So, DU'ers, What have YOU done to help out?

[bac511]

Start a list. I want to know what we have done and what still needs to be done.

[Walt Starr]

1. #1, I paid federal taxes that should be used to support FEMA

beyond that, I've donated cash to the relief.

My wife and I discussed loading up our vehicle with water and food, then taking a drive South this Labor Day Weekend.

[Waya]

9. Ditto.....

[JimmyJazz]

16. Be careful if you do so. First: I know you want to help, but desperate

people do desperate things. You may not be safe, I'm sorry to say. Also, keep in mind that in certain areas, gas stations are out of gas. It wouldn't do anyone any good if you ended up stranded there yourself.

If you really want to go, I'm sure churches and other charitable organizations are going with packages, etc. You might want to join up with them as there is safety in numbers.

I hate to throw a wet blanket on your passion and your compassion, but it might be better to donate to the red cross at this time and save your trip for when it's safer and more stable. :(

[omshanti]

49. Food drive to donate to the Food Bank

I'm organizing a food and paper product drive in my neighborhood and plan on driving it to the local (NC) food bank which says they will send food to affected areas.

Also sending a small cash donation to Second Harvest. Am contacting my relatives' places of worship to try and get them to help house some of the evacuees.

I wish I could do more. BAC511 - what have YOU done?

Edit: oops - posted in reply to wrong post.

[demo dutch]

34. My experience during Andrew was unless you're a resident you don't get in

Especially in areas where martial law has been declared. Better to sign up as a volunteer with organizations like the Red cross, etc.

[sallyseven]

48. Gave money to the Second Harvest

100. dollars. broke my food budget for the week.

[apnu]

2. I have no money, and no food right now...

... but, when I get paid on the 15th I'll be donating 1/3 of my paycheck to the Red Cross. I'm also going to be giving blood as often as I can. in the coming months.

[tazkcmo]

3. Donate

I don't make much but every day after waiting' tables I give a minimum of 5 bucks to Red Cross.

[classof56]

44. Bless you, tazkcmo. And welcome to DU!

Good to have you on board.

[Sparkman]

71. Great method. Investing in America as the money comes in.

[bleedingheart]

4. Donated to Red Cross and called my representatives here in PA to

bitch about how lousy their GOP minions are. my reps are Santorum, Specter and Murphy...i am so ashamed.

I am going to go through all the clothes in the house and donate all my children's clothes that no longer fit to any agency helping victims.

But I want to do more!!!!!

[PA Democrat]

62. Same here bleedingheart.

I always try to calmly plead my case when I have called my reps in the past, but I was FURIOUS when I called on Wednesday.

I told Santorum's staffer that I had received a letter from Santorum pushing for more tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans on the same day that I was watching fellow Americans dying for want of basic human necessities. I said that I was horrified that a man who constantly spouts his "Christian" credentials did nothing to live up to Christ's admonishments that we are to help the least fortunate. I said that the Senator should start reading his Bible and stop thumping it because God was watching.

Sick greedy pigs. I have donated to the Red Cross, but I am IRATE over the amount of taxpayers money that is being squandered on the instruments of death and destruction.

[bleedingheart]

67. I cited Senator Prick's letter about tax cuts as well...said he should be

ashamed.

What a first class demonic asshole!!!

[JohnnyBoots]

173. Where is there a clothes drop off in Pitt?

[nonconformist]

5. I donated to Red Cross

And I payed taxes for FEMA.

[msongs]

6. red cross donation nt

[seabeyond]

i am using the connections i have in my city to org contribution

distribution. and i am being aligned with some nifty people. we are talking short and long term.

[bryant69]

7. Sent in money to the redcross

I was going west to help in the clean up efforts in Alabama, but the trip has been cancelled (well postponed till next weekend) due to gas problems. I won't be able ot go on that trip, but intend to support it.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[jus_the_facts]

8. this...fwiw....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3948174

[tk2kewl]

10. I work for government in NY and have volunteered to go down to LA & MS

just waiting to hear when

[flygal]

11. $100 to Red Cross - PLEASE if you have a better way to donate more

let me know. If Red Cross is the best way to help people we'll be coughing up more tonight.

[Don Claybrook]

12. Here's a list

I've called and emailed my 3 elected officials, DEMANDING action. I've called Landreau's office to demand that she get the hell out of the way or start doing something. I've written to about 7 media outlets, praising or excoriating as necessary. Made plans to get some money sent that way on the 15th of the month (don't worry, they'll still need it then), started getting clothes together to send to someone, anyone, and have started conversations with my wife about how to make our home available to people who don't have a home.

What have you done?

[havocmom]

Like Walt, taxes, donations AND vigilance over OUR government

You think ANYTHING would be done at all if people like those at DU were not screaming bloody murder at press and government officials? BUSHCO does nothing for PEOPLE unless they are forced to, and then, it is grudgingly and they sure as hell drag their heels.

How about you, bac511? What have you done? Oh, and welcome to DU.

[bac511]

30. Thats why I posted this... I want to know what to do...

I can donate some money to Red Cross. I could send some old clothes down to the families, but I don't know where to send them.

I work in tourism, and our local office talked our state tourism bureau into donating $1000 to each of the three state tourism bureaus affected by the hurricane. We are challenging others states to do the same.

