Katrina - How to Help? (FF)

Lynxe · Post by **Lynxe** » September 1, 2005, 9:09 pm

Looking for ways to help the relief efforts! Arborealus got tips?

I was planning to donate to The Red Cross here in Canada. From http://www.redcross.ca you can follow the links to the donation page https://www.paypaq.com/redcross/en/

Too bad we don’t live in an age where we could move people around more easily. I bet there would be a lot of families willing to put people up through this. I would.

PS: All you self-righteous soapbox bitches please play on your own thread. Regardless of your all-important opinion, the bottom line is people need help and if you needed it, I hope someone would give it to you too.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 1, 2005, 9:13 pm

Home Depots are collecting clothing donations! I have to make 3 trips there tomorrow with all stuff we collected from friends and family today.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » September 1, 2005, 9:14 pm

Amazon has a link up now to donate to the red cross.

http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/paypag ... 94-8196818

I wish I had known that earlier, I went to http://www.redcross.org/ and went through their page there (which is sponsored by yahoo). When I did the final submit it timed out so not sure if it went through or not, I'll wait a bit and check email.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » September 1, 2005, 9:19 pm

Also, Glenn Reynolds over at instapundit has a huge set of links of places to make donations (note that some of the links are the blogs that are suggesting the various charities to give to).

edit:

Oops, forgot the link.

http://instapundit.com/archives/025235.php

Canoe · Post by **Canoe** » September 1, 2005, 10:18 pm

Yeah I donated at redcross.org 2 nights ago, but before a lot of companies announced they are matching donations.

Surf around you might be able to get more bang for your buck if you find a company which will match your donation.

But in all seriousness, these people need help, even if you can only afford $2.... please do it ... whether you agree with what's going on or not... people need help.

Marbus · Post by **Marbus** » September 1, 2005, 10:24 pm

Our company is working with Lows on the matching thing and the employees today raised almost $50K. We are going to keep the drive going through Tuesday so we hope to hit $100K, not much in the grand scheme of things but not too bad.

Marb

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » September 1, 2005, 10:30 pm

donating to the red cross is roughly equivalent to burning your money. smaller regional charities have a much higher ratio of dollars actually going to aid.

Sendarie · Post by **Sendarie** » September 1, 2005, 10:41 pm

For those of us military get with your shirts. A group of us have gotten together and put our names in the hat to volunteer and go help do whatever they need us to do.

Funkmasterr · Post by **Funkmasterr** » September 1, 2005, 11:33 pm

kyoukan wrote:donating to the red cross is roughly equivalent to burning your money. smaller regional charities have a much higher ratio of dollars actually going to aid.

/agree .. same with united way or any of the big umbrella charities.. I would stay away from them..[/b]

Garrethe · Post by **Garrethe** » September 2, 2005, 12:16 am

I got rare blood, so i donated. Donate if you can.

Clatis · Post by **Clatis** » September 2, 2005, 12:24 am

I'm making a trip down with one of my friends tomorrow, but that's mainly to bring supplies to our friends there who lost there homes, and a few are coming back with us to stay for a while until they can rebuild

Swiiter · Post by **Swiiter** » September 2, 2005, 12:34 am

I just got back from volunteering at the astrodome and I think the red cross is doing a damn fine job down there. I know they have screwed up in the past, but every cot, blanket, towel and rations have come from them. Actually why do I even bother posting.

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » September 2, 2005, 12:53 am

Yeah I would go either with Red Cross or Catholic Charities be sure and Earmark your donation for Hurricane Katrina Relief. Give Blood its going to be critically needed. Actually MDA will be taking hurricane relief donations during their annual telethon in addition to their normal funds and Jerry Lewis has asked that everyone who would donate to MDA normally, donate half of that to Hurricane Relief.

Catholic Charities has a strong local base in NO so it may be the most efficient in this case. Large charities are inefficient typically but smaller ones can be dubious. If I find a no overhead or extremely low overhead area organization I'll post it up...

