What I just did to help and what you might be able to do too....

[boston bean]

I just called the Hotel Acadania in Lafayette Louisiana.

They had a woman there with 3 children who were in danger of not being able to stay at the hotel due to funds going low. The hotel and she were trying to reach FEMA to get some help. But to no avail.

They took my cc# of and I paid a week for this family to stay there. It was a special rate of $44/night + tax.

If you have the means and feel so inclined, I am sure you can help somebody today. Just get on the net and pick a hotel.

[Justitia]

1. You are fantastic & that's a great idea! Thank God for ordinary Americans

:yourock:

[SmokingJacket]

2. Incredible idea.

You're a smart one. :toast:

I'm going to get on that right away...

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. You RULE!!!

What an incredibly smart idea!

Good karma will come back to you hundredfold for that.

:hug:
FSC

[RevolutionStartsNow]

4. That's a great idea, thank you!

It means that all of your money went directly to helping someone.

I wonder how we can find other hotels/people that need this kind of direct assistance?

[Lindsay]

5. That is an absolutely brilliant idea.

:yourock:

[Peace Patriot]

6. Fabulous idea! And people can do it from anywhere, for any amount,

whatever you can afford, and maybe, if the motel, hotel or inn has a restaurant, you could do it for some food, too. This needs to be spread around. This is great!

[Lindsay]

7. Gotta forward this idea,

so I figured I might as well kick it.

[bribri16]

8. Great idea!! Thank you! n/t

[boston bean]

9. You're welcome. I hope many others can do the same thing,

I feel for the people. I am ashamed of our gov't and wanted to help someone today!


I couldn't get to LA so I did what i could.

[Ms. Clio]

10. What a brilliant idea, thank you so much!

[boston bean]

11. your welcome and a kick

things are sinking so fast because so many have so much to say that is important.

[redwitch]

12. The family you helped will need food, etc. We'd like to help

Who did you talk to at the hotel? Can you get us ( my family) started? Thanks for any info. P.S. You're not only smart, you are wonderful!

[redwitch]

P.P.S.

We're leaving for Boston in the A.M. to take oldest son to college, if you're in the area I'd love to buy you a beer!

[boston bean]

16. I spoke to a woman named kathy, she is the manager there

the phone # to the hotel is 337-233-8120.

You are wonderful too!

[boston bean]

19. PS Let me know how it goes!

:toast:

[redwitch]

31. kick again

spread the word! I just left a message on voice mail for hotel mgr, hope she gets back to me quick as we are taking the boy to college in the morning. Back here early next week and will take care of this then if I have to. I would like to send her a money order via her temporary address.

[boston bean]

34. I wish I could join you for a drink, I would love to meet you.

But I have some things I need to do tomorrow. Thanks for the invite tho. Where are you from. I live in a small town in Norfolk County, MA.

[redwitch]

43. upstate NY, north of Albany

Is Norfolk western or eastern Mass?

[boston bean]

44. Norfolk County is south of Boston. nt

[Midlodemocrat]

13. Fantastic Idea.

[redwitch]

14. kick

let's keep this one going!

[hertopos]

15. You are brilliant!!

Can you help us the list of hotels I should call. Maybe, I can talk to my friend about which hotels to call. Maybe we can collect and organize information so that people can contact the right hotel. In fact, can you explain more details how you found that stranded family at that particualer hotel?

Hertopos

[boston bean]

18. I just googled hotels in LA and I went to the best western page

I asked the receptionist there if there was a family in need and they took care of it from there.

I did not ask for the name of the family I helped, but I am sure if anyone wants to help them they can call the Acadia hotel and ask for Kathy 337-233-8120, she will be able to direct it to the correct family.

Here is a link of Best Western hotels in LA

http://www.bestwesternlouisiana.com/

[Catherine Vincent]

17. What a great idea.

The bloggers should pick up on this.

[bill]

20. Kicked because it is brilliant!

I'm calling as soon as the modem is off.

Thanks for a terrific idea!

-bill on the north coast

[boston bean]

40. Were you able to find someone to help? nt

[wildflower]

21. Also see this thread - Marriott in Dallas

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4595977

Thank you!

wildflower

[boston bean]

30. kick

[Longhorn]

37. kick n/t

[redacted]

22. BRILLIANT!

[bicentennial_baby]

23. I'm doing this!

Hell yes! Thank You! :hi:

[boston bean]

26. Please tell us how it goes! nt

[hertopos]

24. We really have to spread this idea over the web!!

Let's spread this to anyone you know on-line. Meanwhile, I think DU web site should organize into an action alert!! This is something we can do right now without worrying about logistics. But to do it effectively, we need to work more expansively. We can also contact major hotel chains to start 'katrina patron' program or something so that we can know where they need extra fund to support Katrina victims. This idea can evolved into first on-line based major help effort!! I am going to my local activist meeting soon. I know one person is from MS. I keep in touch.

Hertopos

[boston bean]

25. I'd love to spread it further, but the only way I know how is to keep this

kicked.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[hertopos]

28. You can do more than that.

I just sent out your idea to all people I know well. I also posted this idea to my local community web site. We can also send this idea to both Move-on and DFA...since they are more 'on-line' connected group. The beauty of this idea is that we can do it now and we can get some result now. We can also bring this idea to anyone. This blog should be on the front of DU not just greatest.

Hertopos

I will be off line for a while.

Please keep this kicked. This is the most important post today since we can actually help!!

[Lochloosa]

27. Kick for the best idea I've heard in days...thanks

I have not contributed yet because of not being sure where it is needed the most....now I know...

[boston bean]

29. I know how you feel, that is how a I felt as well. nt

[Gabi Hayes]

32. ffffffing prick bastard hotels......so how come ANY and EVERY

hotel with empty rooms won't put up their fellow citizens?

how shameful

PS....what are they going to do when the week is up?

you could buy them a trailer for what it would cost to stay there for a year

[boston bean]

33. Gabi, the sad thing is I don't know what they will do when the week is up

but it may give them a little bit of time to try and regroup.

[Gabi Hayes]

36. btw, I meant to thank you for your kind generosity

if B* were smart, he'd open up his Crawford pigstye to evacuees.

can you imagine the PR value that would have for them?

not that there's a chance in HELL he could be that smart

[lildreamer316]

35. Kick because YOU RULE!! n/t

[KerryOn]

38. I thought of doing the exact same thing, but....

How do you know that they didn't kick the family out anyway?
Or maybe it was all a big story and know one was there?
You may have just been ripped off.

[boston bean]

39. I seriously doubt it. They were very grateful. nt

[AnnInLa]

41. How did you learn about the woman?

Did you just call a hotel and ask if there was anyone in danger of being kicked out? Or did you hear about her particular situation?

[boston bean]

42. I just called and asked. I spoke with the hotel receptionist and

she put me in touch with the manager.

[Eloriel]

45. That is SO fabulous -- please post other hotels???? n/t

[boston bean]

46. I just called any hotel in Louisiana, happened that the first one I calle

had a needy family. I assume that would be the case for most hotels.

I posted a link for Best Western Hotels in LA further up thread, here it is again.


http://www.bestwesternlouisiana.com/



Any one who has done this as well, please post and let me know how you made out.

Thanks!

[boston bean]

47. Kick

Things sink quickly and I know people want to help.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

48. FYI

I found an 800 number on the Best Western web site for the Acadania hotel last night (It is called the Hotel Acadania, but they are affiliated with Best Western) since I was having difficulty with their local number. It goes directly to that hotel, and the receptionist knew immediately what I was calling for. It is 800-826-8386.
Thanks MassDemm for organizing this!