Here's a possible bright side.....

Red Cross Seeks Disaster Volunteers

The Red Cross depends on volunteers to provide disaster services to the community - before, during and after a hurricane.

The American Red Cross of Northwest Florida is seeking volunteers from
the community to assist with shelter operations in the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina.

"Additional local volunteers will be needed to support the relief effort
in Northwest Florida. We anticipate providing shelter and meals for
storm evacuees in the days following Katrina's landfall," said Rosanne
Kelly, Senior Director of Volunteers.

The Red Cross will provide free on-the-job training with an experienced
shelter manager.

Those interested in becoming a disaster volunteer should call their
nearest Red Cross office:

Escambia County - 850.432.7601
Santa Rosa County - 850.626.7333
Okaloosa County - 850.682.3356
Walton County - 850.892.6297

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by
voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can
help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and thousands of other disasters
across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide
shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call
1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the
Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross
chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC
20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting
www.redcross.org.

You got it MB...I'm on board.

Thanks Kurt. It won't be just NO that needs help, but there are 1.5 million people in that area and the pictures of those poor people lined up - IN THE RAIN - with sacks and coolers waiting to get into the Super Dome is a heart breaker. Before we fix the world, the let's fix our families.

I just gave online...anybody else???

As I posted on another thread:

I hope everyone with rentals in SoWal will reduce their prices, or perhaps waive the rental fees for people from New Orleans and surrounding areas who need shelter. We could be great neighbors to the states to our west. Please at least consider doing this. Please, these folks need our help.

Blood banks are going to be very low after this storm. Remember that giving blood is another way to help these victims of Ma Nature. I am sure there will be numerous ways in which we can help, and I, too, urge each and every one of you to give to these people in some meaningful way. We may be in need one day too. Give with all your heart can afford.

(Thanks for bringing this up, WU.- any way to edit your thread title to something refering to giving?)

I tried to change the thread name - maybe Kurt can keep it permanently at the top with a different heading. This is going to be the worse disaster to strike the US this century - more than 911. These people are water lovers, like ourselves, they are southern, like many of us, it's as "pure" an American city as Boston or New York with the oldest architecture and history that you'll find in our country - maybe more so because it's always represented the brighter, happier side of life. It's been an escape and welcome 24-7 cocktail party for so many who are suffocating from the tensions of war, jobs, and the "crystal white powdered sand" that's just, well, crystal white .

My husband and I are born and raised Louisianians, and your compassion is very touching. I plan to get involved. We have a lot of family in South Louisiana, and we are praying for everyone in the path of this terrific and terrible storm.

If we still have a place there, we'll scrape out the mud when we can and anyone from the area that wants to help will have a place to stay - on the floor and maybe without power - as long as we have room.

Spoke with a neighbor of ours, Michael, about thirty minutes ago. He's 21, delivers food by bicycle for the Verti Mart, a small deli in the French Quarter. He has no car, rents a small apartment and has no way to leave. He's been in line to get into the Super Dome for over three hours - part of the time in the dark and most of the time is a small drizzle to pouring rain with no cover.

Spoke with a neighbor of ours, Michael, about thirty minutes ago. He's 21, delivers food by bicycle for the Verti Mart, a small deli in the French Quarter. He has no car, rents a small apartment and has no way to leave. He's been in line to get into the Super Dome for over three hours - part of the time in the dark and most of the time is a small drizzle to pouring rain with no cover.

Tell him that he can stay with me for a while in SoWal if he wants or needs to.

I still want to encourage everyone to put some of this real estate money to a good cause - the Red Cross. If you give, let us know so it will encourage more to do so. And thanks, Joe. If he can get out, I'll keep it in mind.

I live in Baton Rouge, not that far from N.O. You care and concern is appreciated. Thanks.

... And thanks, Joe. If he can get out, I'll keep it in mind.

Just let me know. I have a bicycle that he can use to scoot around here, too. Let him know that I have two big dogs in the house.

Just let me know. I have a bicycle that he can use to scoot around here, too. Let him know that I have two big dogs in the house.

That's kind of you Joe. He will probably need a place to stay after Katrina is well past. Seeing these people stuck in NO with no transportation made me want to drive in with a semi and just load as many people as possible and start driving north. :( How frightening to be stranded there with no assurance of anything.

And it's the massiveness of it all. Ivan was horrible, but taking that misery and its multipliers is heartbreaking for me. Here, it seems we've all been so caught up in real estate and appreciation and old vine reds that we're close to losing our souls (I'm counting myself too). Here's a chance to get them back and show why living on the coast isn't just about great views and days in the sand, but about people sticking together - just as much as New York.

That's kind of you Joe. He will probably need a place to stay after Katrina is well past. Seeing these people stuck in NO with no transportation made me want to drive in with a semi and just load as many people as possible and start driving north. :( How frightening to be stranded there with no assurance of anything.

I am good for housing a few guests in need for 2-3 months if that is enough to help them get back on their feet.

I am good for housing a few guests in need for 2-3 months if that is enough to help them get back on their feet.

You are a sweet, kind man SJ!!! I am so looking forward to meeting you in person some day!!!!

I am good for housing a few guests in need for 2-3 months if that is enough to help them get back on their feet.

SJ-

Its getting real bad here in Montgomery. I may have to come down and stay for a couple months okay?

SJ-

Its getting real bad here in Montgomery. I may have to come down and stay for a couple months okay?

Only, if you are truely in need, and take me fishing when you go.:lol: