More ways to help....
It's not my intention to turn the Daily Yak into a hurricane blog, but at the same time I feel a sense of obligation, just as a fellow human being, to reach out and help in some way. So, though I will be returning to "regular programming" shortly, I will continue to post info on the Katrina disaster.
FYI - As mentioned previously, I am attempting to organize teams of volunteers to help evacuees who arrive in our area. Each team would have at its core, a volunteer who is willing and able to house a displaced family. Other team members would then volunteer to support that family through financial aid, food/meal prep, clothing, pre-paid phone cards, local transportation, etc. My hope is that more people would probably get involved, especially in donating housing, if they knew they wouldn't be alone and could count on support. This team concept would also give people a very real, focused, local way to help with the relief efforts.
If you're in the Montgomery County, Maryland, area and are willing to help out in any way, please let me know! Leave a message in the comments section, or send an email to [russ at louch dot org].
I've heard from a number of people about other ways to help as well. Here are a few I thought sounded interesting:
Ed Terry of Democracy for Maryland suggested helping the police officers and firefighters in the effected areas. They may have lost everything, and are victims themselves, but stayed on the job to help their communities:
Sue Kirk of Action In Montgomery passed along a message about a church in Baton Rouge that is taking in evacuees and feeding them. They could use cash donations. Send checks (payable to "St Francis Xavier Church" and include "Hurricane Katrina help" in the memo) to:
Father Lowell Case
St Francis Xavier Church
1143 S 11th St
Baton Rouge, LA 70802-4997
David Salie of PartyLaunch.com forwarded a message about nationwide "house parties" to raise relief funds. They're looking for people to host or attend parties on the evening of September 10th. Guests/hosts can donate online via a secure site and direct their contributions to one of foour established charities. Volunteer to host a party, or find a party near you, online at:
Please let me know if you hear of any other interesting ways to help in the relief effort!
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