MN to host 3,000 to 5,000 people who lost their homes to hurricane

[katinmn]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/125/5595500.html
Saw Pawlenty's press conference on KARE 11. They will be housed at Camp Riply temporarily, and a search is already taking place for longer term housing.

He said they might stay for an extended period and I appreciated it when he said he hopes some of them decide to make their homes here. I don't care for Pawlenty but I am glad he is being welcoming in this effort.

Minnesota asked to take refugees (stop calling them refugees, AP!)
Brian Bakst, Associated Press
September 4, 2005

Sometime in the coming week, planes will begin bringing victims of Hurricane Katrina to Minnesota, which is preparing to host as many as 5,000 evacuees for a year or longer.

The Camp Ripley military compound will serve as the primary receiving point because of its existing housing quarters and medical facilities. But Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who announced the relocation Saturday, hopes to move people into longer-term housing within 45 days of their arrival.

"We're scrambling here hard to get these plans in place,'' Pawlenty said.

Pawlenty's Department of Education is helping gather school supplies, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency is taking an inventory of available housing and the Department of Health is developing plans to screen and offer medical assistance to the victims.

-more-

[KyndCulture]

1. We should pull together a coat, hat and mitten drive!!

these people are gonna freeze their asses off!

Any other Minnesotans interested?

[katinmn]

3. Yes! Those poor babies are gonna freeze by October!

[uppityperson]

4. box of macaroni, can of tuna, can of mushroom soup too :)

I forwarded this to a sister in MN who has kids and wants to help. They are going to be cold. Do a clothing drive, really good idea.

[katinmn]

5. I got a flyer today from some group that was raising money to send

I think we will gear up for this quickly.

Thanks for passing it along to your sister.:hi:

[KyndCulture]

6. Kat post MN specific details in our forum here.

I can rally plenty of help from up here in DL...there's many who want to help! If we can find an organization to accept clothing donations maybe we can get this together and make it statewide. I know we will take good care of the people coming here for sure!

[katinmn]

9. Will do!

:hi:

[uppityperson]

2. Good and thanks. Forwarded to MN relatives

[wellstone dem]

7. Yes, keep me posted too

I'll work on the St. Cloud area crowd once we have a plan.

I like the mittens, scarves, gloves and mushroom soup idea. (We can always add lots of other stuff, but these Minnesota essentials could form the basis of each care package.)

[dflprincess]

8. Another reason to hope for a mild winter

The first winter here can be an awful shock to people from warmer climates.

I know at Christmas time, agencies tend to get plenty of stuff for little kids, let's remember that teenagers and adults will need warm clothes as well. (and maybe a few copies of "How to Talk Minnesotan"?)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. They'll need sweaters, thick socks, turtlenecks, and other

indoor cold weather clothes, too.

Maybe we can have a "Christmas in October" drive or something. :-)

[electron_blue]

11. Yes! I was just prepping for a garage sale (lots of baby stuff)

Instead I wonder if my child's outgrown toys and clothing should go to Ripley. Especially the snowsuits, coats, and clothing. So far I only see requests for practical stuff, but surely eventually the toys must follow, right?????? I'm talking topnotch stuff here, not junk, in case anyone's wondering.

[dflprincess]

12. I think Bill Cosby mentioned sending toys

I've been wondering about less practical items myself..Toys, books, playing cards, etc. All ages need something to amuse themselves.

[Minnesota Raindog]

13. Benefit for New Orleans musicians Sept. 18 @ the Cabooze

That's in Minneapolis on the West Bank. More details will follow as they develop...