AlterNet / By Don Hazen
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 68

10 Great Ways You Can Help

Let's not let our clumsy, uncaring government undermine our capacity to help those in need.
September 7, 2005  |  
 
 
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In the absence of leadership and compassion from the White House and the entire administration, along with the unbelievable scope of the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, there has been an unprecedented citizen response of money, goods, volunteers and technology creating a river of love and support to the more than a million displaced people. Simply stated, Americans are not going to let a clumsy, uncaring government undermine our capacity to support those in need.

It's clear that huge numbers of Americans don't agree with the Bush administration's philosophy and strategy of shrinking government and services. In downgrading FEMA and cutting funding for flood protection for New Orleans, while spending hundreds of billions of dollars to send hundreds of thousands of American troops and tons of equipment to Iraq, our country and our people have been left vulnerable. When big trouble happens at home, as it did with Hurricane Katrina, the fundamental cruelty of disdaining and downgrading government services is made abundantly clear.

As often happens in big disasters, huge enterprises like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army and others get the bulk of the money raised (the Red Cross has already raised over $350 million). Sometimes these big operations do not have the nimbleness or the understanding of the local community to apply the aid in the smartest and most strategic way. That's when we have to trust the people we know, and the local grassroots groups that have been serving their communities for decades.

What follows is one list of 10 great things happening in response to Hurricane Katrina. These are deserving places for your support, whether it is to give housing, use your tech skills, volunteer or give hard cash.

  1. American Friends Service Committee (via veteran reporter Doug Ireland): "If you'd like to make a donation that will actually help the poorest citizens of New Orleans, Biloxi, and the many small Southern towns devastated by Katrina, you should do so through the American Friends Service Committee. They've established a special Hurricane Relief fund. The AFSC was founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims. It's still Quaker-run, and its sterling history of agitation and education for peace is matched by its long record, for nearly a century, of lean, effective, on-the-ground service to victims of war and famine. A gift to the AFSC won't be wasted."

  2. NAACP disaster relief efforts. Juan Proano explains that the NAACP, America's oldest civil rights organization, "is setting up command centers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama as part of its disaster relief efforts. NAACP units across the nation have begun collecting resources that will be placed on trucks and sent directly into the disaster areas. Also, the NAACP has established a disaster relief fund to accept monetary donations to aid in the relief effort. The NAACP has chapters and members throughout the disaster area, and is intent on getting relief to those most in need at the grassroots level. "

    Send checks payable to:
    NAACP Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
    4805 Mt. Hope Drive
    Baltimore, MD 21215
    Donations can also be made online at: https://www.naacp.org/disaster/contribute.php

  3. Cindy Sheehan and Veterans for Peace. From Michael Moore: "Join with me in bypassing the colossally inept and incompetent Bush administration and get help DIRECTLY to the people of the New Orleans area -- right now. Many don't know who to trust. I have a way, though, for each and every one of us to do something that can affect people's lives TODAY. I've been working with a group that, I guarantee you, will get direct aid to the people who need it most. Cindy Sheehan, the brave woman who dared to challenge Mr. Bush at his summer home has joined The Veterans for Peace set up camp in Covington, Louisiana, on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. They are accepting materials and personally distributing them to those in need and are going to be delivering much-needed supplies." Needed now: paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, Pedialyte, baby items in general, powder, lotion, handy wipes, sterile gloves, electrolytes, LARGE cans of veggies, school supplies, and anything else to lift people's spirits. Visit VFPRoadTrips.org for instructions on shipping these things, or driving them there yourself.

  4. Help ACORN get on its feet again. ACORN, the most influential organization in the U.S. in fighting for low-income people is really hurting. From Allison Conyers: "Our headquarters in New Orleans has been destroyed. Now we are fighting to relocate and aid the more than 9,000 member families we have there. We have members in Houston who are taking in many families and are now organizing a van tour that will pick up goods from cities all over the country. We need support to open a temporary national headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and, when possible, reopen our offices in New Orleans. As we get up and running, we will gather together our displaced community members and work to help secure the housing, community services, and other relief they need. All of this will be expensive, so please consider a contribution to the ACORN Hurricane Recovery and Rebuilding Fund."
  5. Help people reconnect. PeopleFinder is a volunteer-driven database project attempting to compile all of the information currently found online -- from official Red Cross databases to Craigslist lost-and-found postings -- into one central repository, and to republish that information in a way that will be easily searchable and amendable to existing databases. From Zack Rosen, founder of CivicSpace Labs: "I was stunned by the response they received when the project was launched on Friday. By Saturday, we had around 100 developers working on the various pieces; by this afternoon, volunteers have processed over 60,000 records of information. I haven't ever seen anything like it." They're expecting to have the search functions finished by the weekend, and will be working with the Red Cross and FEMA to finalize some of the implementation.

    A number of technicians at Community Wireless Rapid Response are putting together a low-powered FM radio network, and are in need of radio equipment donations. They need 10,000 radios and the batteries to run them ASAP. They're also working on setting up WiFi and other wireless communications, and are based out of Houston. Equipment and techies in that area are needed.

    Air America Radio's Public Voicemail, 1-866-217-6255, is a way for disconnected people to communicate in the wake of Katrina. Here's how it works: Call the toll-free number above, enter your everyday phone number, and then record a message. Other people who know your everyday phone number (even if it doesn't work anymore) can call Emergency Voicemail, enter the phone number they associate with you, and hear your message. You can also search for messages left by people whose phone numbers you know. Air America Radio will leave Public Voicemail in service for as long as this crisis continues. You can call it whenever you are trying to locate someone, or if you are trying to be found. Air America Radio brings you Emergency VoiceMail in conjunction with VoodooVox.

  6. Supporting local foundations and organizations. From Sara Van Gelder, editor of Yes Magazine: "Here are some local groups who need donations to enable them to provide immediate disaster relief. These groups come well-recommended by trusted sources as organizations with a long-term commitment to stricken areas and a strong track record of making a difference."
    • The Enterprise Corporation of the Delta and the Hope Community Credit Union will use donated funds for immediate relief, and then help people rebuild their homes and businesses in the distressed communities in Louisiana and Mississippi where these not-for-profit organizations have been operating for a dozen years.

