Watching the live stream coverage of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama online since Saturday has been heart wrenching. The worse part is that each day, instead of improving, things are getting worse and worse for the people in these states. My tears have streamed down as I have watched the horror unfolding for these people. The lives that have been lost, the lives that have been transformed and everything these people had and knew that was lost in a matter of minutes/hours is mind boggling. There were those that got through the hurricane itself with their lives and belongings. Briefly, they may have thought they were going to be O.K. Now even these people have lost everything. And more lives have been lost. I fear for the survivors. They need our help.
These people are our own. We have rushed in to help those in other countries upon disasters striking. Now, disaster has struck here. It is imperative we help our own.
I have listed various phone numbers below of organizations you can contact to make donations. In almost all cases, these organizations can be located online and accept donations online as well.
From the CNN.com website:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists these organizations for those seeking to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina:
Donate cash
American Red Cross (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) English; (800) 257-7575 Spanish
Operation Blessing (800) 436-6348
America's Second Harvest (800) 344-8070
To donate cash or volunteer
Adventist Community Services (800) 381-7171
Catholic Charities, USA (703) 549-1390
Christian Disaster Response (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (800) 848-5818
Church World Service (800) 297-1516
Convoy of Hope (417) 823-8998
Lutheran Disaster Response (800) 638-3522
Mennonite Disaster Service (717) 859-2210
Nazarene Disaster Response (888) 256-5886
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (800) 872-3283
Salvation Army (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief (800) 462-8657, ext. 6133
United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583
Please find it in your heart to donate. ANY AMOUNT is appreciated. All amounts will be used. Don’t think that just because it is a small amount that you should just forget it, that it won’t matter. It WILL matter. Every single dollar will help get these people food, clothing, shelter, medicine, and medical attention. Many will need help for a very, very long time.
Prayers are also needed. Regardless of your personal beliefs, all positive energies directed to those in need can very well make a difference.
---for those wondering, yes, I have made a donation to the Red Cross 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund. (The bill collectors have waited this long, they can wait longer.... Sometimes, there are far more important things that need to be addressed and this is one of those times.) I personally chose the Red Cross because I wanted to make sure the money was put into immediate needs. But there are other organizations that will take over after the Red Cross leaves and this is going to be very much needed also. So please consider these as well.
2 comments:
Hey Mary --
Hope you are hanging in there and this round of chemo isn't too harsh on you.
Sending good thoughts, as always.
You have such a big heart. You're an inspiration to many. I too have made a contribution to those in need. I wonder though, if they also are in need of blood donations?
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