Katrina Disaster Relief Effort

[Smiling JOe]

This is an email I received from the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors which gives relevant info for the relief efforts.

From: JENNIFER DODGE

This a Red Cross organized website I saw in the Northwest Florida Daily
News.
http://www.hurricanehousing.org/results.html?zip=70112&distance=350

You can post offers to house evacuees, and evacuees can find housing.
* * * * * * * * * *
From: MARY DEB ESPOSITO

We are willing to provide housing for some people. contact us at
218-1790 or 218-1791. thanks, Jim & Deb Esposito
* * * * * * * * * *
From: JENNIFER GREGORY

Anyone who desperately needs a place to stay, Laguna Beach Christian
Retreat on the West End of Panama City Beach is offering a FREE place to
stay for refugees, as well as three meals a day. They have told me they
will offer rooms and as much assistance to refugees for two-three
months. Please share the word with anyone you know that might not even have
the means to pay for a rental home or hotel.
They are filling up fast, however. Their direct number is 850-636-7643

I also have a clean mobile investment prop willing to open up to anyone
in need....FREE stay, fully furnished, pets OK, I know that is hard for
some people. 2 BR, 2 BA....
Please call me directly at 850-960-6811 if you know of anyone in need
that can not afford rental property or hotel.
Thanks
Jen Gregory
* * * * * * * * * *
From: Frances Oliver

MY daughter's school, Emerald Coast Middle School had their 1st open
house last night. A fellow parent and employee of Topsail Hill State
Park, gave info for the State Parks, cost for sites will depend on ability
to pay, if they cannot afford to pay, they will not have to. This
applies to all the State Parks in Fl.

The toll free # for Reserve America is 1-800-326-3521. Topsail
Hill-850-267-0299, and Grayton Beach State Park is 850-231-4210.
* * * * * * * * * *
From: KEVIN VEACH

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

The response was tremendous. We delivered 82 bags and boxes of clothes
and several blankets, cribs and other baby items. Way to step up and
help.

A few folks are dropping items off to me on Tuesday. I will make
another run on Wednesday morning.
* * * * * * * * * *
From: DIANE KELLER

At one time our realtors had blood drives. I just gave blood and they
indicated that there are severe blood shortages.
* * * * * * * * * *
From: MARILUE MARIS

For those accommodations who do not allow pets, the below is a link to
a document that includes contact information for area kennels to share
with evacuees looking for shelter for their pets.

Also, Emerald Coast Kennel, Santa Rosa Beach, has opened their kennels
to displaced animals and will be in need of dog and cat food, kitty
litter, and monetary donations. You can contact Diane Croft at 267-1679
for more information.

In addition, if you personally wish to open your home to pets or know
of someone who can, please contact our local Red Cross, Ms. Ann
McKinnie, at 892-6297 or 892-5819.

 

[SGB]

The parents at Butler Elementary are working very hard to help the evacuated families in our area that are enrolling their children in school. There have been more than 100 new students enrolled at Butler in the last few days. We expect even more after Labor Day.

Each student is receiving a backpack filled with school supplies. You wouldn't believe the tears that well up in the parents' eyes when you hand their child a filled backback. All evacuated children will also get a free hot lunch for the next 45 days. This simple act means so much to parents when they realize they don't have to worry about sending a lunch in with their child or worry about shopping for school supplies. The staff at Butler was amazing today. All day they were bombarded with emotional people that were enrolling their children in school, and all day they were cheerful, encouraging and supportive. Never did they indicate that they couldn't handle the massive influx of children and the parents were totally reassured and could at least feel good about where their children were going to school.

Many groups in the area have contributed the school supplies and backpacks, but we ran out today. Butler is accepting school supply and backback donations. They are also accepting new and gently used clothing, especially for children of all ages K-5th. Many of the children showing up at school only have 2 outfits with them. The parents will be organizing the clothing on Tuesday, and on Wednesday-Friday evacuees can come in to Butler and choose the clothes that they need. Other items that are needed include:toiletries and new underwear and socks. We'd appreciate any contributions people are able to make.

Butler will need more volunteers to help with the larger classes and the increased work load on the teachers and staff. If you'd like to volunteer to make copies, read with children, work in the classroom, monitor the lunch room or other tasks, go into the office and let them know. (you might want to wait a few days since the office will be very busy processing new students)

 

[Kurt]

DirecTV channel 100 is full time Katrina information.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Please remember to give some help in whatever form possible. Both the Red Cross and Salvation Army need our help.

Two other ways in which I am giving, and encourage each of you to do the same, is by giving blood. Blood banks in the SouthEast are sure to be low. Give in your own town. The needle stings a small bit, but knowing that you could be saving someone's life, removes all pain. It only takes a moment of your time. I am a regular donor to the Northwest Florida Blood Center, and give every two months. Please pass along a little life.