Thanks for this Lynxe I should have thought of it but I'm still kinda in shock about this My friends and I have been joking but one I know has lost her home and the other...well it wasn't flooded or damaged in the storm extensively but all this looting and burning...who knows...

Also if you know anyone from New Orleans who needs temporary lodging I would encourage you to offer it if you can tolerate them for a month or more...These people really need their friends right now...And lots of hugs and cocktails...

Good job Swiiter those people need the kindness most of all...They have had a horrible time...

Swiiter · Post by **Swiiter** » September 2, 2005, 1:06 am

By the way, anyone from LA that thinks their friends or family might be at the dome in Houston, I'd be more than happy to see if I can't find them. I'll be out there all weekend. Just send me a PM.

[edit] ... by the way arb, anybody would do the same thing. I think more than anything, a lot of these guys just want someone to talk to and know that someone cares. I hope your friends and family are safe.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 2, 2005, 1:14 am

Donated through my workplace today since they will match dollar for dollar on top of their own donations. I am dreading when the phone lines are restored and we start handling our claims on the 450k+ autos in the region (and that doesn't include motorcycle, boat, commercial, etc.)

Nali · Post by **Nali** » September 2, 2005, 2:13 am

It really restores my faith in people to see everyone so willing to help. Im from Mississippi and Biloxi is probably the largest source of money in the state. The Casinos there give millions of dollars a year in taxes to the state. Mississippi ( as well as LA ) are going to suffer greatly, being the poorest states. So if you can , do help

noel · Post by **noel** » September 2, 2005, 12:07 pm

Please, please do whatever you can. Even if you can only afford to donate a dollar, and you think that won't do anything, all those dollars add up. Do whatever you can, I promise you it will help.

Additionally, donating to the Red Cross is not burning your money. The way they handle donations after the problems with the 9/11 donations has changed. You can now specifically state what you want your donation money to go to, so there are no more issues with your donation not going toward what you intend. Yes they screwed up, but that has been corrected.

Please donate anything you can. My wife and I have both donated money, and being O+, I went and donated blood. If you have no money, you can also contact the Red Cross (or the charity of your choice) and ask about donating time. I know the Red Cross is looking for help packaging some of the supplies and donation items that are being sent to that area.

Edit: FYI, here's an evaluation of the Red Cross from an independent Charity evaluation organization:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.c ... d/3277.htm

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 2, 2005, 3:45 pm

Sony actually added a /donate command in at least EQII (Not sure about other games as well).

From the EQ patcher:

**Please Lend a Helping Hand In the Wake of Hurricane Katrina**

Hurricane Katrina has left an incredible wake of destruction across the Mid-Atlantic States. Sony Online Entertainment would like to ask you to take a moment to make a donation to the American Red Cross in order to help alleviate some of the suffering.

In EverQuest II we have added the /donate command, type in /donate to be taken to the American Red Cross⿿s Hurricane 2005 relief page. For those members of SOE Communities in other games, you can contribute using this link, American Red Cross. The American Red Cross will process your donation and make sure that it is put to maximum use to help those whose lives have been affected by the hurricane.

Additionally, for our 13,000+ players actually in the affected areas, we will be suspending billing until such time as they are able to play again. In addition, any items or structures in any of our games, which decay over time, will be preserved until the user⿿s next login.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity.

The SOE Family

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » September 2, 2005, 4:01 pm

Also check with your employer if they are doing something. Call the human resources department.

My company, like Marb's, is matching employee contributions. Check with your employer first, because you might be able to double your contribution that way.

If you live in the southeast you probably have people displaced in your city or town. The shelters in your town will need supplies like razors, diapers, baby formula, feminine hygene stuff, soap, clean t-shirts.

whatever, i can't imagine how good it must feel to one of these mothers right now to have a clean baby drinking some baby formula made with clean water.

shy of that, cash to one of the charities suggested is a big help. You know you can bring your lunch to work each day next week, and take that $25 that you saved and donate it.

this is such a tragedy it is unreal. Some friends of ours are getting in to ATlanta tonight. What they want from us is to drink a bottle of wine and to talk about something ELSE. hehe.

