From Hillary...
Dear Friend,
As we learn more about the destruction and loss caused by Hurricane Katrina, I know each of us is thinking about what we can do. If you have not already made a contribution to aid in hurricane relief efforts, I hope that you will do so by going to:
https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp As I said yesterday when I visited the Red Cross office in New York, my heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, who are faced with not only devastating personal losses, but also with the widespread destruction of their communities.
New Yorkers will never forget the generosity that descended upon New York City four years ago in our time of need, nor the enormous difference it made in our efforts to cope and to rebuild in the face of great tragedy.
I'm going to the New York State Fair in Syracuse tomorrow, and will be talking about Katrina, and how we can work together to reach out to the people who have lost so much. If you're going to the Fair, I hope you'll come by to say hello. And please join me in sending our thoughts, our prayers and our help.
Sincerely,
Hillary Rodham Clinton
From Kerry:
This is a time for all Americans to pull together and do everything we can to assist people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.
If you haven't acted already, I urge you to join in delivering immediate help to the people who need it most. One way to do that is to support the relief and recovery efforts of the Red Cross with a personal donation.
Donate to the Red Cross
As we hold those who are going through so much pain and suffering in our prayers, I know you'll do everything you can to reach out and help.
Sincerely,
John Kerry
P.S. There are a host of other volunteer relief agencies doing essential life-saving work in this emergency. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is coordinating the federal government's response efforts, has posted a list of recommended groups on its website.
From John Edwards...
Dear Friend,
Hurricane Katrina is one of the worst natural disasters our nation has seen in recent memory. You've probably seen the same startling images I have: houses flooded to the roofs, entire neighborhoods destroyed and abandoned, men and women and children scrambling for safety. It's a moment of great sorrow for our nation, and I know you join me in extending deepest sympathies to those who are suffering.
Like me, you probably want to help. A good place to start is the American Red Cross, which is directly involved in the Katrina relief effort. Donations to the Red Cross pay for much needed food, water, blankets, medication, shelter, relief personnel, and more. And through your local Red Cross chapter you can even volunteer to travel to the affected region and provide on-the-ground assistance. Another place to check would be the Web site of your local paper, which most likely lists additional organizations involved in the effort.
Thank you for stepping forward in this time of crisis. When individual Americans help each other, we as a nation are at our best.
- John
From Howard Dean...
This week millions of Americans fled Hurricane Katrina. Across the South families abandoned their homes and businesses, not knowing what would be there when they returned.
Many stayed behind and suffered devastating loss and injuries -- nearly a hundred have died that we know of, and hundreds of thousands need our help.
America is at its best when we realize that we are one community -- that we're all in this together. That means that each one of us has the responsibility to do what we can to help the relief effort.
The Red Cross is a great place to start:
http://www.redcross.orgThey are already moving people and resources into the region to help. Donations will provide clean water, food, and shelter for disaster victims. The Red Cross web site also has important information for victims and their relatives across the country.
Many local Red Cross chapters are organizing volunteers to travel to affected areas -- doctors and nurses to provide medical care, workers to build shelters, first responders to assist in rescue operations.
You can find your local chapter here to learn what you can do:
http://www.redcross.org/where/chapts.aspWe are still learning the full story of the devastation, but there is no time to wait. Please do something now.
Thank you.
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.
And that's just the email I've received.