A good news thread

[Behind the Aegis]

I thought it would be nice to have a thread highlighting the good in human nature. It can be about your personal donations, something your company is doing, a positive story from the center of the disaster, DU'ers from the affected area can 'check-in' and let people know they are OK. It can even be about the media getting balls and reporting the real stories.

This is not to diminish the tragedy. I know that with all the horrible things coming out of that area, it would be nice to know there is still some good.

So...I'll start...

My partner and I have already donated a few hundred dollars. His company has given their employees in that area $5000 for immediate assistance. There are in the process of creating $100,000 loans, interest free. They are doing an employee fund-raising match program.

Other news: Walt Disney Co. has donated 2.5 million to the effort, with more coming.

The Audubon zoo escaped major damage and the animals are being cared for.

What can you report?

[shireen]

1. Swamprat's mom is safe n/t

[Spazito]

2. Vancouver rescue team members head for Louisiana

More than 45 members of Vancouver's urban search and rescue team left for Louisiana Wednesday night with two truckloads of gear to help with Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts.

"We have no idea how many people we'll see but we'll do what we can for them while we're down there," said team member Bob Alexander, a superintendent with the B.C. Ambulance Service.

The team left at 8 p.m. on a chartered flight to Lafayette, La., a few hours after the order for their deployment was issued following a request by the governor of Louisiana, B.C.'s Solicitor-General John Les said in an interview Wednesday.

"Several days ago, we had made the offer that our team was ready to go, so about mid-afternoon today, we got a call from the governor's office and they wanted our team to come in," he said.

more

http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=b3dd2ad3-7e6c-4c22-a3b0-d2fc7db4b7db

[William769]

3. I took my vacation savings (have not had a vacation in 3 years)

And donated it today to the red cross.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. THAT is AWESOME!!

:yourock:

[SaveAmerica]

5. I have a feeling you'll still get your vacation, things have a funny

way of happening like that : ). That was sweet.

[Midlodemocrat]

6. My husband just got a bonus and we are donating $5000.

I can't think of a better use for the money.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Fats Domino has been found ALIVE!!