Our local office has adopted two families of 12 that made there way to our town from Louisanna to stay with relatives. They are stuck here without anything for God knows how long. One of the families husband is stuck down there still...he's a police officer. So we have been asking local businesses to donate anything to these two families.

But, I know I could do more...

[havocmom]

54. Contact church groups if you have material goods to donate.

Some churches keep clothes, domestic goods (pots, pans, dishes) to give to families who lose all, like in fires and such.

Contact your local humane shelter. Animals are also homeless now. They need donations for animals too.

Go to http://www.democrats.org/ They have had hurricane help links up and featured since Tuesday. The RNC site, in contrast, had this up as the main freature on their site: (note, THEY have links to how one can help the GOP, important contrast to the DEM party site)



And make sure you make plenty of noise, LTTE, calls to your Congressman's office, calls into radio shows. Make them know you are not gonna accept letting people die of thirst in America. Let them know you are NOT happy that bush* was golfing, going to fund raisers, playing guitar and EATING CAKE while people were drowning.

Make noise and let them know YOU are America and the lack of timely response by this administration is NOT acceptable to you.

edit change word

[leftofthedial]

13. I've organized and promoted a benefit concert tonight

ten bands/performers

all proceeds to the relief effort

[Roxy66]

107. Where will it be?.....Info please

[Karmageddon]

126. That's awesome leftofthedial. Where's the concert? Who's playing?

if it's close enough, I'll show up and help support it.

I also donated money and blood.
They'll need plenty of both.

[lancdem]

14. Donated to Mennonite Central Committee

a worldwide relief organization headquartered in the county where I live. They're wonderful.

[Ruby Romaine]

15. more than Bush has done! we pay more than our share of taxes-

donate to charity etc

[Allenberg]

17. Donated blood/cash, paid taxes. (n/t)

[AlCzervik]

18. My husband and i donated the money we were saving to go away for our

anniversary to the red-cross and we will donate more when we get paid again.

[gollygee]

19. Given money

I wish I had a fleet of buses.

[DanCa]

20. Ivoted for al gore and senator kerry

Who's environmental policies would have lessened this mess.
I have been in contact with my church a real church to help organize a food and clothing drive. I have given phone cards for the armed forces who should not be an iraq. What have you done .

[Pallas180]

21. 54 Posts wants to know what we've done. WHY?

.

[meganmonkey]

50. See post #30 - he/she explains that they are looking for ideas

of how to help.

[Donailin]

145. I put an ad on Craigs list offering my home and a way to get here

to any Katrina mom with one or two kids. And donated to RC. I don't have an extra bedroom, but I can convert a family room or dining room. I have a king sized mattress and a roof and running water and there are plenty of jobs here and public transportation. I have three kids of my own, I'm a single parent but we have been through plenty of hard times and we know what it's like to have no car, no job and support. I haven't received any replies, but there are literally thousands of ads from people all across this country doing the same. Thing is, how can the people who need a home for awhile find these offers??

[demo dutch]

22. Donated to Red Cross and Humaine Soc., contacted politicans

and urge them to demand action. Start a fund drive through my daughters Girl scout group.

[ProfessorGAC]

23. Gathered The Local Chamber of Commerce

Raised a few grand for the Red Cross. Expect to send the check after the Labor Day Weekend. Hoping to hit $10k.
The Professor

[jane_pippin]

24. I gave some money to the Red Cross and will give more through

a local church after I get paid again.

We're also keeping in close contact with some friends who managed to get out in time. (They made it to Memphis). We're trying to figure out what they need so we can get it to them. (They're still so shocked that they don't even know what they need yet, besides the food/water/clothes, which our Memphis friends are taking care of).

[movie_girl99]

25. i wrote to shrub yesterday

and faxed it to 202-395-1232. I am in the process now of getting my work mates to bring me whatever they have to donate..clothihng, bedding etc. I have four large boxes full so far that I will take down tomorrow to a location where there are some refugees staying.

[ernstbass]

26. Red Cross, Noah's Wish donations

Educating all my repug coworkers about what could and SHOULD have been done by Bushco to prevent this hideous mess. I will continue to donate blood every 60 days. Emailing representatives to demand action and accountability. Donating vacation timea t work which will go to Red Cross also.

[digitalhippie]

27. doantions

My wife and I have donated money we were going to use to see the black crowes in STL in Oct. We donated the money to the red cross. Our insurance office is coordinating with the red cross to host a telethon next friday to raise money directly for the red cross. We have 2 office members who have a son and a husband in baghdad and they are the spearhead for this effort. Just a side note-it is amazing how people are still trying to let bush off the hook-this is clearly a cluster due to his budget cut/tax relief program. I hope this is the end of the fundy wing of the pub party, and that the American people see him for the bumbling opportunist that he is. I have had to counter arguments using the what if this was nuke scenario and then ask if they really think this administration can bring democracy to the mid east!!! I get a lot of quizzacle looks and mumbling at this point. Donate to the red cross if you have the means, if you do not have the means simply help spread the word of our community-republicans caused this lack of response!!!!

[insane_cratic_gal]

28. donated money & photos for humanity

working on a website with hubby and others on Photos for humanity..(buy a photo all done by photographers ) 100 percent of the money goes to the Red cross.

Still working on the site and gathering up the photos to upload. Anyone a photographer and want to throw a picture up on the site?

