Just talked to my SIL in Shreveport who is an ER Doctor

[bamademo]

She had been down to the field hospital in NOLA and she was describing the conditions to me. She had nursing home residents and they were scrambling to keep them alive so hygiene is non-existent. They can't change diapers and keep them breathing at the same time. These people are on the floor on stretchers so they are crawling from patient to patient which is physically as well as emotionally demanding on the medical personnel. She sounded very stressed and overwhelmed but also upbeat. She realizes how lucky she is to be able to help and not sit by helplessly. She had the following suggestions for people who want to help but who are not medical personnel:

1) Adopt an old person. If there is a shelter near you, go volunteer or just visit. These people are in despair and some don't realize they don't have homes to go back to.

2) Hygiene kits. Put some together with items such as Baby Wipes, Aspirin, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, deodorant, moisturizer, shampoo and conditioner, combs, nail files and tissue.

3) Offer to foster a pet for evacuee's.

4) Have a clothing drive and deliver clothes to the Salvation Army for distribution to the victims. Collect non perishable food and give to the Salvation Army.

[Horse with no Name]

1. Can you give her this info please

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4593666&mesg_id=4593666
This is in Texarkana--a hop skip and a jump from where she is.
Cornerstone Retirement Community has opened up space for 30 senior adults who are homeless as a result of the storm.

"We have no one so far but we're in the process of talking to several different sources. I expect we will start receiving people tomorrow," Frank Williams, director of Cornerstone, said Thursday.

Cornerstone is providing the housing free of charge.

"Obviously if they can help defray the cost, we will take donations but we're not asking anyone for money. We realize these people may have lost everything," Williams said.

People looking for more information about the available space can call Lynda Biggs at 903-832-5515.
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2005/09/02/loc...

[ecoflame]

2. Then......what to do is this

Have an organization, a business, a church - or ALL three - ADOPT this Retirement Community to help defray costs in whatever people can for these people they take in.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Great idea!

:applause:

[mcscajun]

4. About Item 4.

Donate Housing:

To donate space in your home for refugees or to seek shelter, please visit this website: www.hurricanehousing.org

How You Can Help:

1. Financial Donations:

Financial contributions are greatly needed, and provide The Salvation Army with the funds to purchase what storm victims need. They also allow The Salvation Army to assess the unique needs of individuals and families, as well as put money back into the economy of those communities affected by the disaster.

(snip)

Visit your local Wal-Mart or Sam's Club to donate to The Salvation Army's Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

2. In - Kind Donations (physical items):

Due to the uncertainty of specific needs and a desire for The Salvation Army to meet as many of those needs as possible, we are not able to accept in kind donations at this time.

Please continue to donate clothing, bric-a-brac and furniture to your local Salvation Army in support of their ongoing programs in your community.

Corporations wishing to make in kind donations may contact 1-888-363-2769.

3. Volunteers:
(snip)...fill out a Salvation Army volunteer form. Please do not come to the sites directly to volunteer. You will be contacted as the need arises both in the directly affected states and in the surrounding states sheltering refugees. Thank you.

http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf