Would anyone be interested in a clothing drive?

[bliss_eternal]

I know they aren't accepting any clothing right now. I don't care. Fuck them.

What I want to know is, if someone organized a clothing drive for the survivors, if anyone here would be interested or able to donate/contribute?

Old clothes, used clothes, anything that doesn't fit, etc.?

I'm sick of looking at human beings running around in dirty clothes, no shoes, etc. They are starting to feed them--I want to clothe them.

Anyone?

[Sabriel]

1. I've got tons but no address to send it

Where would it go?

[bliss_eternal]

6. Hold on to it for now

Organize it into categories, women's, men's, unisex, children's, etc. But hold onto it.

We'll get organized and figure out where we can send it. I'm not trusting the govt. to do shit.

Those people will remain cold, wet, tattered and torn if they have anything to do with it...no more.

I'll clothe them myself if I have to...

[lildreamer316]

2. Ooooh yeah.You'd be doing me a favor. See my thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4600573

too much stuff man!

[bliss_eternal]

19. Hey lildreamer--

That's great! I think you are right in that everyone is probably just overwhelmed right now...but in time (sooner than later) these things WILL be needed.

Hang on, (if you can and if the stuff isn't in the way)...we'll figure out a way to get it to the right people (shelters and such).

:hi:

[lildreamer316]

24. It isn't critical

but is sure is dark in that room........:hi:

[bliss_eternal]

29. Poor baby-- I can imagine...

I remember how high my boxes were stacked when we were moving. Yikes!

Thanks--we'll do our best to get that stuff to people who will appreciate it!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Where do you live?

In the town where I work, they are bringing in evacuees. I've donated money to the local fund, and will take some time to get together some clothing to send to the place I know will be distributing clothes to these folks.

[bliss_eternal]

10. I'm in Socal--Where is the town you work in?

Do you specifically know any of the people or the organizations that may be distributing clothing for them?

I can organize something here on our end--and figure out a way to get it there...

Let me know...

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

27. I'll check on it Tuesday so I know for sure

We have a store called "Share and Care", which is organized by the local churches. They provide clothing, furniture, and sheets and small appliances to people who have been burned out, etc, so I am assuming they are taking care of the folks from the Gulf. I know that the Bank of the Ozarks in Harrison Arkansas (the town I'm talking about) has set up a fund to help the folks.

[bliss_eternal]

41. What a great store--yes, check w/them

and get back to us, please. Or post to your city board, if they have a deadline, etc.

[ohio_liberal]

4. Yes, absolutely!

I have tons of clothes, especially kids clothes that are outgrown.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Count me in

I've got a lot of stuff I've been meaning to take to Goodwill.

How will we coordinate this?

[bliss_eternal]

16. Coordination--not sure, yet...lol.

The first thing, I wanted to make sure there was interest and people with clothes they were willing to donate...

Next is finding where evacuate's are being sent, so we can send the clothing to them to distribute...

I guess it would also make sense to designate someone, possibly an interested DU'er in various areas, to save us from shipping all over the country. If there's one person in each area that can collect and then send on--that would probably be most efficient...

Anyone else with ideas on how to do this, please don't hesitate to chime in--I'm no expert by any means... Just tired of seeing people in tattered clothing and no shoes...:(

[kerry-is-my-prez]

7. Yes - tons of clothes I've been trying to find somewhere good to bring it.

n/t

[kerry-is-my-prez]

8. They will need it soon, I'm sure. Good idea to start collecting now.

n/t

[SofaKingLiberal]

9. Yes, I have a few extra boxes.

[Carla in Ca]

11. I'm in...tell me how

n/t

[bliss_eternal]

12. Wonderful--To start, organize what you've got--

into bags, boxes whatever--by categories...women's, men's, unisex, children, etc., etc.,

That way we'll save some time on the other end from people having to sort through the clothes and do more work. I want this to be as easy as possible for them--when we get it to them....

[cynatnite]

13. I've got lots of kids and baby clothes here

We plan on donating them, but I want to make sure they go to the Katrina victims.

[bliss_eternal]

17. That's great-- I know those will be MOST appreciated!

Too many babies and kids with nothing...

[cynatnite]

32. Baby and children's clothes will be needed the most

after food and medicine of course, but I think a major clothing drive is what is needed.

