Back from my second day at the dome. Here is what is really

[efhmc]

needed: boys' underwear, ladies bras and undies, shoes (flip-flops), tennies), books,socks for all ages. Thanks.

[eddiebrowns]

1. How is everyone holding up,

you included

[efhmc]

3. These people are amazing. They come off of the bus like

stunned animals and yet are polite and patient and grateful. They are better people than I am.

[omega minimo]

8. I am struck by the dignity of these people in this misery

Powerful.

[efhmc]

12. I could not sleep last night because of the impact of those

people and their misery. They are the best. How anyone could be allowed to treat them like such worthless pieces of crap is beyond me, especially those who count themselves as followers of Christ.

[omega minimo]

14. That's it and they must know that their suffering is a call to action

for the nation, for all human beings with a heart attached to a brain, that crosses party lines and even socioeconomic lines.

We will take these images, these stories, these undeniable truths and take this country back.

All these years, all this bullshit that nothing could cut thru-- and this summer it was a women in a straw hat in a ditch asking one question and thousands of dispossessed human beings that ripped the mask off the WH pirates.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[efhmc]

22. The only difference is that these folks were being greeted with

hygiene kits, doctors, counselors, sandwiches, cold water, blankets and cots, warm showers and love.

[OKDem08]

2. I read that the astrodome

is not accepting these kind of contributions...only money to the Red Cross organization.

[efhmc]

4. No more contributions by those dropping them off. Park and

bring them in is my suggestion. We had to give out ladies panties secretly because we did not want to start a run because our supplies were so short. All wanted to change undies after getting a shower, of course, but we did not have enought clean undies. Also everyone needs socks. Find a red cross person and tell them you have socks. They will find a way to get those socks to the people who need them.

[Sugarbleus]

20. That is a truly noble and decent request...I like it.

BUT, everything I am hearing is that these people are being hustled from one place to another (after they make it out of NOLA) and NO ONE is allowed even CLOSE to the dome? What are the facts?

Do we KNOW that packages, even from a company, will be allowed into the dome?

While it's WONDERFUL that folks made it out of NOLA, there is still some weird cloak and dagger shit going on in terms of getting near those folks...there AND back in NOLA.

Just curious....

BRAVO efhmc for your actions. Bless your heart... :hug:

[efhmc]

24. No media is being allowed to BOTHER these

people inside the facilites becase they need to rest and get some dignity back ito their lives. There are plenty of media people a great distance away and if one wants to talk to them then (as it should be in America) they can talk as long and as loudly as they want. They are not being hassled in any way. They can get out and go anywhere they want to. They have wrist bands (as I do as a volunteer) and will be checked before they are allowed back in. Only those who are intocicated will not be allowed back into the secure areas.

[Libby2]

30. I saw Greta in the dome last night.

eta: cause I don't read so good....sorry.

[Occulus]

9. I heard at work tonight, the USPS is setting up the Astrodome with

its own zip code.

The organizers at the Astrodome will have no choice but to accept such items if that is the case. Else, they will be violating federal law. :)

When I can confirm it, I will post that information here. Very likely, since I work second shift (Tour 3, for some reason, in postaspeek), it will be posted the day it happens before I ever even get the chance.

Once that occurs, you'll be free to send whatever you like to "any survivor of Hurricane Katrina" at that zip code and someone will get it.

I DARE them to get Postal Inspectors involved by refusing to give the survivors packages. I bloody dare them.

edited to add: there is confirmation and valuable additional information for those affected by hurricane Katrina who are expecting disability/SS checks coming in the mail, located here.

Looks like USPS, at least, was on top of this one. And I gripe sometimes about working for them... sheesh.

just a snip:

[Lisa]

11. cool!

So there is some grain of truth to the "Miracle on 34th Street" plot device!

[efhmc]

28. It may just caused more stress on the already stressed forces

at the site.

[Holly_Hobby]

5. Did you talk to any Red Cross folk

who knew why they weren't allowed into NO?

[efhmc]

6. Way too busy taking care of those there to ask those

questions.

[Holly_Hobby]

7. Understood

What is the best mode to get these things there if you live somewhere else than that part of the country?

[efhmc]

10. Well, I think someone should call Hanes or another company

and ask them to send bras, panties and men's and boys underwear. They love America and I am sure would be happy to help if they knew the need.

[Holly_Hobby]

13. I'll call them

I don't take "no" for an answer. Thank you for your kindness.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

15. Gift cards would be the best if they are allowed access to use

them. Think of the cost of mailing them and they're more effective use (to buy exactly what is needed). I bet we can even get like a 10% discount if the companies know they have guaranteed shoppers. We need some one to co-ordinate the effort.

I would actually go, but I can not LEGALLY drive with a right broken ankle, if you get my drift.

Could you get a group going. This would be awesome.

[efhmc]

16. The problem is to get to places to buy things. They are

across from stores but those stores don't have any of these items left.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

21. Can you get need and size lists. Get them to church people. Americans

are shopaholics, I know, I am recovering. They will probably kick in to. I know because I adopted one family for X-mas and bought for 2 extra people plus wrapping stuff. Then when there were leftovers I kicked in again.

This is an organizational front end loaded issue, but the back end will mobilize more people. In the long run you would get more of what you need.

When blanket calls go out, you will end up with a lot of unusable stuff. What size bras do you need? They will send an assortment of all, but there will be lots of leftover. I know this from generic church drives.

[efhmc]

23. There are all sizes. I agree that you are right about the size thing.

We need a variety with many large size ladies. We got rid of many panites today with some taking a size up or down just to get clean undies.