[fudge stripe cookays]

29. We gave

$100 to Noah's Wish to help save the animals. I was waiting to see if company was going to match funds before giving to the Red Cross.

This weekend, I'm going to hit some garage sales and thrift stores for some inexpensive clothes that I'm going to try to get to the folks beginning to arrive in Dallas at Reunion Arena. Since most of them got out with very little, and they're probably REALLY ready for a change of clothes.

I'm going to go to Big Lots or the Dollar Store and get some toothbrushes and toothpaste, and some other necessities-- tampons, pads, diapers, mouthwash.

I've also collected quite a few toiletries from home-- I have a lot of little travel sizes of stuff (shampoos and lotions) I usually just keep in our guest bathroom that I'll take down.

And I heard that they're wanting books, magazines, and children's toys and games. I'll do what I can to collect those too.

We just found out yesterday that my company is doing Red Cross matching, so we'll be sending them a chunky donation as well.

I'm wanting to donate blood, but I'm trying to find out for sure if I had a transfusion for my surgery in March. Sometimes that precludes you. And I asked someone from the blood bank awhile back in Interferon drugs limit my ability to donate. I;m still waiting for an answer.

I'm ALSO trying to educate everyone I know about how this admin killed those people through budget cuts and sheer arrogance.

FSC

[brooklynite]

31. Contributed $1,000 yesterday; plus...

I am organizing an effort to ask members of an organization I run to do the same. I'll also be calling my local RC office to see if they need help this weekend (I expect phones will be ringing off the hook).

[Witchy_Dem]

36. Donated to Red Cross

[FormerRepublican]

32. I donated money and emailed my elec officials about this disgrace.

Trying to figure out how to do more, but still scratching my head. I live too far away to drive over to do anything in person...

:cry:

[bertha katzenengel]

33. The people involved know what I've done. That is ENOUGH.

[progmom]

158. you are wonderful

:hug:

[bertha katzenengel]

169. oh, progmom...

I'm just really sick of charity being demanded of me. Any sane person with a conscience will help if s/he can. It is not for anyone else to demand to know what others have done or to deman THAT others do something.

Thanks, though, for the hug. I hope you're well. :pals:

[flakey_foont]

35. giving cash and blood

[Moloch]

37. I am in Lafayette, Louisiana...

There are hundreds of refugees at our Cajun Dome. I've been volunteering over there. It's a terrible situation, to say the least. Luckily, there is more than enough food for everyone here thanks to very generous donations from people in the community. It's just so sad to hear the stories that people tell about the devastation of the hurricane and how lucky that they feel they are to be alive.

If anybody knows anyone that is still looking for a place to stay, come to Lafayette. There are many, many shelters available and everyone has come together to try to accomodate the refugees.

[Just Me]

38. I've donated to the Red Cross and raised hell to my reps.

I wish I could do more. ;(

[OhioChick]

39. Donating

cash and looking for a blood drive around here.

[Libby2]

40. I have donated money

Called and e-mailed just about every freaking person on this planet.

[kristndem]

41. Donating

Money and supplies to the local relief effort sending trucks of supplies down.
Listed my house with the Moveon Hurricane Housing.

[distantearlywarning]

42. Donated to Red Cross and Noah's Wish n/t

[wanpete]

43. donated to Red Cross...

[slampoet]

45. Cajun/Creole native NOLA Born+Spanish Couple Available to go there

________________________________________
Reply to: [e-mail]
Date: 2005-09-02, 8:00AM CDT


We are finally sick of this Genocide. Help us do something about it.

It is up to us to make this right. Police on TV are cruising around using up the gas and not bringing water to women and children.

My lady Can speak Creole and Cajun French and is fluent in Spanish, expert negotiator, extremely southern persuasive and charming. She knows the big easy as well as the bayou. I am Michigan born experienced with small boats, catering, and carpentry and have small battery-power sound PA systems. MacGyver type scrounger.

We are in Rhode Island but can have her fly out to meet en route.

Need to hook up with someone with bass boat and trailer and another with truck.
Can fill up your truck with supplies either in RI or Michigan or Florida.

Contact me

[meganmonkey]

46. I work for a hunger relief agency and I have been fielding calls all week

from people wanting to help in one way or another.

I gave a bunch of money to friends who are fed up and have filled up their school bus with water and food and are on their way south.

I have called the WH hotline to express my outrage at the botched rescue 'effort'.

I have emailed CNN to praise Anderson Cooper for his excellent coverage yesterday (not that I even have cable, I jsut read about it here but don't tell them that ;) )

My enthusiasm for the DC march on Sept 24 has grown by leaps and bounds because I think the crowd will be insanely huge, especially after this debacle.

So that's a start.

[Lost4words]

47. I want YOUR list!

[bac511]

53. I am NOT trying to be mean to you all....

I stated I am looking for ideas. I am a mother of two in midwest Missouri with limited income... But, I DO want to help.

I have done some things as you will see in my previous post, but I know I can do more.

Please, don't always assume the worst.

[Bonhomme Richard]

57. "to you all" There it's said.

[bac511]

58. Sad that your so cynical

I give up...I am just trying to help.

[Fatima]

166. I know what you are trying to do

and that's cool- sometimes it's hard to really express ones self on an anonymous board- but know that just about everyone feels helpless and wants to do something.

