DIS Giving Challenge for Katrina

[imomtojd]

Just gave to the Red Cross. In a few weeks I'm going to donate to the Salvation Army. This relief will take a LONG time so it's probably going to be good to space out some contributions. Lisa

 

[codsnylvr]

We gave at my sons school. One of their staff members is missing 2 family members. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who lost or have missing family.
Jackie

 

[branv]

I'm so glad I read this! DH and I were talking about how much we wanted to donate to Red Cross, and I was going to do it later today. Since I read this about employers matching donations, I called and asked DH to check to see if his company was doing that and they are! So glad we found a way to make it go even further.

I have a big bag of clothes I had planned to donate to our library thrift shop, but now I'm wondering if there is some place that is taking clothes for those who lost their belongings in Katrina. I'm in Austin, anyone know of a place?

 

[QueenTriton]

Try the American Red Cross of Central Texas. They are located in Austin and can probably give you info. and put you in touch with someone collecting.

We gave to the Red Cross yesterday. After this initial phase, we will probably make additional donations to those helping with rebuilding, like Habitat for Humanity and others.

 

[meandmad]

My employer is making a $20k corporate donation AND matching all employee donations. Even if you don't donate through the company, if you provide them with proof of your donation, they'll still match it.

I'm so proud of my company!!!

 

[notbernie]

We also donated to the Red Cross yesterday. There are a lot of wonderful, caring people on this board, it's nice to be in such great company.

 

[vossjemi]

Donated to Red Cross and a local charity Convoy of Hope. Our local charity was one of the first ones to send much needed supplies down to Mississippi and Louisiana. We live in Springfield, Missouri. My brother works for Prime, Inc. It is a major trucking company. He is a CPA there. The owner Rob Low is a multi millionaire who owned the Palace Casino that fell into the sea. You may have seen the pictures. His CFO and casino manager as well as most of the ees all lost their homes. He is a CEO who not only cares about his ees but all of the region already donating several million dollars to the relief effort. He is personally going down there today with a jet full of supplies. My brother had the day off today, but he along with many of his co-employees spent the day gathering, buying and purchasing many supplies to fill the company jet. It is wonderful to see our great country moving as fast as they can to help those in need.

Oh, and I almost forgot...he has also donated many many of his trucks to various organizations to assist in getting supplies asap. What a great guy!

 

[Barbmouse63]

Great thread!!!!!!!!! We are donating items to be taken as well!! Let's all do what we can to help!

 

[Kimmielee]

I contract for one company, work for another... both companies are matching donations from employees and giving a minimum of $25K on top of that! It is so nice to see our country pull together... no matter what, we are Americans!!!

 

[uwbadger]

Wonderful thread. We should all try and do our part. We gave to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army yesterday.

-Sherri

 

[Cajun Cruiser]

I think I can safely represent all the residents who live on the Gulf Coast in saying thank you to all who are praying for us and opening your hearts to us and our families, thats what makes this country so great. Thanks to all who are leaving their families to come and help our communities recover from this devastating event. God Bless all of you. For those of you who don't know, I am a resident of South Louisiana who have family members who were directly affected by the storm and lost everything. I also have a nephew who is in the National Guards and was stationed in the Superdome in New Orleans and is also one who has lost everything.



GOD BLESS YOU ALL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FFerret]

I just donated to the Red Cross

We're just south of Houston--our church will provide shelter for 250, so I'm going to see if they can use all the umbrella strollers I had planned to put in a garage sale, etc. Also our school will probably be enrolling some from LA--they're doing several drives including a stuffed animal one. My little kids have amassed so many of these over the years--it's great to know they'll find a child who'll truly love them.

This is so much worse than 911...

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

This thread was the extra incentive I needed to donate. Thanks for starting it! I gave through Lutheran World Relief (lwr dot org)--100% of donations go to cause.

 

[bushdianee]

I was able to donate at a local grocery store. The school where I teach is going to start collecting also. At least 2 of our hospitals are waiting for patients to be flown in. Also our school districts are offering enrollment to survivors. Housing is also being made available in our area.

 

[JJsmama]

I gave too. I gave directly to the Red Cross, then found out Dh's company is matching donations up too $100,000. So I may give again. On top of the matching, the company has given $250,000 more.

I wish I was closer to the stuffed animal / toy drives for kids. I have so much clothing and toys we could give. So far, our drives around here are only taking canned goods, water, etc and no clothing, blankets, toys.

I keep praying.

 

[jennat]

My best friend was on the coast of Mississippi and didn't evacuate. Her ex decided to go down and get her and their son. So we filled his pickup to the top with gasoline and food, canopeners, flashlights, batteries, water, tp everything we could think of and off he went. I spoke to her yesterday and she is fine Thank goodness. I know they don't want people doing things on their own but we were going down anyway and this way we know we are helping her community. There are soooo many that need help.

 

[jlmarr]

Donated to redcross.org and my company is matching 100%.

 

[HeelMD]

Thought I would give an update. Change of plans....will not be going to Slidell after all. I will be deployed on Sept. 12 for a 14 day stint at a tent field hospital near Biloxi. Mainly, I'll be doing primary care/emergency care with possible transfer to a temporary women's health unit at some point.

Getting a little antsy because I want to get down there ASAP and help, but the logistics are taking a bit of time. They are focusing on getting everyone out of the dangerous areas and getting them shelter first. After that, they will be setting up the mobile hospital units. I'll keep you posted.

 

[JJsmama]

HeelMD,

What a wonderful thing you are doing. ALthough most of us want to help, it is always amazing to watch people leave our net of safety and go into dangerous, miserable areas to help others. May you be blessed for it. I'll pray for you.

 

[Verandah Man]

Thanks for the update, you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.