      Enterprise Corporation of the Delta
      222 North President Street/Suite 200
      Jackson, MS 39201
      Phone: 601-944-1100; Toll-free: 1-866-THE-DELTA (1-866-843-3358); FAX: 601-944-0808
      Email: info@ecd.org

    • The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is estimating that as many as half a million displaced people may be in Baton Rouge for up to six months. The foundation's Hurricane Katrina Displaced Residents Fund is seeking funds to assist with housing, food and basic necessities for these hurricane refugees. A second fund, Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Recovery Fund, will help those who return to the Greater New Orleans area get back on their feet. The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is a non-profit community foundation comprised of over 300 charitable funds.

      Baton Rouge Area Foundation
      402 N. Fourth Street
      Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802
      Phone (225) 387-6126
      Toll-free 1(877) 387-6126

  7. Housing offers. MoveOn has the largest housing network operation running so far, and the Louisiana state government has endorsed it on their site (note that all housing shelters listed for the state of Louisiana are listed as full). From Noah T. Winer: "In the face of the enormous tragedy unfolding in the Southeast, the response from MoveOn members and the general public to our volunteer housing efforts has been amazing and heartwarming. Since last Thursday, offers of over 150,000 beds have been posted at hurricanehousing.org, with over 50,000 of those spots in the Southeast. ...

    Over 1,500 people have responded to the postings, seeking housing for 11,000 hurricane victims -- even as most relief organizations are still focused primarily on saving everyone they can from the most immediate dangers. With over a million people displaced, we expect that the housing offered so far will be snapped up."

  8. Preventing local non-profits from getting marginalized. From Drummond Pike at the Tides Foundation: "In the past, Tides has established Rapid Response Funds for emergencies (Hurricane Mitch, 9/11, and the recent tsunami). In each case, we have used the funds to fill in the gaps where progressive organizations, community groups or underserved populations are left marginalized by the larger relief programs. That is our intent here. We expect that the bulk of the funds will be used to support the recovery of nonprofits that have served the Gulf States for years. Once on their feet, these groups will be one of the best ways to aid displaced people in dire straights. Second, we will be looking for ways to help undocumented immigrants and others often left outside government and Red Cross sponsored programs.

    Tides Rapid Response Fund for Hurricane Katrina Relief and Rebuilding has been established for our friends to easily make contributions. You can make an instant online donation to the fund by clicking the DonateNow button at www.tidesfoundation.org/RR_0905.cfm "

  9. Supporting the AFL-CIO Union Community Fund's special Hurricane Relief Fund. Donations will be targeted to meet the most critical needs among working families. From the Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center: Those of us fortunate to be outside the hurricane's path must help and we must help now. The AFL-CIO's Union Community Fund has established a special Hurricane Relief Fund that will target help where it's needed most by working families. We are working with the labor federations in affected states and with relief organizations to make sure your contributions help brother and sister union members whose lives have been turned upside down. Please click on the link below to make your tax-deductible contribution now:https://secure.ga3.org/08/UCF_Katrina_Relief

    The Union Community Fund -- "labor's charity for working families and communities in distress" -- is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Donations to the Union Community Fund are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

  10. Supporting the local progressive union community coaltion. From Van Jones, executive director, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights: "Community Labor United (CLU), a coalition of the progressive organizations throughout New Orleans, has brought community members together for eight years to discuss socio-economic issues. We have set up a People's Hurricane Fund that will be directed and administered by New Orleans' evacuees. The Young People's Project, a 501(c)3 organization formed by graduates of the Algebra Project, has agreed to accept donations on behalf of this fund. Donations can be mailed to:
    The People's Hurricane Fund c/o The Young People's Project
    99 Bishop Allen Drive
    Cambridge, MA 02139

    If you have comments of how to proceed or need more information, please email Curtis Muhammad, muhammadcurtis@bellsouth.net


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Don Hazen is the executive editor of AlterNet. Cindy Gantz and Deanna Zandt provided research for this article.
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Best efforts so far!
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Posted by: dpcosteajr on Sep 7, 2005 3:20 PM   
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This is the sort of article I expect from the most informed members of the Internet community!

Well done!

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Salvation Army Bigotry
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Posted by: thirdmg on Sep 7, 2005 3:51 PM   
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Thanks for listing those alternatives for offering donations and support.

It should be noted that the Salvation Army is a fundamentalist religious organization and was among those groups which demanded the right to discriminate in order to lend their support to Bush's Faith-based Initiative. Under the guise of religion and morality, the SA promotes discrimination and bigotry against millions of gays and lesbians in this country and throughout the world, and it officially discriminates against gays in its employment policies.

Justifiably, many gays, as well as their relatives and friends, view the SA as an organized hate group and will not contribute to it or to anyone who associates with it.

Until the SA decides to treat all people with equal dignity and respect, the act of re-directing charitable contributions to deserving organizations who do not maintain policies of discrimination will help contribute to a climate of tolerance and social justice for gays.

Think of the issue this way: regardless of need, if any charitable organization maintained an official policy of discrimination based on race, would it be socially acceptable or respectable?

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» RE: Salvation Army Bigotry Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Salvation Army Bigotry Posted by: cobrajet
» RE: Salvation Army Bigotry Posted by: mjgosselin

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NAACP Site was easy to use with a credit card
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Posted by: Sojourner on Sep 7, 2005 4:02 PM   
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Thanks for the nudge. I liked having a spectrum of choices. I chose the one who I would least mind getting followup solicitations from. I dropped my NAACP membership some years back just out of neglect.

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volunteering in NO
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Posted by: wizzard on Sep 7, 2005 5:34 PM   
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Anyone know of good orgs looking for helping hands with cleanup and/or rebuilding efforts in the months to come? I'm looking to get folks from NYC down to help out. Thanks.

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» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: Urstrly
» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: JoeC
» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: Rae
» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: Abu Justice

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11. Challenge feckless Democrats
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Posted by: scotts on Sep 7, 2005 10:05 PM   
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For all the billions being pissed away in Iraq and on Bushco's security state propaganda apparatus, don't forget to also thank useless Democrats like John Kerry, Joe Leiberman, Hilary Clinton, and Joe Biden, for accomodating the Bush Administration's worst aspirations at every turn.

If/when Bush falls, it will be of his own weight, and nothing the Democratic party is doing. This is a crying shame.