I know that some people have encouraged their children to go through old toys and pick out some things to add to a box of goods to donate. It teaches kids about giving (and most kids want to help!) and it doesn't strain your pocket. Think of all the kids who lost their teddy bears and Barbie dolls... just another idea, especially for people with a small budget.

[Lost4words]

61. I am sorry,.... my family has suffered financial devastation over the

past 5 years, my wife and I were IT technologists, our good solid steady jobs were outsourced by american companies. I have been an activists since the Supreme Court illegally handed the keys to the whitehouse to george Bush. All I can do is scream and be ready to take the streets once there is a leader who believes in the United States of America rather than enriching themselves at the corporate teat at our expense.

[Sparkman]

72. Thanks for your IDEA GENERATING posts!! Its all about communicating.

[danalytical]

51. I donated to the red cross and

my wife has set up a relief fund of 25% for every purchase of supplies at her website being donate to hurricane Katrina survivors. It's a crafter website btw.

[Ms Chicklet]

52. I'm cash-strapped right now...

Buying a house has drained me (closing's in less than two weeks). But I'll give when things ease up in a few weeks.

In the meantime, our local YMCA is running a clothing drive for the refugees who have been evacuated to Houston. I have five large garbage bags full of clean clothes that will be dropped off tomorrow morning.

[fudge stripe cookays]

108. That's wonderful!

You know they're sick of sitting around in the same gnarly smelly clothes for days.

Good on ya!
FSC

[Debau2005]

55. Working telethon phones

Donated to the Salvation Army and Noah's Wish. Donating time and supplies to the local shelter.

Currently helping a small Church group organize a fund raiser by creating their website links to get out the information.

[Bonhomme Richard]

56. I can't stand questions like this.

All they do is put people in an awkward position. I am sure everyone here is doing whatever they can. If they have money or food to send great. If not, then just posting their feelings is enough to at least let those suffering know that someone cares.
Actually, the question alone makes me suspicious.
But hey, that's just me.

[smurfygirl]

59. going to NOLA with red cross next as soon as they decide when

we are going. I also donated to the aspca and red cross. And sent clothing to a food bank to be distributed in Astro dome.

I am also writing media and goverment officials and calling non stop since day 3.

[julialnyc]

60. paid taxes,donated money and............

wrote to every news organization to tell them when they are doing a wonderful job and when they are full of shit. I honestly think the best chance these people have is great coverage on tv.The more the govt knows that the world is watching the more embarrassing they know it is for them. This needs to be seen by EVERYONE!

[expatriot]

63. Donated $300 already, going to La. to volunteer, called all my reps

emailing everyone I know for the five days, and just in general,


CRYING MY FUCKING EYES OUT.

[JackDragna]

64. I've worked my butt off in a shelter.

I do have the "luxury" of living in Louisiana, of course, but I would be so thankful for anything any of you all could do to help the people here. They are so, so desperate.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

65. Donating $1000, and more

I was going to give $1000 to the Red Cross but now I'm not so sure that's the best place. Anyone have any advice about the best organization to give to? I want to give it where it will be used in the most practical way possible. I know that's hard to guarantee, of course, but I'm open to suggestions.

Also giving money at my daughter's school, they are collecting for a relief agency.

Waiting a bit to organize some kind of outreach or project that my son's school can do. I know right now it's about saving lives and getting food and water to people, but later there will be a lot of help needed to rebuild and maybe reach out to the displaced kids from this tragedy --

[Fatima]

161. try the food banks in Texas

like this one.

http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/

[atheist]

66. Red Cross donation 2 times

Donated to Red Cross personally and had a employee match fund start up.

[Corgigal]

68. Gave money to North Shore Animal League and

America's second harvest. Wrote E-mail asking my local grocery store and insurance company asking them if they are donating funds. I wrote to my Senator , CNN, Anderson Cooper, Krugman of the NYT.
Letter as follows:


I just wanted to take a moment and tell you what this one little house did before Katrina hit. It was last Sunday and I was meeting some friends at the local cinema to see March Of The Penguins. I was ranting to my husband, a retired law enforcement officer from a southern state, how I know we could be doing some military humanitarian airlifts. Take out the disabled people, ill people, tourist and how it wouldn't take that many C-130's either. I was a USAF member and worked in Air Traffic Control. I believe I have some experience on how many aircraft are available in this country.

While I took the kids to the movies, my husband called the Mayors office in New Orleans. He actually got through and talked to a person who asked him to called an Emergency Operations center. They gave him the number and he called. Again, he got an actual human who told him that he didn't know why they weren't doing that but maybe they fear a run on the airport. They asked him to call FEMA in Washington. He called and again he got someone who told him, Well we just don't have enough planes to do that. My husband asked him if they even thought about a military airlift and was told, well yeah, but again not enough planes.

My husband by the way, takes good notes and then called CNN and asked if they knew this information. Again a person asked for all his information, then asked him to either fax or e-mail the names and times he spoke with them. They couldn't believe FEMA's response either.

I'm not sure if anyone will look into this but I wanted to let you know that our "regular" middle class American home was alarmed that nothing was being done. We still had to try and we did get answers. Of course , looking at the state of the currents events, proves that the answers given on the eve of Katrina was we really don't give a damn. Not one bit.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

81. What is the North Shore Animal League?

Most of the money I'm donating is for people, but I would also like to donate some to animal rescue and placement.