Hubby was telling me that his trucking company is putting together a drive for food and clothing. They are going to open up a warehouse to store it all.

It's a republican company, but every time there is some disaster, they've always stepped up to the plate. One of the driver's wives was telling me that they open up their pocketbook on a regular basis.

One time a driver's son was unexpectedly killed and the family had no money for funeral expenses. Less than 24 hours after the call went out, they had over $5000 in donations.

On Tuesday, I plan on calling the lady who handles the donations at the company to see what they need help with.

[bliss_eternal]

44. Good idea--and thank you!

Please post to your city/state board with details if they have a deadline for delivering goods to their location, prior to shipping it out.

I guess you can let people know it's a Republican organization, they might want to know. I don't think it matters--as long as they get it to Katrina survivors and shelters and NOT the Red Cross. They won't take clothes...

[Horse with no Name]

14. I am still washing clothes out of my garage and putting them on hangers

I had planned on taking them down this weekend.
However...I have had 3 friends who wanted me to take their things too so I will probably go mid week.
You have to bypass the Red Cross on this.
Speak directly to the shelters.
They want the clothes.

[bliss_eternal]

18. Yes! We'll definitely bypass Red Cross--they won't help.

Where can I find the names and/or contact info of the shelters? Then I can get in touch with them to try to coordinate some of this...

I've heard that hotels have offered themselves as shelters, as have a few cruise ships... They may be good places to send some clothes to, too...

Also we gotta' find DU'ers in various regions that would be willing to accept clothes for their area to send on to the shelters...

[Horse with no Name]

25. Call the Red Cross and find out where the shelters in the

area are.
Then call the shelters directly.
Those people know what the people need.
The Red Cross doesn't want to mess with handling clothes.
One thing I did, I hung the shirts and pants and took a piece of tape and put the size on the hanger.
With baby clothes, I sorted it out by size.
I then put 5 outfits in small bags and labelled it "size 18 months--girl--summer", etc.
I hung the coats on hangers and again--did the size on the hanger.
I will admit. I have a lingerie fetish. I had about 40 pair of panties in my drawer and 15 or so bras that still had the tags.
I put 5 pairs of panties in a baggie--put the size on there. Put a couple bras in a baggie and labelled them.
I tried to put a weeks worth of stuff in each prepackage.
I taped the shoes together--put them in a baggie.
Size on the top.
Everything was cleaned and washed. I replaced the shoelaces.
I went through stuffed animals and sorted them out.
I went through toys and disinfected them with bleach water.
I'm still packing stuff up and will probably do so all weekend.
But that is how I am doing mine and that is how I asked my neighbors to do theirs.

[bliss_eternal]

36. This is GREAT! I love that you have a lingerie fetish--

:)

I tried to Red Cross--circuits are busy now, I'll keep trying. When I do get through--I'll post details of the shelters later (hopefully).

I wish there was a way to cut and paste your instructions somewhere, so the people that are interested in donating know a way to treat the items prior to donating.

[Horse with no Name]

45. I didn't know how else to explain why I had that much lingerie

sitting around with the tags still on it.:blush:

[bliss_eternal]

49. We won't even start on my boot fetish...

:evilgrin:

[BuelahWitch]

15. I've got some too.

Women's clothes and shoes, some bras. I was actually going through stuff today thinking what I could send.

Please keep me informed as well. I'm in Lawrence, KS

[bliss_eternal]

20. Absolutely--and thank you!

:hi:

[woodsprite]

21. Count me in. I have about 2 lawn/leaf bags right now

that I had not taken to the Good Will yet. Women's plus sized clothes, some preteen girls clothes and boys 3T-4T stuff.

[bliss_eternal]

22. Great--thank you!

:hi:

[woodsprite]

23. Somebody either here or my Moms' group suggested

combing yard sales this weekend. To add to her stack of clothes that she's sending.

[demgurl]

26. I have boxes of clothes - especially baby/toddler ...

that I want to donate. I searched the internet for two hours last night and could not find a group I could send them to for those poor people. I wish someone would put something together so I can donate.

demgurl

[GreenPartyVoter]

28. I have tons and asked this earlier because I can't afford to mail them so

if anyone knows of a place in Maine that would collect them and take them down, let me know.