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» you forget they were elected Posted by: beetruetoyou
» Excuses, but WHO? Posted by: bogey11
» Barak Obama!!! Posted by: beetruetoyou
» RE: 11. Challenge feckless Democrats Posted by: monkeywrench

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agitator church and state
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Posted by: eileenflmng on Sep 8, 2005 6:13 AM   
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The misery of thousands of American refugees offers us all an opportunity to DO SOMETHING!
American citizens are much better than the government we curently have.
American citizens have responded rapidly and generously.

May we all contribute to the enormous needs of our American sisters and brothers through the organizations listed above.

AND let us all DO SOMETHING about confronting our government that home land security should mean a secure home land.
-e.
www.wearewideawake.org

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An 11th way to help
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Posted by: dkm on Sep 8, 2005 6:19 AM   
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There is another site that should be mentioned, http://www.mcc.org/katrina/

The Mennonite Central Committee has been working in disaster relief for a very long time and has the experience to do it right. Not only do they know how to deliver the goods, so to speak, right after the event, but they stick with the problem for years after it has gone off the event horizon for everyone else.

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» RE: An 11th way to help Posted by: meprieb
» RE: An 11th way to help Posted by: beetruetoyou

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LakeLand Bob
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Posted by: lakelandbob on Sep 8, 2005 6:46 AM   
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I think an additional action of people within the progressive community would be to express appreciation to Presidents Castro and Chavez for their willingness to 'turn the other cheek' and offer aid to the US, and to urge your lawmakers to accept that aid with graitutde! Such a positive response would do a great deal to restore the US' tattered image in other parts of the world.

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» RE: LakeLand Bob Posted by: peg
» RE: LakeLand Bob Posted by: jcutler9

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don't forget the food!
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Posted by: Darnola on Sep 8, 2005 7:49 AM   
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we need to spend some time and money on repairing our seafood and agriclture industries. The farmers and fishers of our region want to be there to feed the returning, so need help! Baton Rouge Foundation can take money for those that want to support these members of our community..
Dar Wolnik
Crescent City Farmers Market staff

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Thank you for NOT including the American Red Cross on your list
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Posted by: mmcintyre on Sep 8, 2005 8:16 AM   
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An organization that is claiming to donate 100% of funds for the hurricane to the victims is America's Second Harvest food bank which I obtained off the NAACP website.

Unfortunately the company I work for will only match funds when employees donate to the Red Cross and will not match funds for other organizations but I donated to the food bank anyway.

I have choosen not to donate any future funds to the Red Cross because after 9/11 the funds they received were misappropriated and victims were claiming to have received little or no help. The Red Cross has raised approximately 43 million this time. It will be interesting to see how much really gets to the victims.

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Don't marginalize or complain about church groups.......
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Posted by: Quendi on Sep 8, 2005 11:03 AM   
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It must not be forgotten that for all their "ideological baggage", many church groups do a FANTASTIC job of getting help to those who need it, in a timely and truly Charitable (recall that the true meaning of "charity" is Love!) manner. The Mennonite Central Relief Committe has been mentioned - they are a top notch organization for certain, and DO have a good track record of sticking around to make sure the job is done properly. Another excellent church-based organization is ACS - Adventist Community Services (ADRA in other countries - Adventist Development and Relief Agency): they are a truly compassionate bunch, and well worthy of support. They do not generally solicit funds from the general public, but once a year usually in November, most Adventist churches have what they call "ingathering", when members go door to door to ask for funds for relief work and community services efforts and projects. They also approach businesses. Anyway, the relief effort will be going on in several states for many months or even years, and ACS/ADRA will be right there in the trenches, using donated funds in extremely efficient methods to get help to those who need it. I urge you not to forget them, or other hard-working church groups such as the Baptist Sharing Way and a host of others.

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Don't forget the animals!
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Posted by: swells on Sep 8, 2005 12:45 PM   
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One of the reasons many people have refused to evacuate is that rescuers have forced them to make a Hobbesian choice: You can go, but you must abandon your animal companions. Many refuse to do so choosing to remain in harms way.

Thousands of abandoned or lost animals are suffering slowly and dying in the aftermath of Katrina. Efforts are underway to rescue them and to care for them unitl they can be reunited with their families or re-homed.

Please don't forget these innocent victims. Here are some of the groups working on the scene to care for these victims that need your help:

Louisiana SPCA: http://www.la-spca.org/
United Animal Nations: http://www.uan.org/
Humane Society of the United States: http://www.hsus.org

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9/11 March to Bushville, DC - www.bushville.org
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Posted by: GeorgeBushytail on Sep 8, 2005 1:10 PM   
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9/11 March to Bushville, DC

On 9/11 survivors of Katrina will commit an act of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience by setting up an illegal camp on the Washington, DC Mall. Bushville, DC will stay there as long as it takes to get answers and change.

Visit http://www.bushville.org and spread the word.

We will camp on Bush's doorstep and make him face us every day until he is driven from power.

Join the March to Bushville, DC. If you can't make it on 9/11 visit us on 9/24.

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Join the IMPEACH BUSH March in DC
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Posted by: eburke on Sep 8, 2005 3:15 PM   
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Join the IMPEACH BUSH March in DC September 24th.

Show up and show congress and the senate that they will NOT be re-elected in 2006 unless they impeach this criminal in the White House.

Join the IMPEACH BUSH March in DC (click for more details) September 24th.

At the very least, click and download a sign about the protest and post it at your local market.

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What a Fabulous Idea !!!
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Posted by: kww355 on Sep 8, 2005 3:18 PM   
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Anybody remember the Bonus Marchers and "Hoovervilles" from history classes? The Katrina Survivors "Bushville" ought to make them look like pikers!!!

Not to wish anyone ill, but I hope a group of them stays clear through to the 2008 Presidential Elections. Maybe that will remind the American public that Republican "moral values" are just more lies.

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smuney2k@yahoo.com
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Posted by: smuney on Sep 8, 2005 4:36 PM   
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Has everyone forgotten about John Edwards? He certainly garnered a lot of support, and it seems we need a populist about now. Assuming his wife recovers, he's not out of the running.

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» RE: smuney2k@yahoo.com Posted by: kww355

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The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond
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Posted by: nycpearl on Sep 8, 2005 9:33 PM   
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The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond is a grassroots organization based in New Orleans who do trainings all over the country on Undoing Racism. They teach the real story of the history of racism in the US (A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn is one of the top books on their reading list) and they facilitate the kind of dialogue that is needed about the racial issues that still exist in this country that were made so obvious during the Katrina tragedy. Please consider visiting their website, and consider them in your donation efforts. Their offices are submerged and their staff have lost their homes. They will need money and help more than the Red Cross ever will. Thank you.

