you did. RedCross FEMA As bad as things may seem, remember that the US regularly sends relief aid all over the world where ever there has been a need. No country in the world is more capable of pulling together and dealing with this. All it takes is everyone doing whatever small part they can, even if its just $5. When we pull together, there's nothing we can't do! Please do what you can today and on behalf of those affected by this disaster, Thank You.

FangsNfeet -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 5:48:13 AM)
quote: And believe me, the people along the Gulf Coast will be grateful you did. Here's an idea. If the donations are to make things better prepared and help relocate victims to less hurricane effected areas, then may it's worth it to donate. As for housing in Florida, Louisiana, East Coast, and Gulf Coast, the housing there should be mandated to be built along the lines of the Huricane Proof houses which can stand winds over 300mph and make sure they have there own emergency power generators. If you refuse to live in these type of houses, then don't ask me to help you if and when it falls down. Instead of going through this routine year after year, let's have real changes and better plans go into effect. People are going to live where they want to no matter what. Everyone who moves to Florida and such know the risk they are taking. Sometimes it is out of necesity but in any case, when all of us know better, then let's be better prepared. It's idiotic to keep helping a person who never changes when the same problem keeps happeing again, and again, and again. I had a cousin who moved to south Florida last year. I said, "You know they have Hurricanes down there right?" "Yeah" he replied. "And you know that Hurricanes normally cause flooding, black outs, destroy houses, ruin cars, and can easily kill you and your family?" "Yeah I seen all that about there last Huricanes. But it's real nice and safe down there. A good atmosphere, friendly people, beaches, and a great job opportunity." So I asked again "You know they have hurricanes down there right?" "Yeah I know all about the hurricanes." So far my cousin is okay. But if something ever happens, well atleast I warned him.

Sasy -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 10:32:50 AM)
Not even gonna reply to what I think about Fangs post what I am going to say tho is the time it spent to write that he could have spent a few bucks to get some things to HELP some of these folks. I am not a bleeding heart but the bickering over politics that I have seen in the rooms is NOT helping these folks...... I am I guess more aware of this because I live in the Texas Gulf Coast I have seen my share of hurricanes and have read much on the 1900 storm that almost wiped Galveston off the map. People for the moment it isnt about BUILDING it is about making someone who has lost everything a little more comfortable perhaps even bring a smile to the face of a child that has been ripped from the safety of THEIR home THEIR bed and beinf stuck in rooms with 100's of other folks. If you cant afford a few buck ... check the closets find things you just dont wear any more.... not torn not buttons missing just things maybe you didnt like the way it fit ..... it is going to fit someone ........ go thriugh the kids things they ALWAYS have things they wont wear. quit arguing and put a friendly smile on and do something for thise folks. Help find a job for a dad who has a family to care for help him make his way back to providing a life for his family

Mercnbeth -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 10:56:02 AM)
Already sent some personal funds and have mobilized the business resources to add to the amount. After seeing the help come into NYC from all over the US it's the least I can do. Meanwhile just be careful! There are many opportunists and thieves who will appear and use this disaster for self benefit. Make sure the money you send gets to the people who need it. Be careful of special groups selling anything from tee-shirts to wrist bracelets supposedly benefiting the people effecting in the Gulf. Stick to the major charities, but still be careful. Some have so much bureaucracy that only 30% of the money donated trickles down. Even the Red Cross was taken to task regarding this after 9/11 and subsequently initiated specifically designated blocks of funds. We'll be at some functions this weekend in LA where funds will be raised for these poor people. Can anyone not be effected by what they see on TV? But here it is, 2005, and a US city was destroyed. New Orleans was one of my favorite cities to visit. The people were always friendly and ready to party! Every night was Mardi Gras! I've been calling some friends and business associates down there and it's impossible to get through. If it was a SF movie the premise would be dismissed as impossible. Except now, you don't leave the theater and walk into the sunlight, squint, and say; "wow - that looked fake." Except it isn't.

