A question.

[cornermouse]

If the Katrina "rescue and recovery" has become a U.S. military operation and various contracts are being handed out to private contractors to clean up, demolish, and rebuild New Orleans, why are we giving money to the Red Cross? Doesn't the Red Cross already get money from The United Way on a regular basis? What does the Red Cross actually do besides ask for blood and hand out coffee?

Before you lambast me, I'll point out that I already gave money to help survivors, although not to the Red Cross. Still... Itjust seemed odd.

[Horse with no Name]

1. They run shelters

and feed people.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Like you, I donated elsewhere

Which organization really does things for survivors in the long run? Let's start a list, because it is these charities that we need to keep on supporting.

Refugees International has some really important advice for long term planning. I urge everyone to check it out at their website at

www.refugeesinternational.org

[livetohike]

3. I volunteered a couple of years ago at a relief center

here in S. CA a couple of years ago when the wildfires were raging. The Red Cross had a huge tent there and my job was to hand out supplies to people. The Red Cross has huge warehouses across the US and is stocked with necessities to get a household up and running again.

The things I saw/distributed were: full sets of dishes, silverware, blankets, bedsheets, pillows, cases of water,pet food, infant formula, tables, chairs,etc., clothes

I'm not sure what services were offered inside the large tent. There were tables set up and chairs and people with forms....

[bigbrother05]

4. Read this I posted earlier

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2089599