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Tipitina's fund to help NOLA artists/musicians
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Posted by: kaycee on Sep 9, 2005 9:10 AM   
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In addition to the nonprofits listed above, check out Tipitina's website:

http://www.tipitinas.com/default.asp

Tipitina's is one of New Orleans' legendary music clubs. They've got a nonprofit, "Tipitina's Foundation Artist Relief", that accepts donations, is publicizing some fundraisers (great music!) and is trying to find housing for musicians who've lost their homes. Tips is the real dea.

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Typical
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Posted by: johnny-boy2 on Sep 9, 2005 10:30 AM   
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Just couldn't offer ways to help without first taking a shot at the government could you?

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» RE: Typical Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Typical Posted by: johnny-boy2
» RE: Typical Posted by: Nheduanna

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Tax The Rich
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Posted by: duriel on Sep 9, 2005 12:22 PM   
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There should be a 100% tax on incomes over $200,000 until the poor are taken care of, the deficit is paid off, a living wage is implemented and the nation's educational, environmental and health-care needs are fulfilled.

The rich are destroying this country and have to be stopped.

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» RE: Tax The Rich Posted by: snarej
» RE: Tax The Rich Posted by: johnny-boy2

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fredwahl
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Posted by: fredwahl on Sep 9, 2005 3:19 PM   
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Tax the rich ,feed the poor, until there aren't no rich no more

Fred

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remember community radio/media-also remembercompassion for animals/organizations supporting animals
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Posted by: sandcat on Sep 10, 2005 1:19 PM   
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Just a reminder to remember independent/alternative media!!! I work @ KFCF Fresno, listener-supported, grass-roots, free-speech, community radio; affiliate of KPFA Berkeley, part of the Pacifica network. These media outlets are a precious source of information, TRUTH, unbeholden to corporate interests!!! Without these alternative sources of information, a lot more people would be in the dark about the reality of things happening. Also, I would suggest remembering the organizations that help rescue animals, from pets to domesticated to wildlife, etc., animals suffer, too.

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Disaster Aid and shrinking FEMA--A New Paradigm
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Posted by: cj on Sep 10, 2005 7:44 PM   
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Hmmm. Let's think about this. The government from top to bottom screwed up. Private organizations and individuals stepped up to the plate before anyone in government could come out of a stupor. I believe that, if everyone wasn't waiting for FEMA et. al., we would have seen bus convoys coming from all over to get people out of the Superdome. In fact, people bringing supplies were turned away.

Maybe the answer isn't a bigger FEMA but a smaller one. One that can set up communications when local systems fail and can coordinate offers from everywhere (even Cuba) to where they need to go.

Let's take this opportunity to shrink bureaucracy in one tiny corner of this federal monster, especially in view of Bush's focus on militarizing everything. Do we really need the army, the National Guard ought to be sufficient. We should shift disaster responsibility to state and local governments. Maybe states with hurricanes self insure as state or regional entities. The same with floods in the Mississippi and Missouri River systems, California, etc. Maybe if local people were responsible for local disasters we'd have more environmentally responsible legislation as an option to constantly rebuilding flood plains, barrier reefs, etc.

I know, lots of maybes, but somehow, some way we have to get out of the rut of expecting more government (i.e. bureaucracy) to solve the problems created by bureaucratic ineptitude.

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empower the flood victims
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Posted by: rtdrury on Sep 11, 2005 2:11 AM   
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Nobody's talking about actually empowering the flood victims. How would you handle it if you were in their shoes? Ok, you need to find a way to communicate that to them. They need to learn that from you. A bottle of water is no substitute. How about training them for flood restoration? They need the training and the equipment. Or you can invest in Halliburton stock and have it do the cleanup at a 10x overcharge to the taxpayer. Do you want to empower Halliburton or do you want to empower the flood victims?

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Soul of America
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Posted by: Falang on Sep 11, 2005 11:36 AM   
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The cleaning started and the great compassionate soul of America is coming back on his feet. You have to admire the soul of that society, now if you want to buy a house who was priced $85000 in Baton Rouge before Katrina now you have to spend $235000, Bush and is neocons bodies at FEMA already give 3 cleaning and reconstruction contracts to their neocon friends, one to a subsidiary of Haliburton a other one to Shaw Group Inc. who is a client of the lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the third who doesn't need much presentation is Bechtel Corp.

For Bechtel Corp and Halliburton we already know how they can do a very good job in Iraq loothing public reconstruction money.
If it not enough Bush had lift the Davis-Bacon law allowing federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage. Now you will think that the law was lift to lower the price of the reconstruction but there is no law to force corparation to pass the economy to the governement.

Don't be gullible about the neocons speech about faith and value in America their only faith is in the green bills and their only value is greed and it reflect on many american to.

Now that the cleaning and reconstruction have started it is a open season for corporation and the Republican neocons to loot the public money for reconstruction.

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Back to animals for a moment
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Posted by: sandcat on Sep 13, 2005 4:22 AM   
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I read a very depressing, heartbreaking editorial the other day. As someone said previously, many people wouldn't evacuate and leave their animal companions behind. Someone mentioned an incident where a young boy had carried his dog with him all the way to the superdome, no doubt being comforted by his pet-only to have a police officer take the dog out of his arms and force the boy on the bus to evacuate without the dog. The boy was hysterical, the dog was howling, and the bus drove away while the boy watched his dog trying to run after him in the bus. And Mrs. Bush has the audacity to say "it's working out quite well for them". An idea: maybe in future disaster planning, these national animal advocate organizations could include a plan for lost/displaced animals-such as alternate shelters in safe areas. Those evacuating in advance could have a colored coded collar ( for city, neighborhood?) on their pet, along with tag, and a system for transporting animals to these alternate shelters in advance, including pick-up for those unable to transport. Then there would be a relatively organized clearinghouse for people to search for lost pets. It just seems to me that there are plenty of these agencies, (ASPCA, HSUS, etc) that are always soliciting money, it seems it should be do-able. If Cuba can do it, why can't America???