FangsNfeet -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 11:10:52 AM)
quote: I live in the Texas Gulf Coast I have seen my share of hurricanes and have read much on the 1900 storm that almost wiped Galveston off the map. And why are you still living in Galveston?

sub4hire -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 11:47:49 AM)
quote: People for the moment it isnt about BUILDING it is about making someone who has lost everything a little more comfortable perhaps even bring a smile to the face of a child that has been ripped from the safety of THEIR home THEIR bed and beinf stuck in rooms with 100's of other folks. If you cant afford a few buck ... check the closets find things you just dont wear any more.... not torn not buttons missing just things maybe you didnt like the way it fit ..... it is going to fit someone ........ go thriugh the kids things they ALWAYS have things they wont wear. quit arguing and put a friendly smile on and do something for thise folks. Help find a job for a dad who has a family to care for help him make his way back to providing a life for his family Exactly, and for anyone who happens to care about anyone at all here on the board's if you notice there are people missing. Still haven't been found. We do not know if they are ok or safe at the moment. So, it isn't even helping strangers it is helping friends.

Mercnbeth -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 12:19:32 PM)
quote: As for housing in Florida, Louisiana, East Coast, and Gulf Coast, the housing there should be mandated to be built along the lines of the Huricane Proof houses which can stand winds over 300mph and make sure they have there own emergency power generators. If you refuse to live in these type of houses, then don't ask me to help you if and when it falls down. Damn, fangs, with that logic what about everyplace else in the US... Alaska - Blizzards at best, earthquakes at worse Hawaii - Tsunami, volcanoes West Coast - Earthquakes to the south, Mount Saint Helen's to the North. Midwest - Tornadoes, floods (remember the great flood of '93?), and if you go back to the dust bowl days - drought. East Coast & The Gulf as you point out - Hurricanes So anyone living there is responsible for themselves if that 500 year flood hits, or that once every 50 year hurricane hits, or that mobile home seeking tornado happens to get lost and hit them? I'm not aware of anyplace having a dome of invincibility. This is the US and having seen it first hand I know the people will put politics aside, in spite of the politicians, and do whatever work necessary to rebuild. I know that the "Big Easy" will be back better than ever. I believe that by February 2006 Mardi Gras, Bourbon street will be back in action and I hope we will be there to help celebrate! If we rebuilt SF after the earthquake, Chicago after the fire, and even Johnstown after the flood with far less technology and resources available I KNOW New Orleans will be back.

FangsNfeet -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 1:45:45 PM)
No place on Earth is invincible. However, I like the idea of improving rather than rebuilding the exact same house it the exact same location. Everyone needs help now and then as unfortunate event happen, but when you see a pattern it's time for everyone to learn from there mistakes. If you rebuild the exact same house in the exact same location where flooding, winds, and such made it unliveable, should you really be given all the help you had last time? The 1900 Great Storm of Galveston is a rather unique documentry of history. I remember going to the Great Storm museum site over by the Strand of Galveston and watching the film slide as the story unfolded events one after the other. The good news is that after this tragedy, a big project went into effect to raise the ground level and build Galvestons GREAT WALL. Back in 2000, I lived in a town called Conroe, TX just a little over 30 miles North of Houston. When the tropical depression hit, the floor of my car got flooded in a 2ft water dip. Atleast the engine stayed good as my little escort pushed the staled mustang infront of me out of the puddle. After seeing and reading all about the Horrific Damage the tropical storm did in Houston and continued to see about other bad floods, I've decided to stay closer to dryer ground. To my understanding, my odds of being swept up by a tornado have increased a little bit but I've yet to see a tornado. Any how, most people are going to live where they want no matter the conditions. In that case, I'd like to see more of the GET PREPAIRED approach as Galveston once did against these ever so comming disasters. I don't see them going away any time soon as the funds to have weather controll technologicly wise are still needed.

luvdragonx -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 2:20:00 PM)
Fangs, I'd be one of the first ones to agree with you about being proactive in the wake of adversity. I plan to live in Central Tx for the rest of my life for the same reasons you mentioned. Some people will find it hard to empathize with the folks who are given Federal Aid year after year for suffering the same consequences, be it flooding, hurricanes, or earthquakes. However, I think the time to bring this up would be AFTER the people on the Gulf coast are all accounted for, and the survivors are safe with food, water, shelter and clothing.

