Canadians : because of the distance, we can't provide some of the immediate things that are needed, but these people are going to need to be sustained in the weeks and months ahead, and that's going to take money.
To get your tax receipt you should donate through the Canadian Red Cross www.redcross.ca/

Also, the Canadian Mennonite Central committee has committed to send 600 Disaster service volunteers to help with the clean up and rebuilding. This is a very reputable organization. To donate or be involved: http://www.mds.mennonite.net/Home

If you are Roman Catholic the Catholic Charities of Canada will be collecting donations and forwarding them to the Catholic Charities USA, who will be working directly with families to help in any way they can. Again, this is so you can obtain a Canadian income tax receipt. Contact your local Roman Catholic Parish. I understand there will be envelopes distributed in the parishes next week.

Americans: I learned today that there are long waiting times to get through to the American Red Cross because of the sheer volume of people trying to make online donations. They have partnered with Yahoo so you can make donations to the RedCross through them.

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Lynda C
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Our county has a website and is posting online ads for donations. The host families leave their address and what the families specifically need. The families are totally starting over so they need everything.
I am cleaning out house as we speak, wonderful idea about toys too will be sure to pick some up.

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Dani B.

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If you want to donate the American Red Cross is a reputable charity and will give you the proper documentation for the tax deduction. You should donate at the website as the phones can't handle the traffic. I donated just the other day to the website and had no problem completing the transaction. The site is
americanredcross.org

I think the idea about toys is great. I'm from Chicago does anyone know who I might donate toys to for the Katrina victims?

Colleen

www.48bottlesofwater.com

a $10 donation will provide 48 bottles of water.

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