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Blood Out of a Turnip
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Posted by: Commie_Ricko on Sep 15, 2005 2:48 AM   
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Whenever and wherever trajedy strikes Americans are expected to cough up the cash. Well, I got news for you, Americans are strung out financially; kids, gas, taxes, credit card debt, doctor bills, co-pays, meds, car repairs, you name it, many of us just do not have any money and live pay day to pay day. As a retired handicapper I can say; go to George Bush and ask if he and his billionaire friends can give a little!

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ECLECTICIST S. JIM RODRIGUEZ
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Posted by: SJR505 on Sep 15, 2005 10:21 AM   
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As an American with over 300+ years of roots in Texas, and a family motto: "We did not come to the U.S., the U.S. came to us..." i am very proud to say that Texas or Tejas(meaning friendly) lived up to its definition...Our families in Houston opened our homes, hearts, and monies to support the evacuees...Our response were better than FEMA, the administration, Bush 43, and his cronies, to help our neighbors...Our theme is and was "It could have been the Houston/Galveston area very easily..."

But again, remember that the "road to hell is laid with good intentions..." And, like most of us we are waiting for the other shoe to drop"... And, as we found out that FEMA was not going to reimburse the ISD"s that accepted the evacuees's children in our schools without question...In essence, FEMA stated to stick the costs of education in your ear(s)...

And, "the beat goes on..."
S...JIM...RODRIGUEZ+++EL ECLECTICIST===
33333333333333333333333333333333

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Children helping children
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Posted by: chrysalide17 on Sep 16, 2005 2:28 PM   
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If you have children in schools or just want to help the displaced Katrina' children, please go to this link :
www.seedwiki.com/wiki/projectbackpack/projectbackpack.cfm
and see what you can do, and spread the word.
Thanks .
Chrysalide/Yvette/Therese

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Tents NEEDED
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Posted by: Abu Justice on Oct 24, 2005 8:37 AM   
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We have an immediate documented need of at least 1,000 Family size tents for
the homeless Families of East Biloxi Mississippi alone, due to Katrina the
devastator.

Please donate air mattress, tents and bedding. The Immediate need of medical
care, water, and food are being met for the moment, yet that could change
fast. Temporary housing, shower facilities are in great need, as several
families often are forced share unsafe, cramped and unsanitary conditions.
The few Red Cross shelters are expelling undocumented workers, that also
will need protection from the elements. The unused tent in your attic can
serve as a temporary home. Buying a tent to donate is a great form of direct
aid. Working with local and distant businesses and organizations, we will
truck, supply and distribute aid as needed directly. Come along and help us
if you like, as much is needed to be done and quickly.

For more information on how you can help, Please contact Tyler Westbrook of
Lincoln Vermont at 802 453 4503 and or Oxfam at the East Biloxi Community
Coordination and Relief Center, Megan Allchin at 650 242 9328, or Councilman
Bill Stallworth of The City of East Biloxi at 228 297 9187

If by Mail...Please Send Tents to Councilman Bill Stallworth 1726 Richards Drive Biloxi
Mississippi 39532

Donations can be tax deductible



Thank you kindly....

Now Wilma....



Tyler Westbrook and Family
118 Cold Spring Road
Lincoln Vermont 05443

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Callng all Domebuilders
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Posted by: Abu Justice on Oct 24, 2005 8:47 AM   
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Howdy Folks,

I am a Hurricane Katrina Relief Volunteer just back home in VT, from Biloxi Mississippi. The response to help was by the people who cared, We The People, that is. I helped through all the phases form Search and rescue ,to providing food water and medical care, then clothing, bedding and tents, gradually looking to long term solutions.
We need at least temporary wind resistant shelters for the thousands of Familys in need.
Now the people are facing rebuilding, stick frames and such, that are of course, doomed. I'm thinking domes, is, are ,and will be, an obvious solution. Plus im telling ya man.... there is LOTS of materials lying around, they are munching it all up and taking it to burn. Classic hand hewn, and sawn old heart pine beams, Cypress planks foot wide... just going to waste. 2 by fours by the billions... Its all still there... waiting to be burnt.. or reclaimed..
Building domes of recycled Material can be a real solution. I am thinking maybe with fiber reinforced concrete... I don't know see , you folks do. I think we have a real chance here of transforming a community. All this love coming in...Plus the power of reason... Domes have a chance... all we are saying is Give domes a chance.. A small village of domes that stand up to the next bad ones.....and, Pow... then domes all over the place.

A lot of people are loosing their land, and or selling out for nothing to casino vultures. Pas Christian is flattened... Begging for help. We can offer real solutions.


Our generation must stand up, and show the way. The old ways don't work so well anymore... Its Beautifull really.... Love is Action

Do you folks have interest to helping form a plan? I am a good organizer, but need technical help training teams of domebuilders. I gots connections and man power on the ground. We need a properly run salvage and building teams. Hands on.org and Global Cross roads, Americans friends service committee could provide volunteer labor. These people need safe shelter, and we can show them the way.

We need domebuilders... on the ground... to teach us, once we get it going, it willl take off on a life of its own...

We need alternatives to tents for these current and Future disasters

westbrook@gmavt.net

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Alternet Comments:

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Best efforts so far!
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Posted by: dpcosteajr on Sep 7, 2005 3:20 PM   
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This is the sort of article I expect from the most informed members of the Internet community!

Well done!

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Salvation Army Bigotry
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Posted by: thirdmg on Sep 7, 2005 3:51 PM   
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Thanks for listing those alternatives for offering donations and support.

It should be noted that the Salvation Army is a fundamentalist religious organization and was among those groups which demanded the right to discriminate in order to lend their support to Bush's Faith-based Initiative. Under the guise of religion and morality, the SA promotes discrimination and bigotry against millions of gays and lesbians in this country and throughout the world, and it officially discriminates against gays in its employment policies.

Justifiably, many gays, as well as their relatives and friends, view the SA as an organized hate group and will not contribute to it or to anyone who associates with it.

Until the SA decides to treat all people with equal dignity and respect, the act of re-directing charitable contributions to deserving organizations who do not maintain policies of discrimination will help contribute to a climate of tolerance and social justice for gays.

Think of the issue this way: regardless of need, if any charitable organization maintained an official policy of discrimination based on race, would it be socially acceptable or respectable?

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» RE: Salvation Army Bigotry Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Salvation Army Bigotry Posted by: cobrajet
» RE: Salvation Army Bigotry Posted by: mjgosselin

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NAACP Site was easy to use with a credit card
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Posted by: Sojourner on Sep 7, 2005 4:02 PM   
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Thanks for the nudge. I liked having a spectrum of choices. I chose the one who I would least mind getting followup solicitations from. I dropped my NAACP membership some years back just out of neglect.