Do you have contact info?

ps) Corgigal, if you see this, can you pm me about this org? Thanks!

[Corgigal]

93. I PM'ed

you the link.

[djack23]

69. To Help

1) Donated money to Red Cross
2) Volunteered to do computer mapping (GIS) for Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. They already had enough volunteers.

[Sparkman]

70. UPS donated $1.25 Million (my exclusive shipper) Here's they're breakdown.

$500K cash to victim relief
$125K Disaster Relief Fund Red Cross
$125K America's Secund Harvest (groceries)
$240K Ongoing recovery efforts.

Proud customer of UPS here, as you can tell, for what it's worth.

[GumboYaYa]

73. I spent the last several nights calling friends in New Orleans

helping them find places to stay and giving them directions on how to get out of town.

My uncle is a minister in Bogalusa and is very distraught that no one is paying any attention to them. We are currently working on renting a U-Haul truck and filling it with food and water to drive down to Bogalusa to help these poor people. If conditions don't improve today, I will be leaving tonight to do that. Unfortunately, I have not been able to clear my work schedule to do this before tonight.

I have friends whose elderly parents have been evacuated to Tennessee. They are going to pick them up this weekend and bring them to St. Louis. We found them a place to stay for the next few months.

We also are inviting a family from New Orleans to stay in our home for the next few months.

My daughter has started a fund raiser at her school (she is nine and his been to New Orleans many, many time s in her young life). She is selling purple, green and gold bracel;eets for $2.00 each. We are going to donate the money to the relief effort.

I know that not everyone can be as focused on helping this effort, but I have to. These are my people, that is my city...my heart is bleeding. I can't stop crying.

[Zenlitened]

74. And yourself? What have you done?

:shrug:

[bac511]

75. I just gave

Money to the Red Cross, but I am being blasted about it from fellow DU'ers, so I guess it was a bad thing.

The only reason I started this thread was to find out what people were doing and what needed to be done, but apparently I was out of line...so disregard.

[Zenlitened]

76. Well, your tone sucked. The way you phrased it was easily...

... interpreted as an accusation rather than an honest question.

[Misunderestimator]

112. "So, DU'ers, What have YOU done to help out?" - that's what could set

people off and assume that you are accusing "US" of not doing anything. Do you see how that could be interpreted that way... with the "So" following by an uppercase YOU? Did you not mean to emphasize YOU that way?

In any case, as you can see from the replies to the thread, many DUers have done a lot... and many more have done a lot that won't reply to your thread... taking a tally of what DUers have done to help just doesn't seem that constructive. Maybe a tally of ideas of what more we could do would be more in keeping with what you say your intention is.

And... Welcome to DU... :toast:

[Jacklyn75]

77. I donated money to the Red Cross and donated food.

And...we plan on donating more money after my husband gets paid.

[spuddonna]

78. Here's my list...

*Gave money to Red Cross
*Wrote letters to both Senators, and my Rep demanding they airlift water and food into NO
*Talked to my Senator's office (Maria Cantwell) - The WA state National Guard is on stand-by, the OR NG has been sent and they're waiting for the 'ok' to go in...
*Plan on giving blood asap

And I feel totally helpless, and I'm sitting here in tears...

I talked to my Senator's aide who was answering the phone, and I was fighting back tears. She sounded the same, said they're watching and do not understand why we aren't doing airlifts of food and water...

What else can we do? Please, I need to do something!

:cry:

[Kerrytravelers]

79. I've been busy.

I am leaving in a few hours to drive all over Los Angeles, collecting money and goods donations. A friend's cousin attends the university of Texas in Houston. She has rented a U-Haul and is taking it to the Astrodome. If she is turned away, the second place is to UT's charity drive.

I have been all over the place trying to set up a phone tree service. I have posted info on DU about it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=106x22496

Even though we are barely getting by right now, we realize there are many good people in far worse shape than we could ever imagine, so we are buying $100 in goods and sending them off to Texas today.

[intheflow]

80. NOMINATED. I've been talking with Texas DUers and UUs to help organize

a clothing drive and refugee shelter in Amarillo.

I've volunteered at the Red Cross Call Center here in Denver, but won't be trained until next week.

I've put out tentacles about going down to Houston and volunteering, but that's slow going as I'm unemployed, have no money, and my radiator's dying a slow death.

I nominated this thread so that we can see each other's compassion and good work.

[DS1]

82. Zilch.

[WildEyedLiberal]

105. Proud of that, are you? nt

[FloridaPat]

83. Unemployed since January. Lots of prayers sent.

[Obamarama]

84. Your prayers are just as critical as the money! :-)

[RandomKoolzip]

85. Donated to Red Cross.

[frictionlessO]

86. Donated hundreds to RC, hooked up a three person family with housing

am going to hook them up with jobs at my wifes company. I am also trying to figure out how to get RC training to go and do the 24hour call status three week deployment thing.

I'd give blood but do not pass the "test".

[frictionlessO]

87. Kick because I want to see more stories of help! n/t

[Individualist]

88. Donated

to Salvation Army.

[Individualist]

151. Donated again,

this time to Noah's Wish.

[Barack_America]

89. I've contacted...

...my senators, representative and mayor.

I let them know that I WANT ACCOUNTABILITY AND I WILL NOT BE SPUN!!!