Sasy -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 3:40:00 PM)
Concrete jungles are INCREASINGLY at risk for flooding there is no where for the water to go several years ago San Antonio had flooding 12-14 foot in places ....... Point it this is a NATURAL disaster and the kids have not one damn thing to do with the BUILDING codes ......... if nothing else for god sakes think of them and quit ACTING like one

sub4hire -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 5:05:13 PM)
If you know anyone missing, you can check on CNN to see if they've been found safe. http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/hurricanes/list/index.html And additional resources Louisiana Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (225-925-7400) Mississippi Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (601-352-9100); 24-hour emergency line, (800-222-MEMA or 800-222-6362) Florida Florida Division of Emergency Management (800-342-3557) Next of kin American Red Cross (800-229-819,1-866-GET-INFO or 866-438-4636) National Next of Kin Registry Property damage and temporary housing Claims can be filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Because phone lines remain down in some areas and disaster response officials are overwhelmed, officials are asking that callers be patient. FEMA (1-800-621-FEMA)

onceburned -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 5:09:07 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Sasy If you cant afford a few buck ... check the closets find things you just dont wear any more.... not torn not buttons missing just things maybe you didnt like the way it fit ..... it is going to fit someone ........ go thriugh the kids things they ALWAYS have things they wont wear. I know your heart is in the right place, but the Red Cross is asking that we not donate clothing or food or other goods. They are overwhelmed and don't have the resources to sort and distribute hard goods. http://www.redcross.org./article/0,1072,0_312_4498,00.html

kc692 -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 5:31:05 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: FangsNfeet quote: And believe me, the people along the Gulf Coast will be grateful you did. Here's an idea. If the donations are to make things better prepared and help relocate victims to less hurricane effected areas, then may it's worth it to donate. As for housing in Florida, Louisiana, East Coast, and Gulf Coast, the housing there should be mandated to be built along the lines of the Huricane Proof houses which can stand winds over 300mph and make sure they have there own emergency power generators. If you refuse to live in these type of houses, then don't ask me to help you if and when it falls down. Instead of going through this routine year after year, let's have real changes and better plans go into effect. People are going to live where they want to no matter what. Everyone who moves to Florida and such know the risk they are taking. Sometimes it is out of necesity but in any case, when all of us know better, then let's be better prepared. It's idiotic to keep helping a person who never changes when the same problem keeps happeing again, and again, and again. I had a cousin who moved to south Florida last year. I said, "You know they have Hurricanes down there right?" "Yeah" he replied. "And you know that Hurricanes normally cause flooding, black outs, destroy houses, ruin cars, and can easily kill you and your family?" "Yeah I seen all that about there last Huricanes. But it's real nice and safe down there. A good atmosphere, friendly people, beaches, and a great job opportunity." So I asked again "You know they have hurricanes down there right?" "Yeah I know all about the hurricanes." So far my cousin is okay. But if something ever happens, well atleast I warned him. Ok, Fangs, no disrespect, but when was the last time a f**king hurricane hit New Orleans??? Edited to add: and FYI, Florida has new building codes since Andrew,,,your point was? And don't worry, I don't think Padriag was asking for your $5 specifically. I'll just contribute for both of us, ok?

darkinshadows -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 6:25:54 PM)
quote: Here's an idea. If the donations are to make things better prepared and help relocate victims to less hurricane effected areas, then may it's worth it to donate. quote: Any how, most people are going to live where they want no matter the conditions. In that case, I'd like to see more of the GET PREPAIRED approach as Galveston once did against these ever so comming disasters. I don't see them going away any time soon as the funds to have weather controll technologicly wise are still needed. Two comments that contradict. What is the point of donations to relocate, if people are going to live where they want anyway, in your own words? The emphasise is on governments to have been prepared. There are no troops to help guide, protect nor assist in saving. Your country, has been failed by its government to even be able to be safe. And dont just give money or clothing or articles - as chris already mentioned, the charitable organziastions are already struggling - give TIME. Give yourselves... I find the irony in such an 'advanced, democratic country' unable to support its peoples when a country such as Japan held its own, in the wake of an earthquake recently. Peace and Love

Sasy -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 6:30:37 PM)
Sorry they are asking for clothing here at our shelters and so is the local police Dept. They have yet to round up enough suitable washing facilities plus they are in Dire need of school clothes quote: ORIGINAL: onceburned quote: ORIGINAL: Sasy If you cant afford a few buck ... check the closets find things you just dont wear any more.... not torn not buttons missing just things maybe you didnt like the way it fit ..... it is going to fit someone ........ go thriugh the kids things they ALWAYS have things they wont wear. I know your heart is in the right place, but the Red Cross is asking that we not donate clothing or food or other goods. They are overwhelmed and don't have the resources to sort and distribute hard goods. http://www.redcross.org./article/0,1072,0_312_4498,00.html