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volunteering in NO
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Posted by: wizzard on Sep 7, 2005 5:34 PM   
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Anyone know of good orgs looking for helping hands with cleanup and/or rebuilding efforts in the months to come? I'm looking to get folks from NYC down to help out. Thanks.

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» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: Urstrly
» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: JoeC
» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: Rae
» RE: volunteering in NO Posted by: Abu Justice

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11. Challenge feckless Democrats
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Posted by: scotts on Sep 7, 2005 10:05 PM   
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For all the billions being pissed away in Iraq and on Bushco's security state propaganda apparatus, don't forget to also thank useless Democrats like John Kerry, Joe Leiberman, Hilary Clinton, and Joe Biden, for accomodating the Bush Administration's worst aspirations at every turn.

If/when Bush falls, it will be of his own weight, and nothing the Democratic party is doing. This is a crying shame.

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» you forget they were elected Posted by: beetruetoyou
» Excuses, but WHO? Posted by: bogey11
» Barak Obama!!! Posted by: beetruetoyou
» RE: 11. Challenge feckless Democrats Posted by: monkeywrench

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agitator church and state
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Posted by: eileenflmng on Sep 8, 2005 6:13 AM   
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The misery of thousands of American refugees offers us all an opportunity to DO SOMETHING!
American citizens are much better than the government we curently have.
American citizens have responded rapidly and generously.

May we all contribute to the enormous needs of our American sisters and brothers through the organizations listed above.

AND let us all DO SOMETHING about confronting our government that home land security should mean a secure home land.
-e.
www.wearewideawake.org

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An 11th way to help
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Posted by: dkm on Sep 8, 2005 6:19 AM   
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There is another site that should be mentioned, http://www.mcc.org/katrina/

The Mennonite Central Committee has been working in disaster relief for a very long time and has the experience to do it right. Not only do they know how to deliver the goods, so to speak, right after the event, but they stick with the problem for years after it has gone off the event horizon for everyone else.

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» RE: An 11th way to help Posted by: meprieb
» RE: An 11th way to help Posted by: beetruetoyou

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LakeLand Bob
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Posted by: lakelandbob on Sep 8, 2005 6:46 AM   
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I think an additional action of people within the progressive community would be to express appreciation to Presidents Castro and Chavez for their willingness to 'turn the other cheek' and offer aid to the US, and to urge your lawmakers to accept that aid with graitutde! Such a positive response would do a great deal to restore the US' tattered image in other parts of the world.

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» RE: LakeLand Bob Posted by: peg
» RE: LakeLand Bob Posted by: jcutler9

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don't forget the food!
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Posted by: Darnola on Sep 8, 2005 7:49 AM   
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we need to spend some time and money on repairing our seafood and agriclture industries. The farmers and fishers of our region want to be there to feed the returning, so need help! Baton Rouge Foundation can take money for those that want to support these members of our community..
Dar Wolnik
Crescent City Farmers Market staff

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Thank you for NOT including the American Red Cross on your list
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Posted by: mmcintyre on Sep 8, 2005 8:16 AM   
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An organization that is claiming to donate 100% of funds for the hurricane to the victims is America's Second Harvest food bank which I obtained off the NAACP website.

Unfortunately the company I work for will only match funds when employees donate to the Red Cross and will not match funds for other organizations but I donated to the food bank anyway.

I have choosen not to donate any future funds to the Red Cross because after 9/11 the funds they received were misappropriated and victims were claiming to have received little or no help. The Red Cross has raised approximately 43 million this time. It will be interesting to see how much really gets to the victims.

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Don't marginalize or complain about church groups.......
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Posted by: Quendi on Sep 8, 2005 11:03 AM   
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It must not be forgotten that for all their "ideological baggage", many church groups do a FANTASTIC job of getting help to those who need it, in a timely and truly Charitable (recall that the true meaning of "charity" is Love!) manner. The Mennonite Central Relief Committe has been mentioned - they are a top notch organization for certain, and DO have a good track record of sticking around to make sure the job is done properly. Another excellent church-based organization is ACS - Adventist Community Services (ADRA in other countries - Adventist Development and Relief Agency): they are a truly compassionate bunch, and well worthy of support. They do not generally solicit funds from the general public, but once a year usually in November, most Adventist churches have what they call "ingathering", when members go door to door to ask for funds for relief work and community services efforts and projects. They also approach businesses. Anyway, the relief effort will be going on in several states for many months or even years, and ACS/ADRA will be right there in the trenches, using donated funds in extremely efficient methods to get help to those who need it. I urge you not to forget them, or other hard-working church groups such as the Baptist Sharing Way and a host of others.

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Don't forget the animals!
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Posted by: swells on Sep 8, 2005 12:45 PM   
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One of the reasons many people have refused to evacuate is that rescuers have forced them to make a Hobbesian choice: You can go, but you must abandon your animal companions. Many refuse to do so choosing to remain in harms way.

Thousands of abandoned or lost animals are suffering slowly and dying in the aftermath of Katrina. Efforts are underway to rescue them and to care for them unitl they can be reunited with their families or re-homed.

Please don't forget these innocent victims. Here are some of the groups working on the scene to care for these victims that need your help:

Louisiana SPCA: http://www.la-spca.org/
United Animal Nations: http://www.uan.org/
Humane Society of the United States: http://www.hsus.org

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9/11 March to Bushville, DC - www.bushville.org
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Posted by: GeorgeBushytail on Sep 8, 2005 1:10 PM   
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9/11 March to Bushville, DC

On 9/11 survivors of Katrina will commit an act of Nonviolent Civil Disobedience by setting up an illegal camp on the Washington, DC Mall. Bushville, DC will stay there as long as it takes to get answers and change.

Visit http://www.bushville.org and spread the word.

We will camp on Bush's doorstep and make him face us every day until he is driven from power.

Join the March to Bushville, DC. If you can't make it on 9/11 visit us on 9/24.

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Join the IMPEACH BUSH March in DC
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Posted by: eburke on Sep 8, 2005 3:15 PM   
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Join the IMPEACH BUSH March in DC September 24th.

Show up and show congress and the senate that they will NOT be re-elected in 2006 unless they impeach this criminal in the White House.