[Blue_In_AK]

90. My family has donated $900 to the Red Cross...

...and we wish we could give more.

[imax2268]

91. Donated $150.00 to the Red Cross...

took clothing, shoes, and water to the local red cross...

[Nictuku]

92. Donated $50.00 to Red Cross (eom)

[LSK]

94. donated to the Red Cross

Looking to volunteer locally for them this weekend also.

[chalky]

95. Donated $50.00 to America's Second Harvest

http://www.secondharvest.org

Will be gathering up the clothes I've been putting off on donating to take to Salvation Army.

And will be donating more as soon I get paid.
My sister is talking about taking in a family, so I'll probably be going with her down to the Tony Burger center here in Austin to see what can be done.

[WilliamPitt]

96. Coordinating PDA response, sending activists down to help,

writing for truthout to highlight the details.

[Blue Belle]

97. I donated what I could to the Red Cross...

I'd go give blood too, but I'm sick. I'm planning on donating blood in a couple of days when I feel better.

Plus, I'm a tax payer and (stupidly) thought those funds would pay for an effective FEMA program.

[ronnykmarshall]

98. Donation to Red Cross

Donation my 74,000 + United Air miles.

Signing up with the Red Cross to work. Possibly to be sent to the Gulf area if I can work it out at my job.

[Barack_America]

99. kick

[Barack_America]

100. Putting up flyers in my apartment building so people can...

...get involved with the Philly relocation project!!

[mwdem]

101. Donated to the Red Cross...

Costco takes donations for the Red Cross, going strictly for the hurricane relief fund.

[Straight Shooter]

102. Donated money, contacted local Red Cross to ask where to send clothes.

Sent e-mails, spread information. Checking my budget, getting ready to send more money where it will do the most good.

[Vektor]

103. I donated to two aid organizations.

One that cares for animals, and one for people. :-)

[Catchawave]

104. Sent a check to Noah's Wish and waiting

to hear of families I can directly support/sponsor.

Oh yeah, and paid $2355 in fed taxes this year :(

[King Coal]

106. I sent the Red Cross a hundred bucks. It was matched by my employer.

[jayfish]

109. Something Tells Me That This...

thread isn't turing out like the OP had hoped. Time will tell.

Jay

[AgadorSparticus]

110. we donated to the red cross. nt

[Pacifist Patriot]

111. A couple of things

1. I'm coordinating a donation drive to be sent to victim's shelters in the Galveston area next week. (I have a contact at the coordinating office.) I thought I'd be collecting a couple of boxes to take to the post office. It has now become a major logistical undertaking and I'm trying to partner with a shipping company. I called a hospital to ask for baby formula and ended up with a company wide baby supply drive on my hands.

2. Letter to the editor.

3. Listed my home at http://www.hurricanehousing.org.

4. Donated to Salvation Army (I know, I know. It hurt but they can get the job done.)

5. Donating blood tomorrow.



I wish I could afford to go to Texas and provide pastoral counseling as needed at the shelters.

[melody]

113. Gave money to five different relief efforts and shipped a ton of baby food

And it still doesn't seem like enough.

[enki23]

114. i'm volunteering at a red cross shelter

.

[Coexist]

115. I add $10 to my total at Publix every time I go in - the Red Cross gets it

[AbbyR]

116. Paid my taxes

and have been covering the shelter up the street and helping them. Donated to them today - there are about 150 evacuees there now. Also took a couple of evacuees to the hospital - blood sugar over 600 - they kept him overnight. I called my senators and my representative and talked a LONG time, and the rep had someone call me back, so I ranted on some more about what is NOT being done in NO.

It's not enough, but I'm trying to keep my day gig so I can continue to feed my own family.

[aresef]

117. When my birthday comes (less than two weeks)...

I'll be donating some cash to the Red Cross.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

118. I'm organizing a benefit concert for the victims

All proceeds will go to Unitarian Universalist Gulf Coast Relief Association.

I've also cleaned out my attic and have clothing ready to go to Merh and any other DUer who's a victim of this storm. If it doesn't fit them or their family members, I'm sure they'll find a good place for it.

[Talismom]

119. Worked and paid taxes, donated to Red Cross (on site that

doubled contribution), wrote respectful but furious letter to congressman, cc to senators. Planning more...

[Tyranny_R_US]

120. I donated $75 to the red cross (gag) and I called FEMA and the White House

[Redstone]

121. I'd rather not say exactly. But we did our part.

Redstone

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

122. $250 to Red Cross. Looking to donate some time/medical service.

[CantGetFooledAgain]

123. Sizable donation to Red Cross (nt)

[walldude]

124. Donated a small amount of money

it was all I could afford. Donated Blood! Everyone can give blood! I may take some time off and volunteer to go to NO to help out, if my wife will concede to watching the kids...

[Califooyah Operative]

125. money, blood, taxes, prayers, phone calls, getting others to do the same.

[Island Blue]

127. Donated to the Red Cross

Plan to donate to an organization that helps stranded animals as soon as I research which organization would be the best to give to.

[mvd]

128. I will be donating

This tragedy will bring about heroes - ones that don't need **'s command.

[mvd]

131. Just donated now

Red Cross Hurricane 2005 Relief Fund.