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » September 2, 2005, 4:02 pm

Be nice if they matched donations from players.

If you don't feel particularly motivated to help the people down there, then think about http://www.nsalamerica.org/ and help the overlowing animal shelters in the area.

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » September 2, 2005, 4:23 pm

Thanks for the tip on where to donate. We have had a very fortunate financial year and I wanted to make sure we made a donation to those that are less fortunate. I hope all who have friends and relatives down there are doing ok.

Swiiter · Post by **Swiiter** » September 2, 2005, 5:14 pm

Construction company hiring 1000 people to help with hurricane clean up. $10/hr, 80-90 hrs weekly, food, lodging, transportation to area. Start immediately, could go on for 1-2 yrs. Anyone interested can call directly to LVI Svcs,
713-991-0480, 10500 Telephone Rd.

Lynxe · Post by **Lynxe** » September 2, 2005, 5:24 pm

Thanks for the info on Home Depot. We got one here literally in the last few months and I'm going to call them and see if they are shipping stuff from Canada too.

Sirensa · Post by **Sirensa** » September 2, 2005, 5:46 pm

I'm gonna donate through my law school, which is matching buck for buck donations to Red Cross.

My school is also taking at least 20 law students from Tulane and Loyola and giving them at least the first semester of tuition for free. Seems a lot of universities have been being very generous to displaced students.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » September 3, 2005, 12:01 pm

Might talk to your employers even if they are matching $ for $. Mine just bumped matching to 200% with an upper limit per person of $7,500 matched.

Ah, and they also added a payroll deduct option since it will be an ongoing thing. I have already earmarked monies from my next check to go as well.

Laliana · Post by **Laliana** » September 3, 2005, 6:09 pm

http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/an ... ource=KROQ

A good link for non-profit organizations to donate to.

Keverian FireCry · Post by **Keverian FireCry** » September 4, 2005, 7:23 pm

Ok if you have some kids, here's a constructive way of getting them to help as well...

My 11 year old and 14 year old neices have made 400 dollars in 3 days since they started selling lemonade and cookies on the side of the road with signs saying "ALL PROCEEDS GO TO NEW ORLEANS RELIEF EFFORT". From what I've seen, about 1 out of every 4 or 5 of the cars that go by pull over and buy cookies.

Not only that, but since they started doing it, more kid-run stands in other areas of my town are opening up.

I know there are more direct and effecient ways of donating money for us adults, but kids can help too! So if you have some kids and some time to help them set up a stand, do it!

Arborealus · Post by **Arborealus** » September 4, 2005, 8:50 pm

Off to NO for a few days to stabilize several friends' homes and get some of their possessions etc...

Lynnsie · Post by **Lynnsie** » September 5, 2005, 9:20 am

Kylere, after reading your post, I thought that sending a bunch of clothes that I don't have a need for any more, would be a great way to help out the victims of Katrina, along with a monitary donation. I wen't to the Home Depot website and looked for information about the Katrina Relief Efforts. And this is what I found...maybe they stopped taking clothing donations, who knows..so I'll just send a check. I really thought supplying clothing would have been an even greater way to help out though, seeing as how these people didn't really have a huge amount of time to pack all their clothes with them when they evacuated. http://www.homedepot.com and click on the link near the American Red Cross listing.

Kylere · Post by **Kylere** » September 5, 2005, 10:51 am

I thought that was wierd Lynnsie , so I called to buddy Traci that works there to find out WTF (She is the one that told me about it heh) . Their effort is employee driven and regional, seems Home Depot lost 3 stores in the area ( or at least lost the ability to open and run three) and they are collecting for the employees of those stores internally. But I am glad to see they stepped up and backed it corporately also.

Lynnsie · Post by **Lynnsie** » September 5, 2005, 12:56 pm

Ahh ok, thanks for the clairification