Join the IMPEACH BUSH March in DC (click for more details) September 24th.

At the very least, click and download a sign about the protest and post it at your local market.

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What a Fabulous Idea !!!
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Posted by: kww355 on Sep 8, 2005 3:18 PM   
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Anybody remember the Bonus Marchers and "Hoovervilles" from history classes? The Katrina Survivors "Bushville" ought to make them look like pikers!!!

Not to wish anyone ill, but I hope a group of them stays clear through to the 2008 Presidential Elections. Maybe that will remind the American public that Republican "moral values" are just more lies.

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smuney2k@yahoo.com
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Posted by: smuney on Sep 8, 2005 4:36 PM   
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Has everyone forgotten about John Edwards? He certainly garnered a lot of support, and it seems we need a populist about now. Assuming his wife recovers, he's not out of the running.

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» RE: smuney2k@yahoo.com Posted by: kww355

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The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond
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Posted by: nycpearl on Sep 8, 2005 9:33 PM   
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The People's Institute for Survival and Beyond is a grassroots organization based in New Orleans who do trainings all over the country on Undoing Racism. They teach the real story of the history of racism in the US (A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn is one of the top books on their reading list) and they facilitate the kind of dialogue that is needed about the racial issues that still exist in this country that were made so obvious during the Katrina tragedy. Please consider visiting their website, and consider them in your donation efforts. Their offices are submerged and their staff have lost their homes. They will need money and help more than the Red Cross ever will. Thank you.

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Tipitina's fund to help NOLA artists/musicians
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Posted by: kaycee on Sep 9, 2005 9:10 AM   
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In addition to the nonprofits listed above, check out Tipitina's website:

http://www.tipitinas.com/default.asp

Tipitina's is one of New Orleans' legendary music clubs. They've got a nonprofit, "Tipitina's Foundation Artist Relief", that accepts donations, is publicizing some fundraisers (great music!) and is trying to find housing for musicians who've lost their homes. Tips is the real dea.

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Typical
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Posted by: johnny-boy2 on Sep 9, 2005 10:30 AM   
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Just couldn't offer ways to help without first taking a shot at the government could you?

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» RE: Typical Posted by: maxpayne
» RE: Typical Posted by: johnny-boy2
» RE: Typical Posted by: Nheduanna

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Tax The Rich
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Posted by: duriel on Sep 9, 2005 12:22 PM   
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There should be a 100% tax on incomes over $200,000 until the poor are taken care of, the deficit is paid off, a living wage is implemented and the nation's educational, environmental and health-care needs are fulfilled.

The rich are destroying this country and have to be stopped.

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» RE: Tax The Rich Posted by: snarej
» RE: Tax The Rich Posted by: johnny-boy2

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fredwahl
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Posted by: fredwahl on Sep 9, 2005 3:19 PM   
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Tax the rich ,feed the poor, until there aren't no rich no more

Fred

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remember community radio/media-also remembercompassion for animals/organizations supporting animals
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Posted by: sandcat on Sep 10, 2005 1:19 PM   
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Just a reminder to remember independent/alternative media!!! I work @ KFCF Fresno, listener-supported, grass-roots, free-speech, community radio; affiliate of KPFA Berkeley, part of the Pacifica network. These media outlets are a precious source of information, TRUTH, unbeholden to corporate interests!!! Without these alternative sources of information, a lot more people would be in the dark about the reality of things happening. Also, I would suggest remembering the organizations that help rescue animals, from pets to domesticated to wildlife, etc., animals suffer, too.

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Disaster Aid and shrinking FEMA--A New Paradigm
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Posted by: cj on Sep 10, 2005 7:44 PM   
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Hmmm. Let's think about this. The government from top to bottom screwed up. Private organizations and individuals stepped up to the plate before anyone in government could come out of a stupor. I believe that, if everyone wasn't waiting for FEMA et. al., we would have seen bus convoys coming from all over to get people out of the Superdome. In fact, people bringing supplies were turned away.

Maybe the answer isn't a bigger FEMA but a smaller one. One that can set up communications when local systems fail and can coordinate offers from everywhere (even Cuba) to where they need to go.

Let's take this opportunity to shrink bureaucracy in one tiny corner of this federal monster, especially in view of Bush's focus on militarizing everything. Do we really need the army, the National Guard ought to be sufficient. We should shift disaster responsibility to state and local governments. Maybe states with hurricanes self insure as state or regional entities. The same with floods in the Mississippi and Missouri River systems, California, etc. Maybe if local people were responsible for local disasters we'd have more environmentally responsible legislation as an option to constantly rebuilding flood plains, barrier reefs, etc.

I know, lots of maybes, but somehow, some way we have to get out of the rut of expecting more government (i.e. bureaucracy) to solve the problems created by bureaucratic ineptitude.

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empower the flood victims
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Posted by: rtdrury on Sep 11, 2005 2:11 AM   
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Nobody's talking about actually empowering the flood victims. How would you handle it if you were in their shoes? Ok, you need to find a way to communicate that to them. They need to learn that from you. A bottle of water is no substitute. How about training them for flood restoration? They need the training and the equipment. Or you can invest in Halliburton stock and have it do the cleanup at a 10x overcharge to the taxpayer. Do you want to empower Halliburton or do you want to empower the flood victims?

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Soul of America
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Posted by: Falang on Sep 11, 2005 11:36 AM   
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The cleaning started and the great compassionate soul of America is coming back on his feet. You have to admire the soul of that society, now if you want to buy a house who was priced $85000 in Baton Rouge before Katrina now you have to spend $235000, Bush and is neocons bodies at FEMA already give 3 cleaning and reconstruction contracts to their neocon friends, one to a subsidiary of Haliburton a other one to Shaw Group Inc. who is a client of the lobbyist Joe Allbaugh, President Bush's former campaign manager and a former head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the third who doesn't need much presentation is Bechtel Corp.

For Bechtel Corp and Halliburton we already know how they can do a very good job in Iraq loothing public reconstruction money.
If it not enough Bush had lift the Davis-Bacon law allowing federal contractors rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to pay below the prevailing wage. Now you will think that the law was lift to lower the price of the reconstruction but there is no law to force corparation to pass the economy to the governement.

Don't be gullible about the neocons speech about faith and value in America their only faith is in the green bills and their only value is greed and it reflect on many american to.