[Coexist]

129. Just organized a loose change drive in our Pop Warner association

to go to the Red Cross

[globalvillage]

130. Donated to Red Cross and signed up here

Dear MoveOn member,

Hurricane Katrina's toll on communities, homes and lives has devastated the nation. Now victims must face the daunting question of where to go next—and we can help.

Tens of thousands of newly homeless families are being bused to a stadium in Houston, where they may wait for weeks or months. At least 80,000 are competing for area shelters, and countless more are in motels, cars, or wherever they can stay out of the elements. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Red Cross are scrambling to find shelter for the displaced.

This morning, we've launched an emergency national housing drive to connect your empty beds with hurricane victims who desperately need a place to wait out the storm. You can post your offer of housing (a spare room, extra bed, even a decent couch) and search for available housing online at:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org

Housing is most urgently needed within reasonable driving distance (about 300 miles) of the affected areas in the Southeast, especially New Orleans.

Please forward this message to anyone you know in the region who might be able to help.

But no matter where you live, your housing could still make a world of difference to a person or family in need, so please offer what you can.

The process is simple:


You can sign up to become a host by posting a description of whatever housing you have available, along with contact information. You can change or remove your offer at any time.


Hurricane victims, local and national relief organizations, friends and relatives can search the site for housing. We'll do everything we can to get your offers where they are needed most. Many shelters actually already have Internet access, but folks without 'net access can still make use of the site through case workers and family members.


Hurricane victims or relief agencies will contact hosts and together decide if it's a good match and make the necessary travel arrangements. The host's address is not released until a particular match is agreed on.

If hosting doesn't work for you, please consider donating to the Red Cross to help with the enormous tasks of rescue and recovery. You can give online at:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=859

As progressives, we share a core belief that we are all in this together, and today is an important chance to put that idea to work. There are thousands of families who have just lost everything and need a place to stay dry. Let's do what we can to help.

http://www.hurricanehousing.org

Thanks for being there when it matters most.

—Noah Winer and the whole MoveOn.org Civic Action Team
Thursday, September 1st, 2005


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Sequoia]

132. Skipped paying the trash bill

and bought some meager supplies at the Dollar Store, they were out of traps though. Have some nice books for the children to send that my daugher grew out of. Our company is sending a load of things to Alabama.

[Eloriel]

133. Not much

I've donated a little, and I've been trying to document this in my own little way, including:

ATTN DU RESEARCHERS -- LIHOP/MIHOP evidence stacking up
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4588088&mesg_id=4588088

[txindy]

134. Donated money and goods (clothing, food, necessities)

The kids are gearing up to donate toys and sponsoring a toy drive with their friends. There are thousands of evacuees being sheltered in Texas, many of them children. Toys will help ease the boredom and frustration for them.

[KamaAina]

135. One hundred doubloons to Mercy Corps

(the N.O. doubloon trades at par with the dollar :-) )

Mercy Corps is working with a veteran of the tsunami effort and a Tulane student (now on leave -- duh!) down there.

http://www.mercycorps.org

[KamaAina]

168. and Mom matched it!

This is better than PBS! :bounce:

[LittleClarkie]

136. One 4 lb. tub o' peanutbutter and a stackable box headed for Kiln, MS

And alot of bitching here. A couple o' prayers.

Not much, but something.

[Barack_America]

137. kick!

[Penndems]

138. We donated $50 to the Red Cross and I called the RC this

morning, offering to go to the Gulf Coast or New Orleans and help anyway I could.

Still waiting to hear back from them.

[frictionlessO]

139. kick! This thread is making me feel so good!

[dogday]

140. I organized a drive for the school district that my daughter

goes to and called two other districts to do the same.

[SharonRB]

141. Donated $50 to Red Cross with

a matching contribution from my employer.

[PretzelWarrior]

142. donate. donate. donate. done it. now demanding accountability

and rooting on the professionals going down to volunteer. ALso searching web for accounts of someone drawing up articles of impeachment on BUsh.

HOw bout you Mr. 63 posts suddenly demanding DU accountability?

[mcscajun]

143. I'm donating my 25,000+ Continental Air Miles to the Red Cross

anyone with air miles needs to check and see if they can do likewise.

[doni_georgia]

144. I am in charge of Red Cross drive at our school and collecting

school supplies for the kids coming into our community from NO. We got one student yesterday and we are getting 10 more we know about on Monday. I am getting donations from local businesses of clothing and school supplies for each kid that registers at our school. I am also singing at a church tomorrow in return for the offering plate being passed for the shelter at the Boy Scout camp up the road from the church.

[wildhorses]

146. I will be going there

when our hospital sends a group to work in the field hospitals that are currently being set up. On edit:We are waiting to be notified by HHS.

[Warren DeMontague]

147. First thing I did when I saw some of those pictures a few days ago

was donate $100 to the red cross.

[KeepItReal]

148. Donated $ to Red Cross to start

<eom>

[Glenda]

149. I found this HOUSTON RELIEF list...

http://www.katrina-houston.com/

And sent one of the orgs a $ donation

[mcscajun]

150. Kick! n/t

:kick:

[wtmusic]

152. I've demanded that famous celebrites send all their money to NO

j/k, I sent money

[really annoyed]

153. Donations

Red Cross, Mercy Corps, Secular Humanist charity.

More to come when I get my next paycheck.

[cynatnite]

154. Donated supplies and money, plus waiting on call to take loads

Hubby's offered his truck and his time to take loads of supplies to the gulf coast. We're still waiting on the call. The coordination won't be ready until Tuesday from what we've been told.

