hurricane katrina relief efforts

(Updated from this morning with new links.)

I haven't been posting about Hurricane Katrina, mainly because I don't know what to say. It's overwhelming, reading about and seeing images of the devastation, the suffering. My heart goes out to all the victims and their families, but of course that's not enough. I can't imagine what it's like for those in the middle of it.

I'm also well aware of the fine line that exists between wanting to know the basic details and becoming overly caught up in the emotional drama, the rubbernecker factor in watching hours and hours of CNN coverage. We all feel sorry for the victims, of course, and the inevitable finger-pointing has already started about who could have or could be doing more.

So all I'll say is this: please help if you can. Thanks to Robin Scanlon and Tom Smith for some of the following links, all of which allow you to donate money directly to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. I've already made a donation to the Red Cross. It's not much, but I figure every little bit counts.

The American Red Cross: "The Red Cross is launching the largest mobilization of resources for a single natural domestic disaster, in part because the extent of the damage is so widespread over a large geographical area. The response includes sending nearly 1,900 staff and volunteers into the field in the next few days, and sending more than 250 Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) out to provide food and water to affected residents."

The Canadian Red Cross: "The Canadian Red Cross today (Sept. 2nd) confirmed its first team of 25 Disaster Services volunteers headed to Houston, Texas to begin three week assignments with the American Red Cross."

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is currently providing services to storm victims and first responders in the Gulf Coast states. A $100 donation to The Salvation Army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies

United Way Hurricane Katrina Response Fund: "100% of your gift will be used for Hurricane Katrina intermediate and long-term recovery efforts. United Way and its partners will cover all associated fees regarding processing of credit cards and other administrative costs."

Second Harvest, the Nation's Food Bank Network: 100% of donation goes to the relief effort. Disaster Relief Statistics as of September 2, 2005:
Semi truckloads carrying disaster relief food and water: 37
Pounds of food being delivered: 1.1 Million Pounds
Estimated number of meals available: 859,000 Meals
Amount Raised: $1.5 Million

Americares: "Responding to an urgent request for medications, an AmeriCares shipment of medicines will arrive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, today, to help those suffering in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The medicines - all antibiotics - are valued at $300,000 and were requested by doctors working at an emergency clinic in that area. These antibiotics will provide treatments for more than 3,500 people."

Baton Rouge Area Foundation: The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has established two funds designated to benefit those impacted by Hurricane Katrina: (1) The Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund will benefit those individuals evacuated to Baton Rouge from the hurricane impacted areas in Greater New Orleans, who are now unable to return for what maybe an extended period. (2) The Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund will focus on the rebuilding of infrastructure to provide basic human services to residents of these devastated areas.

Those living in the U.S.: If you've got loose coins around the house that you've been meaning to count or whatever, go to this website and locate the nearest Coinstar and drop that change to contribute to the Red Cross. Here's a link to the site to locate the nearest machine.

Habitat For Humanity: "Following Hurricane Katrina's catastrophic strike on the Gulf Coast, Habitat for Humanity International is announcing an emergency appeal for funds to help Habitat families and other low-income families in the affected areas recover and rebuild."

Hurricanehousing.org: "Hurricane Katrina has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. But thousands of people throughout the region are stepping up to offer free shelter to those in need. 50,859 beds volunteered so far!"

Fantasy, SciFi & Gamers Relief Effort: Larry Dixon is organizing an effort to locate fans who have evacuated and relocating them to places they can get back on their feet. "We'll be taking some in ourselves up here in Oklahoma. We have room and resources in house for six or so people and our contractor is readying to rebuild the garage into a bunkhouse to accomodate up to 22 at any one time."

The Humane Society of the US:
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, The HSUS has launched a massive relief effort to rescue animals and assist their caregivers in the disaster areas.

There are many other genuine fund-raising efforts, of course, but be careful to verify info before donating money. Apparently there are already slimebuckets out there taking advantage of the disaster to scam the innocent. Read this Washington Post article on Katrina-related scams.

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