Now that the cleaning and reconstruction have started it is a open season for corporation and the Republican neocons to loot the public money for reconstruction.

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Back to animals for a moment
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Posted by: sandcat on Sep 13, 2005 4:22 AM   
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I read a very depressing, heartbreaking editorial the other day. As someone said previously, many people wouldn't evacuate and leave their animal companions behind. Someone mentioned an incident where a young boy had carried his dog with him all the way to the superdome, no doubt being comforted by his pet-only to have a police officer take the dog out of his arms and force the boy on the bus to evacuate without the dog. The boy was hysterical, the dog was howling, and the bus drove away while the boy watched his dog trying to run after him in the bus. And Mrs. Bush has the audacity to say "it's working out quite well for them". An idea: maybe in future disaster planning, these national animal advocate organizations could include a plan for lost/displaced animals-such as alternate shelters in safe areas. Those evacuating in advance could have a colored coded collar ( for city, neighborhood?) on their pet, along with tag, and a system for transporting animals to these alternate shelters in advance, including pick-up for those unable to transport. Then there would be a relatively organized clearinghouse for people to search for lost pets. It just seems to me that there are plenty of these agencies, (ASPCA, HSUS, etc) that are always soliciting money, it seems it should be do-able. If Cuba can do it, why can't America???

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Blood Out of a Turnip
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Posted by: Commie_Ricko on Sep 15, 2005 2:48 AM   
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Whenever and wherever trajedy strikes Americans are expected to cough up the cash. Well, I got news for you, Americans are strung out financially; kids, gas, taxes, credit card debt, doctor bills, co-pays, meds, car repairs, you name it, many of us just do not have any money and live pay day to pay day. As a retired handicapper I can say; go to George Bush and ask if he and his billionaire friends can give a little!

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ECLECTICIST S. JIM RODRIGUEZ
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Posted by: SJR505 on Sep 15, 2005 10:21 AM   
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As an American with over 300+ years of roots in Texas, and a family motto: "We did not come to the U.S., the U.S. came to us..." i am very proud to say that Texas or Tejas(meaning friendly) lived up to its definition...Our families in Houston opened our homes, hearts, and monies to support the evacuees...Our response were better than FEMA, the administration, Bush 43, and his cronies, to help our neighbors...Our theme is and was "It could have been the Houston/Galveston area very easily..."

But again, remember that the "road to hell is laid with good intentions..." And, like most of us we are waiting for the other shoe to drop"... And, as we found out that FEMA was not going to reimburse the ISD"s that accepted the evacuees's children in our schools without question...In essence, FEMA stated to stick the costs of education in your ear(s)...

And, "the beat goes on..."
S...JIM...RODRIGUEZ+++EL ECLECTICIST===
33333333333333333333333333333333

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Children helping children
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Posted by: chrysalide17 on Sep 16, 2005 2:28 PM   
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If you have children in schools or just want to help the displaced Katrina' children, please go to this link :
www.seedwiki.com/wiki/projectbackpack/projectbackpack.cfm
and see what you can do, and spread the word.
Thanks .
Chrysalide/Yvette/Therese

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Tents NEEDED
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Posted by: Abu Justice on Oct 24, 2005 8:37 AM   
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We have an immediate documented need of at least 1,000 Family size tents for
the homeless Families of East Biloxi Mississippi alone, due to Katrina the
devastator.

Please donate air mattress, tents and bedding. The Immediate need of medical
care, water, and food are being met for the moment, yet that could change
fast. Temporary housing, shower facilities are in great need, as several
families often are forced share unsafe, cramped and unsanitary conditions.
The few Red Cross shelters are expelling undocumented workers, that also
will need protection from the elements. The unused tent in your attic can
serve as a temporary home. Buying a tent to donate is a great form of direct
aid. Working with local and distant businesses and organizations, we will
truck, supply and distribute aid as needed directly. Come along and help us
if you like, as much is needed to be done and quickly.

For more information on how you can help, Please contact Tyler Westbrook of
Lincoln Vermont at 802 453 4503 and or Oxfam at the East Biloxi Community
Coordination and Relief Center, Megan Allchin at 650 242 9328, or Councilman
Bill Stallworth of The City of East Biloxi at 228 297 9187

If by Mail...Please Send Tents to Councilman Bill Stallworth 1726 Richards Drive Biloxi
Mississippi 39532

Donations can be tax deductible



Thank you kindly....

Now Wilma....



Tyler Westbrook and Family
118 Cold Spring Road
Lincoln Vermont 05443

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Callng all Domebuilders
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Posted by: Abu Justice on Oct 24, 2005 8:47 AM   
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Howdy Folks,

I am a Hurricane Katrina Relief Volunteer just back home in VT, from Biloxi Mississippi. The response to help was by the people who cared, We The People, that is. I helped through all the phases form Search and rescue ,to providing food water and medical care, then clothing, bedding and tents, gradually looking to long term solutions.
We need at least temporary wind resistant shelters for the thousands of Familys in need.
Now the people are facing rebuilding, stick frames and such, that are of course, doomed. I'm thinking domes, is, are ,and will be, an obvious solution. Plus im telling ya man.... there is LOTS of materials lying around, they are munching it all up and taking it to burn. Classic hand hewn, and sawn old heart pine beams, Cypress planks foot wide... just going to waste. 2 by fours by the billions... Its all still there... waiting to be burnt.. or reclaimed..
Building domes of recycled Material can be a real solution. I am thinking maybe with fiber reinforced concrete... I don't know see , you folks do. I think we have a real chance here of transforming a community. All this love coming in...Plus the power of reason... Domes have a chance... all we are saying is Give domes a chance.. A small village of domes that stand up to the next bad ones.....and, Pow... then domes all over the place.

A lot of people are loosing their land, and or selling out for nothing to casino vultures. Pas Christian is flattened... Begging for help. We can offer real solutions.


Our generation must stand up, and show the way. The old ways don't work so well anymore... Its Beautifull really.... Love is Action

Do you folks have interest to helping form a plan? I am a good organizer, but need technical help training teams of domebuilders. I gots connections and man power on the ground. We need a properly run salvage and building teams. Hands on.org and Global Cross roads, Americans friends service committee could provide volunteer labor. These people need safe shelter, and we can show them the way.

We need domebuilders... on the ground... to teach us, once we get it going, it willl take off on a life of its own...

We need alternatives to tents for these current and Future disasters

westbrook@gmavt.net

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