Also, another way I am about to give is to clean the closets and drawers. I will be donating those suits and dress shirts to which I have been unneccessarily clinging. Maybe, I was just waiting for the right cause to come along. Many locations in SoWal are accepting these donations. I encourage you to go into your closets, find one piece of clothing that you have not worn in the last 12 months, and donate it today. I bet you will be surprised with the quantity of clothes from which to choose. Nothing says that you have to give only one article. Have a blast and remember the smiles on the faces of the people who will be receiving something that is of no use to you.

 

[Kurt]

Information on displaced pets

 

[Jdarg]

More things to find in your closet--and shelters really need--

shampoo/conditioner/lotion/soap- all the little hotel bottles that are lurking in your linen closet

towels/washcloths

And if you get to the store- baby needs and feminine supplies

One of our local charities has asked that people take shoe boxes and make personal care kits- soap, shampoo, deoderant, shaving stuff,etc. Label the contents and male or female on the outside. The shoe box size makes it easy to ditribute.

Salvaton Army and other collection centers need pallet wrap, packing tape, plastic bags, etc.

 

[pcolabchnut]

We have started a "grassroots effort" here in Pensacola Beach" to help out a community in Gautier, Mississippi. We have talked to a lady by the name of SUNNY WILSON, she owns a deli there that survived the storm. Long story short she is feeding around 200 people everyday at no charge. They are running out of supplies, she has pretty much funded this out of her checking account which is just about gone. We are asking any and all to help her out in this time of need. She is working closely with Martin Bluff Baptist Church, pastor Eric Smith, across the street from her. They need just about everything. Some of the outlying areas are really in bad, bad, shape. Many of her friends and customers are trying to get supplies to these folks as they come in. The red cross is there, but, are running out of suppllies daily. We are just asking any and all to help her out if you can. Her phone # is 228-497-7073 at the deli. The best time to call is before 10am, and after 2pm. We have additional info on a fund at a bank there that has been verified to send money to. There is more info available at www.pensacolanewsjournal.com as well as www.pensacolabeachtoday.com. We have "drop sites" on Pensacola Beach" and the response has been wonderful. (see urgent need for help thread on pnj, and katrina assistance on pcola bch today) Also, more info is available at tsanders63@hotmail.com and islandmist4all@hotmail.com Please take a moment out of your busy day and contact us or SUNNY in Gautier direct. Thank you. :clap_1:

 

[pcolabchnut]

HERE IS SOME ADDITIONAL INFO;

Robin's Deli
Attn: Sunny Wilson
7504 Martin Bluff Road
Gautier, Ms. 39553 (UPS, FEDEX, GREYHOUND DELIVERING THERE)

Danah's Hair Studio
33 Via De Luna Drive
Pensacola Beach, Fl. 32561 (collecting donations, supplies, etc.)

Paddy O'Leary's Irish Pub
49 Via De Luna Drive
Pensacola Beach, Fl. 32561 (collecting donations, supplies, etc.)

Thanks again, please just grab an envelope, put a couple bucks in it and send it to Sunny direct if you can. :clap_1: You really will help out by doing this.

 

[Beach Runner]

CNN reports C-130's spraying NOLA for mosquitoes. What a toxic cesspool!

I was talking to an acquaintance whose child got a huge academic scholarship to Tulane (as did mine, but she chose MIT which only gives need-based $, so we had to pay the full $42,000 per year - YIKES!). In any case, her child is attending another university because TU is closed this semester. But if her child doesn't re-enroll in TU in January, her child loses the scholarship. Will NOLA even be acceptable by January? What a dilemma! I mean, NOLA was kind of sketchy (my daughter's terminology) before Katrina, but as a Tulane alumna, I adore that town and that school. What to do?????

BTW we are contributing to Katrina relief. We have offered our house at Seagrove to our displaced Tulane friends, so please don't come down on me as being insensitive to those who can't afford $42,000 a year for tuition/room/board. I know how brutal some of you can be.

But I still love this board because you entertain and educate me.

 

[NDMom]

INFORMATION AND JOB FAIR FOR KATRINA EVACUEES

PERSONS AFFECTED BY HURRICAN KATRINA ARE URGED TO ATTEND:​

WHEN: Friday - Sept 23, 2005 8:00am to 5:00pm

Human Resource representative from, St. Joe Company Seaside The Tourist Development Council Silver Sands Personnnel Resources and more........

Representative from area relief agencies will be on hand to provide comprehensive information about: Medical Educational and Social Resources.

WHERE: Seaside Lyceum Meeting Room (Smolian Circle - Seaside)

Directions From Hwy 393: go to Hwy 30-A and head west approx 3/4 mile to Quincy Circle - go to first Stop Sign (Smolian Circle) Lyceum building will be on your left. Go to the Second Floor - westernmost room.

Directions From 283: Go to Hwy 30-A and head east approx 1 1/2 miles to Quincy Circle to the first Stop Sign (Smolian Circle) Lyceum building will be on your left. Go to the Second Floor - westernmost room.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: 850.231.3209 or 850.231.0077​