Padriag -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 6:38:22 PM)
Folks, I'd like to ask a little favor of you. Please don't turn this thread into a flame war. I made my post to encourage people to help with the immediate and temporary relief effort that is underway, that's all. I would ask you to ignore the posts of those who choose to be critical and instead focus on what things that can be done and are being done to help. That's where our attention, as a nation, needs to be right now. If you don't want to donate to the RedCross because of allegations raised after 9/11, that's fine. Go to the FEMA web site and there is a list of about 30 other organizations there you can donate to, including the Salvation Army. You can also contact local chapters of either the Salvation Army or the Red Cross and volunteer to help with fund raisers and other projects that will help provide relief in your own community. Hell... donate some old clothes to Goodwill, there are a couple hundred thousand people down there right now that would be happy just to have a clean change of clothes. Last I heard the RedCross was even asking for kid friendly DVDs so they could show movies at some of the shelters to help entertain the kids and take their minds off the hell they've been through. Got some old clothes your kids don't need, they could probably use that too. There is a lot you can do. Fangs, I'm not going to criticize or attack you for your remarks. If you don't want to help, that's your choice, its a free country. If you want to talk about building codes, or if you want to condemn these people, its a free country, you can do that if you want. I'm just going to ask you do it in another thread. Its off topic in this one. I started this thread to encourage people to pitch in an do whatever they could to help with the immediate relief effort, nothing more, nothing less. I'll ask you to respect that. If you want to discuss other topics, start your own thread an have at it. Maybe you don't have any sympathy for those people, that's up to you, but I am asking you to show me enough respect not to hijack my thread with an off topic debate.

onceburned -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 6:38:40 PM)
If you can drop off clothing at a site that is ready to accept clothing, that is great. [:)] Apparently when the relief officials at the Astrodome turned away people who wanted to donate clothing, an impromptu refugee-run clothing distribution began across the street.

Sasy -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 6:39:06 PM)
High 5 Kc................ My kids have put in his share and will be working the next couple months in the center here. ( he is in driving distance of a refugee center I am sure but not likely he will donate time either) quote: ORIGINAL: kc692 Ok, Fangs, no disrespect, but when was the last time a f**king hurricane hit New Orleans??? Edited to add: and FYI, Florida has new building codes since Andrew,,,your point was? And don't worry, I don't think Padriag was asking for your $5 specifically. I'll just contribute for both of us, ok?

Lordandmaster -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 6:39:39 PM)
Experts have been warning about New Orleans's vulnerability to hurricanes for DECADES. It was only a matter of time, and no one did anything about it. (Kinda like what's going on outside the N.O. Convention Center right now.) But I still disagree with Fangs for this reason: although I'm also kind of revolted by the people who insist on living in vulnerable areas and then appealing for federal disaster relief every time the storms come, plenty of places that were ravaged by Katrina weren't even on the coast. If you're not supposed to live ANYWHERE in Southern Mississippi, several million people are going to have to move somewhere else just to please you. quote: ORIGINAL: kc692 Ok, Fangs, no disrespect, but when was the last time a f**king hurricane hit New Orleans???

kc692 -> RE: Please Help with the Relief Effort (9/1/2005 10:14:02 PM)
Today the Department of Homeland Security has asked the Alabama Association of Realtors to develop inventories of housing units that are acvailable for Katrina evacuees. They need some for both long and short term. They are even trying to locate land that 200-400 housing units can quickly be built. THey are also asking about commercial buildings that can quickly be converted into multiple housing units. They are trying to consider ANYTHING that may be used for housing; strip malls, hotels, universities, vacant K-Marts, Wal-Marts,Winn Dixies, etc. These are their exact words on their request. Exact quote from letter received from the Association of Realtors: "Katrina was an unprecedented disaster and requires an unprecedented response." An email earlier in the day stated that the Red Cross will train volunteers NOW and send them to ffected areas to help serve food, set up shelters, transport supplies, distribute water etc. It says they are organizing blood drives. It also says that anything that can be imagined is needed. The scope of this is unbelievable. From the email, Homeland Security is asking Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee for housing assistance. Anything that anyone can do, time, money, goods, housing if you are close by, anything. If you need to know who to contact if you have housing available, email me on the other side, and I will do what I can to help connect you with who you need to contact.

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