Please check-out my blog for another way to become active in Katrina Aid. UMCOR is a wonderful organization with a stellar reputation. Do not hesitate to give through this organization. I know I want to physically put something together to send, and they have specific kit (health and flood) requests. Just another way to help each other.

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~Penny

It seems like I'm just one step behind you today, ma'am :lol.

There is information from another site on my blog....they are collecting tangible items such as clothing and diapers and toys. They will be delivering the items to those folks who arrive in Houston...

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I really can't give money right now, which breaks my heart, but I plan on getting together some clothes that the kids have outgrown and donating them. I'm sure someone can use them. Since we have thousands of families here in the metroplex now from the hurricane, I'm sure anything at all is needed. Oh! And I just remembered I've got some jars of baby food that Olivia never used, I'll donate those too.

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Great ideas! I know any help, money or goods is a step in the right direction! Anyone know of other collection areas, drives, etc?

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~Penny

I know that Samaritan's Purse (the org that does Operation Child with the shoeboxes) is doing some hurricane aid...here is their website http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

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For the Texas girls here, just about all the fire departments are collecting canned goods to hand out. Of course with Texas taking in 250,000 refugees, just about everyone is collecting something. You might check your local shelters and see if there are any families there that need help. Tons of hotels and apartments are hosting families that still need things. And of course don't forget all the little 4 legged guys too. So many pets have been abandoned and agencies that help with pet rescue also need money and supplies.

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I also want to add this from another forum I frequent. It was an email from the posters sister who is working in the Astrodome.

"On Friday, I worked at the Astrodome , along with my friend Debbie. We worked in the psychiatric crisis tent, as Debbie is a psychiatrist and I am a crisis counselor. The need is so overwhelming, it is hard to know where to start. Volunteers often have to catch themselves when thoughts of the enormity of the crisis shed doubts as to what difference one person can make. These must be
quickly put behind as cries for help are nonstop.

As we talked with people in a psychiatric crisis, it is heart- wrenching to hear their distress as they worry about the fate of their missing loved ones. We want to cry along with them, as this is
something we can not help resolve. We make cardboard signs for them to carry, probably an exercise in futility, but at least it gives
them a small measure of control.. Children, having nothing to do, are hard to control by weary parents stuggling to conceal their emotions, attempting to put on a brave front for the sake of their children. When they can no longer bear the pain, we see them in the psychiatric crisis tent, broken and crying in our tent.

Many are without needed medications. But, thanks to the charity of scores of doctors , nurses, and pharmacists, these needs are assessed, prescriptions are written, then medications are obtained through the generosity of drug stores, pharmaceutical companies and hospitals. Others are needing shoes, underwear and clothing. We saw
elderly women, crying over the embarrassment of not having underwear. Clothes are being donated and distrubtued, but underwear is almost non-existent. Tolietries and personal hygiene items are also being donated and received with much gratitude.

Weary victims stuggle as they carry all they have left in plastic garbage bags, an unspoken message of those discarded by Katrina. These bags often tear, are hard to carry, and unfortunately are at
times taken when victims desperate for rest, close their eyes hoping for brief respite from the horror.

As this crisis will not soon resolve, a suggestion for help would be to buy backpacks, duffle bags and other canvas carriers. They could be filled with underwear, clothes, toiletries, and for the children a toy or two. The Red Cross supplies basic tolietries: toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes and other items, ,but again they are in plastic
bags. The canvas carriers could be labeled with sex and sizes for easy distribution. These bags would be easy to carry, would not tear, and most importantly would allow each man, woman and child a sense of having something of their own. Perhaps even sending a message that those discarded by Katrina, are valuable and not dispoable to the caring people of Houston."


Just another suggestion on how to help!!! I'm sure the local Red Cross would take these donations wherever you are.

So sad! I pray for these people daily! But I too don't have the money so I've gotten formula, bottles & food together so far. I'll be checking out what I have for bags and clothing to send tomorrow.

Lori

I came back to add something, but Lori's post touched on it briefly. If you want to donate something other than money, like it says above, parents are having a hard time keeping their children occupied and out of trouble. Go by the dollar store and pick up some little toys, books, games and the like for the kids.

One city here in Texas is collecting backpacks. They plan on filling them with this sort of things for the kids. Small toys, books, games, cards, crayons, coloring books, just anything to help keep the kids busy while their parents try to figure out what happens next.

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