Our City Prepares to Receive Refugees!

[TNKBELL]

Our city has been placed on standby to receive victims of Katrina. I was so surprised because we are so far away, but I'm glad we can help, many of the schools and other companies are asking for donations to help with this effort. My brother works for a medical supplier and he sent supplies to the hospital for 10,000 people. I guess we'll see if it actually happens. Any other cities out there preparing to receive refugees as well?

 

[4girlsmom]

I heard on our local news last night that some will come to San Francisco, too. That was good of your brother to do that.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Our city is setting up to receive 500 or more today. The news that these survivors are being encouraged to just "set down roots" and get on with their lives where ever they are sent.

Lori

 

[justKim]

I read that our school system has already enrolled over 100 new students from the displaced families.

 

[stacy347]

I also heard that our governor offered to take in 10,000 up here. I don't know if that many would actually want to relocate so far from home but I'm trying to find out more info about it so I can help in some way if possible.

 

[angiedora]

We're 30 miles south of Atlanta and we're already getting a steady stream of evacuees. They are being enrolled in school. The makeshift shelters are asking for toiletries and clothes as well as cash. I'm interested to hear what our Pastor says at church today. I'm sure he will have news on more ways that we can help.

 

[prplcrzy]

I heard on the news last night that Boston it trying to figure out the logistics of taking in 2,000 people. It's a long way from home for these people, but at least they'll have food and shelter and will be together.

Nancy

 

[MommyTo5]

TNKBELL - Just curious where in Kansas you are?

~ Angie
MommyTo5

 

[ajm1107]

Looks like we might get some also. We had an announcement last night that we would be an official FEMA site. I hope so, I would love to get my son involved in volunteering for this.

 

[TNKBELL]

I heard on our local news last night that some will come to San Francisco, too. That was good of your brother to do that.

My brother didn't donate those items, they were ordered by the hospitals, it's just his job to supply them.I used that as an example of how many victims we might receive.
I am in Wichita, Kansas.
I hope we hear something at Mass today about helping the victims.

 

[MommyTo5]

It is amazing that they are bringing those displaced by Katrina as far as they are... I just read in the Kansas City that we will be getting 250 families:

<< Kansas City Fire Department Battalion Chief Edward Collins is organizing an effort to get 250 families who are homeless in New Orleans to Kansas City. He has already got three buses and is planning on having them leave by the middle of next week to pick up some families. He needs host families and job offers for the people coming. If you can help him, e-mail him at relief@parkkci.com. >>

Also, Kansas City's Children's Mercy hospital took 24 ill children from the New Orleans area and is helping to make arrangements for their families to get settled here. http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/12550533.htm

TNKBELL - I'll be thinking (and praying) for those coming to Wichita!

~ Angie
MommyTo5

 

[tatooed goofy]

I heard about Michigan and in Wisconsin, we are suppossed to get some as well. I just don't know how many. God Bless them where ever they may go.

 

[soccerchick]

Washignton DC is supposed to get 400 families. They are supposed to be here by Monday morning. I've got a pile of clothes started to take. I have felt so helpless. Athough we've donated $, this actually feels like I'm doing something.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

I'm from the Atlanta area as well (20 miles west). I-20 runs through my county, and considering we're not a large city by any means, the community is pretty saturated with evacuees. They are in hotels, church gyms, private homes, anywhere that can accomodate a cot to sleep on. The parks and churches are being used as donation sites. I spoke with a nurse at church this morning that has gotten involved with the medical needs. Things we don't realize - a lot of these people have rashes from being in the water and being exposed to bacteria, germs, etc. They need wheelchairs and walkers that aren't broken. They're asking for gift cards to pharmacies in order to get medication that the evacuees need. A lot of these people thought they were leaving home for a few days while the storm passed through, and now realize home isn't there any longer.

At least another plane is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

I am very proud of my community. I overheard one evacuee on her cell phone at Wal-Mart today. She was praising the treatment they're receiving while in town.

I am so very blessed to have a bed to sleep in tonight.

 

[t&csmom]

Im from kc and we already have a few here now that have decided to make it home. KC has already gave them places to stay, jobs, food money, etc. pretty much everything they need for a while.

 

[Amyality]

My sister works for NIH (National Institue for Health) in Wahsington DC, and she said they filled the building the cancer ward just moved out of with sick and healthy refugees yesterday. She also said the building was in pretty rough shape.

 

[rcraw45425]

We're south of Atlanta and like EEyore's girl have received a lot of evacuees. I read that the local regional hospital system has offered a closed hospital across the river in Phenix City for shelter. I'm amazed that so many have wound up so far from their homes! EEyore's Girl, were you close to Carrolton, where the tornado came through?

 

[ADisneygirl]

We had some arrive into Tampa International airport the other day. Some were brought up by me to a Red Cross shelter in Tarpon Springs. God bless them. Such a tragedy.

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

We're south of Atlanta and like EEyore's girl have received a lot of evacuees. I read that the local regional hospital system has offered a closed hospital across the river in Phenix City for shelter. I'm amazed that so many have wound up so far from their homes! EEyore's Girl, were you close to Carrolton, where the tornado came through?

I'm in Douglas County. You bring up a good point - there's families in the county next door dealing with some of the same issues as those we're seeing on the media coverage.

Again, I am so very blessed...

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Great to see that everyone is lending a hand! I really need to stress that these unfortunate people should not be referred to as "refugees." These are American citizens. I think evacuees is much more appropriate (as I see many have used here). Just needed to get that off my chest, thanks.