-----------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[bliss_eternal]

30. I'll go to the Maine boards and ask for you...

Stay tuned... check over there in a few hours to see if there is any response!

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. Thanks :^)

-----------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[bliss_eternal]

33. One Stop Bike Shop on Main St...

is collecting supplies and goods. Apparently Penobscot Foods is supplying a truck to deliver.

Do you know where this is? Is it anywhere near you or can you call to find out how long they will be collecting?

:hi:

[GreenPartyVoter]

34. I can track them down. Thanks!

-----------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[bliss_eternal]

37. No problemo! When you find out, please post to the thread

here or on the Maine boards how long they are collecting, so we know how long people have to get clothes to them in Maine!

:)

[GreenPartyVoter]

40. I will also check at church tomorrow, though if folks do not want to use a

fundagelical church I understand.

-----------------------------------------------------
Save New Orleans, then save this country!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/electionreform.htm

[bliss_eternal]

47. Good idea--I hear ya'...

I doesn't hurt to check, though...

[Eloriel]

35. You betcha

[bliss_eternal]

38. Hi Eloriel--Good to see you!

:hi:

[BlueStateBlue]

39. I heard on satellite radio today that they are in need of new socks and

underwear.

I stopped in at my local Salvation Army thrift store (looking for ebay treasures) and the manager there said that they were collecting clothing and sorting it, awaiting the go-ahead to send the trucks down. She said the clothing was taking a backseat to the water and food for now.

I went back home and purged a bunch of summer clothes, cleaned out my linen closet of sheets and towels I don't need, and went back to the Salvation Army bin.

[bliss_eternal]

46. Did Satellite radio say where to send the socks and undies?

Thank you so much for contributing to Salvation Army!

:applause:

[qanda]

42. Also, maybe we can petition some of the clothing stores

To give out gift cards to those who are misplaced so that they can buy a few new things for themselves. I guess this would be down the line a bit, but it's just an idea. Imagine 1 million people starting over from scratch.

[bliss_eternal]

48. Yes! Absolutely! This is a great idea--especially once

people get more settled...they will need SO MUCH!

[SammyWinstonJack]

43. I have a lot of clothes I could donate. Adult no kids. nt

Coats lots of coats lightweight. Men's slacks and dress shirts. Polo shirts. My husband probably won't that size again. :yoiks: And most of them are in excellent condition. Count me in.

[Dem2theMax]

50. I'm in. When we do get the info, this needs to be on the front page.

:kick:

[bliss_eternal]

51. Thank you--please try to keep this kicked...

When we get the info on here, someone let a mod know and maybe they will sticky it for the cause.

:hi:

[bliss_eternal]

52. OMG--you guys, resources are coming up faster than I can

write them down!!! :bounce:

I've got Larry King Live on, and there are so many organizations getting trucks out on the road with food AND supplies (that means CLOTHES, too)!!!

They will get the clothes if we pull this together--Yay! I'm feeling hopeful again...

[bliss_eternal]

53. Ah--I've got to go for a while--please keep this kicked...thanks!

:hi:

We're off to a great start!

[Pallas180]

54. I'm in. Maybe United Methodist will take and ship. We should mark sizes

on outside of bag or box.

[Pallas180]

56. Feed The Children will send trucks around to pick up supplies,

they said. They want water, but maybe they'll take clothes.

[phylny]

55. I have a lot of clothes that I'd be willing to pack up and ship.

In donating, remember a few things that I learned when donating to a battered women's shelter.

They need ALL sizes of clothing. People are thin, heavy, tall, short. Also, they need DRESS clothing for people so they can get jobs, go to worship, feeling "good."

[bring_em_home_bush]

57. I have men's and women's clothing and shoes

mostly of the dress and high heel variety, which I can't wear anymore--would that be appropriate?

Also, what about paperback books and board games to while away the time in the shelters?

[yorkiemommie1]

58. i'm in

i JUST cleaned out our closets last week, but they could do w/ a further pruning. and who needs 80 pr of shoes.


i will make my husband and daughter go thru their closets too.

We're in SoCal.

HI, Bliss! Good for you! I'm just back from doing mailers at the Ted Lieu headquarters. I'm going back Monday and will ask them about donating too. Will send out a mass email to friends, also.