[ofrfxsk]

18. I just emailed them asking for donations of undies, bras and socks

be sent to the Astrodome and other affected areas.
Dunno if they will do it but it's worth a go. Maybe if they hear from many people they will.

http://www.hanes.com/HanesCommerce/en-US/ContactUsEmail.htm

Wanted to add special thanks to efhmc. You're doing the good work.

[NMDemDist2]

34. just sent them a note n/t

[flygal]

44. Sent an email

I've been filling out a lot of those forms lately. I'm over in Germany and filling helpless. If these little gestures do anything I'll feel a little better.

YOu guys are doing great!

[Bushfire]

46. Wrote to Hanes just now, thanks for the link n/t

[ikojo]

32. Call Sara Lee corporate HQ....they own some clothing

lines and from what I am told have warehouses full of undies and bras and such. Their employees are sometimes allowed to go in and fill a bag of stuff for like ten bucks. Surely they have stuff to spare and think of all of the free ads something like this will buy.

Gotta appeal to the cold hearts of corporate America in ways they understand...MONEY.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

35. Nike too...

When I worked for them, they had all the leftovers from last years lines in storage. Once a year every employee would get to pick a couple pairs of shoes, socks, hats, shirts. I'm sure the people who work there would be willing to give them up this year.

[Straight Shooter]

37. Lands End employees have the same benefits. I bet they'll donate, too.

They're owned by Sears, but Sears although it is mostly red has done some good things for the troops, IIRC.

I called the Red Cross here in Oregon and asked when the clothing drive would begin. They told me not yet, please donate money which is more critical right now. She said donate clothing to the Salvation Army as they are doing well at coordinating that effort.

The northern states would be a great source to donate clothing because we're heading into cooler weather and Louisiana and Texas obviously will have warm weather for several more months.

[efhmc]

19. Need to get some rest for tomorrow. Goodnight and be glad

that are those who care and help people, like you DU.

[faithnotgreed]

25. oh thank you so much for this - wish for some good sleep

if you can

all our thanks

[Fleshdancer]

26. what about pads and tampons for the women?

I only bring it up because I get annoyed when the media doesn't mention the obvious.

[efhmc]

27. My daughter and I brought some and there seemed to be

a lot but there are a lot of women there and they will be there for quite a whilw. I would think they would need more.

[Danmel]

31. I was thinking the same thing last night

Those poor women stranded outdoors with no bathroom facilities. If they get their periods, they're gonna be mighty uncomfortable and embarrassed. This is just such a colossal disaster and the way it's been exacerbated by the callousness and incompetence makes me want to scream.

[Midlodemocrat]

29. How can we get this stuff to you?

I am going to try to organize a drive at my kids' schools to provide this stuff.

[efhmc]

33. Where are you?

[Midlodemocrat]

36. Richmond, VA

[earth mom]

38. Can you give us an address to send stuff?

Okay, I want to give but honestly I will not give to any organization that Pappy or Clinton are in charge of or have any connection to. And I worry that money gets wasted on bureaucracy at some agencies also. I'd feel like I was really helping by sending books or clothes.

Please let us all know where we can send the packages to.

TIA! :)

[wellstone dem]

39. What do you want

Do you want us to send you money or goods directly? Or do you want us to send them to the astrodome? If you could use the cash to buy stuff, do you have pay pal?

My daughter and I donated to second harvest and to the food shelf in Houston. We want to help locally as much as possible.

[ailsagirl]

40. I am in California-- how would I send clothes to you?

[Cleita]

42. Me too. Is the Red Cross collecting things?n/t

[ailsagirl]

47. I just went to the Red Cross website and...

they don't accept donations of clothing.

Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts. For these reasons, the Red Cross is unable to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.

http://www.redcross.org/donate/goods/

Look under COLLECTIONS OF GOODS AND INDIVIDUAL ITEMS for more info.

ailsa

[Cleita]

48. Salvation Army is collecting clothing for the hurricane victims.

I just heard on the radio. I hope they don't sell them instead.

[ailsagirl]

50. Let's hope not!! I'll check it out. God knows I have lots of clothes

[knitter4democracy]

41. Count me in.

Just let me know where to send it so that it won't overload anyone and will be the right stuff.

If they need socks, I can let all the sock knitters know. We're all a bit obsessed with making socks (I know, we're weird), and I know people will want to make them for the evacuees. We can also buy and send socks for immediate needs.

[AuntieM1957]

43. Houstonians, please note that there are many shelters in town

I'm volunteering tonight at a shelter in far north Houston (off 1960).

Check out the the Red Cross shelter list at www.chron.com

The only specifics for my area I have available at hand are:

a new shelter located at 12501 Champions Forest Drive (Christ Church Baptist Fellowship). 281 866 8377

They need:

Volunteers to work four hour shifts to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner to about 350-500 people.

New Men's Boxers
New Boy's Boxers and briefs
New Women's Panties and Bras
New Girl's Panties
Sport Shorts or PJ bottoms (new)
T-shirts (new - all sizes but especially need large sizes)
flip flops
new cotton crew socks for all sizes
new towels & wash clothes
new bedding (sheets, pillows, air mattresses)
diapers


If you're in NW Houston, you can find volunteer opportunities closer to home. They need us up here, too.

This church phone number is 281 866 8377.

[BobMorr]

45. kick

Get back to us on where to send clothes!!

[BeFree]

49. Another kick

Because this thread is what America is really all about.