[derby378]

155. Unfortunately, not a damn thing...

...other than paying taxes which FEMA was supposed to use to help people like those in New Orleans.

Seriously, all of our aid went down to Camp Casey and to a soldier in Iraq that my wife supports on a regular basis. We're still regrouping and coming to terms with all of this.

[Autonomy]

156. I am volunteering for the Red Cross relief effort

and go down to NOLA or wherever they assign me, but the training at the local chapter takes a while, and with the reports of the Red Cross being turned away from NOLA, I may never get the chance. I'm still going to at least go through the motions, tho.

[demodonkey]

157. Continued my Election Reform project so we don't get another '00 or '04...

..."election" putting another ** into control in the future.

I think this is the best thing that I personally can offer right now. If we don't get fair elections this crap is going to happen over and over and over.... and get worse each time.

[Fatima]

159. 100 bucks

50 to American Friends Service Committee (Quakers)
50 to the Houston Food Bank

Cash donations to food banks are very useful, because they can buy in bulk lots and feed a lot more people than if you bought stuff at the store yourself and gave it to them.

[IdaBriggs]

160. I'm doing my ARC Disaster Training on Wednesday and will

deploy within 48 hours thereafter. I've also made arrangements for back-up support for supplies for my shelter if I feel a need (which I expect to need). I've done my best to recruit other people for the classes, and have done my best to raise holy hell to get Bush to resign by a handwritten sign on my car with the phone number for the White House.

[Autonomy]

162. I will start Wednesday, too.

But the full training last a couple weeks, or so the website says. I have yet to talk to anyone by phone. They had an answering machine saying leave a number and they will call back on Monday. Maybe they are accelerating the classes due to the emergency? I've heard reports it only takes 2 days.

[Longhorn]

163. Registered with MoveOn.org and the Red Cross to take in a family

and donated $100 to the Red Cross.

[shayes51]

164. Just got back from Petal, Miss., with 3 trucks of food and water.

[bpilgrim]

165. Donations

and keeping a media archive here...
http://news.globalfreepress.com/gallery/index.php?cat=19

peace

[thinkingwoman]

167. Paid taxes, donated to the Red Cross

Made that Red Cross donation through Lowes so that it would be matched and therefore doubled.

[Glimmer of Hope]

170. Donated $ and I am also selling stuff on EBay...

I am donating all my proceeds and so far I have had a pretty good response to my auctions.

[wildhorses]

171. kick n/t

[Solly Mack]

172. I started a donation drive here in Germany

mainly for school supplies and the extra money will be donated directly to LA.

[StellaBlue]

174. Not enough

I gave about four large garbage bags full of largely near-new clothes to the Salvation Army.

I would give the Red Cross money, but I am in a very rough spot right now and I only have $350 to my name, with a $200 student loan payment coming up every month. I also cannot give blood for 5 years because I have been living in Europe.

I am an atheist, so I am not going to pray, but I have been meditating on this and trying to cultivate compassion within myself.

What else can you do but pray or something similar when confronted with this tragedy?

I was thinking about going to a local church today just to meet people and see if there is anything I can do to donate time or perhaps help the children (I could teach if necessary).

???

[RiDuvessa]

175. Donated.

To various organizations. It's about all I can do because I am stationed out of the country right now.

[all.of.me]

176. i wrote my congressmen and senators

i donated to the louisiana disaster recovery foundation and emailed the link.

i emailed a du post about supplies needed at the astrodome to everyone i know, including my two writing lists, which total about 1,000 people.

my daughter's cheerleading squad has started a fund drive at the high school.

it's not enough. i'd rather be right there doing something. it would be incredibly rewarding to hand out water and sandwiches, hold an old person, give someone a package of diapers or clean clothes, or just listen. we do what we can.

[Silverhair]

177. One busload of refugees arrived in our tiny town today.

The shelter had a big handmade sign asking for help, both volunteers and supplies, and giving a number. I called to volunteer and to ask what they needed.

[undergroundpanther]

178. Gave

Some clothes I had that were good ,some canned stuff,a little money
waiting for my FUCkkkIN cold to die.. so I can give blood too.

[HEyHEY]

179. argued over the word "refugees"

And I'm going to donate clothing

[Mob Mama]

180. Well....

I'm a nurse, and would like to be able to travel to Houston to take care of the victims. That's not looking possible right now, since I have small kids and no childcare help. But I did contact a few agencies around town that are currently coming to the aid of the victims and told them I would love to be able to help. According the the news, my state has had 20,000 victims seek help here.

My kids and I helped thursday for a water bottle and donation drive, in the parking lot of a local grocery store. In one day, we had eight trucks worth of supplies and 130k donated!!!

My eight year old has told me she wants to send her old clothes and toys to the kids - right now we are trying to figure out the best way to get them to people that need them. I'm thinking of posting them on craigslist.

Money is tight right now with gas costs, but I wrote a measly check out for $75, also.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

181. I'm going to buy some groceries and supplies

And drop them off at a local donation center. We'll probably donate some money at some point, but I don't want to do it just yet because someone in NO said cash isn't what's needed right now. My husband is a psychiatrist at Southwestern Medical Center and may be called upon to provide mental health care and/or medications to the dispossessed.