Okay, Texans, what can we do to help our neighbors in LA?

[efhmc]

[tavalon]

1. For now

Send money, give blood and pray.

[AuntieM1957]

6. Starting a collection at work

we're planning a "skip lunch" day.

Send the money we would spend on lunch to a reputable charity.

leaning toward Red Cross or Second Harvest.

[lavenderdiva]

2. I have 4 'refugees' staying with me for the long term...

until we can figure out a plan for them. I live in Houston, and they all came to stay with us. They will be here for a long while, as they can't go back, and don't think they have anything to go back to.

[tammywammy]

3. A guy at work is from New Orleans

His whole family has come up, plus some friends. He's lucky, because he's about to buy a rental house and another guy at work has had a hard time selling his house (he's already moved and was just going to rent the old one) so there's two extra houses for them to stay in.

It's so sad. I think for me, I'm just going to donate money. (And I can cook up some meals for all of my co-workers guests.) I feel so bad for all those people.

[yellowdogintexas]

4. I'll be donating to UMCOR, the United Methodist Commission

on Relief. The distribution center interestingly enough is in Northern Louisiana and has already donated cots to several of the shelters that are in that area.

UMCOR is generally right behind the Red Cross or arrives with them.
They specialize in Toiletry Kits and "Flood Buckets" for the storm and hurricane victims: Soap, Toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloth towel etc for the toiletry kit and gloves, bucket, scrub brush, cleaning supplies, etc in the Flood Bucket

There are other things as well, but there is a warehouse full of this stuff rolling out as soon as they can get there.

[babylonsister]

5. Flood buckets:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4509720

This caught my attention as well. Sounds great!
I'm not religious, but Go, Methodists!

[theboz]

7. I live in Houston

I did what is the most effective thing we can do right now already and donated money to the Red Cross.

I've noticed that there are lots of people here. It's like Houston's population exploded over the weekend in many segments, and that traffic has increased a whole lot. It's amazing how much difference a large influx of people like that can make.

My greatest concern is that most of the people in the areas affected were already living in poverty. In this case, there will be no homes to return to, no jobs to return to, they will have nothing. This is going to be a huge problem, and I have no idea how we as a society can even begin to help these people. I think it would be best for them to go ahead and start looking for jobs away from New Orleans, Mobile, Biloxi, etc. and try to move on with their lives. People from New Orleans in particular since that city is still getting worse.

I also think that our government is really going to have to do some major social intervention and help these people out in many ways, and I also think that Bush is going to screw it up and these people are going to suffer.

[babylonsister]

8. theboz, welcome to DU!

Yes, money is the recommended commodity now.
Let me dissuade you of a notion; there are going to be a lot of people hit by this storm who are not living in poverty. Many different people have lost homes, jobs, etc.
Many casinos have been destroyed; their casino jobs were the lifeblood of so many families.
I look forward to our gov't doing something; supposedly some ships are en route from VA.
A first-time evacuation from a major city is going to be daunting.

[lavenderdiva]

9. Thanks for donating...

and Welcome to DU! :hi:

[moc]

10. My 9yo daughter came up with the idea for a "Coins for Katrina"

project with some of her friends to raise money through her school. I'm so proud of her. :loveya:

I need to go give blood.

[justabob]

11. How much of the TX National Guard is in Iraq?

Is there any of the TXNG in NOLA? I know the Coast Guard said they had some helos from Texas helping with search and rescue... but heard nothing else. Can we do anything to get some of our guys to LA?

[dogday]

12. I am trying to start a drive with my Daughter's School

Distric.. see more here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=180&topic_id=19201&mesg_id=19201

[seabeyond]

13. cindy's vets and peACE moms are close by

i say dems take over. casey camp was donating stuff, they can just take it there. i am going to work on schools, boyscouts and churches. clothes shoes, ..... stuff..... money.

[efhmc]

14. Aren't they due there tomorrow?

[flying_wahini]

15. someone in houston pm me if they know how to help

i have called the Red Cross - spoke with someone who said someone
would call back - didn't
i called the local church shelter - said didn't need help
i saw on TV that they are TURNING AWAY volunteers at the Astrodome
bought a car load of food to take to the Food Bank
want to do more - anybody here know anything?

[sonias]

16. How Austin can help

Of course contribute to Red Cross if you haven't already. We have at least one shelter open here at the Burger Center at 290 in Austin.

Red Cross is also looking for volunteers here in Austin:
This is your opportunity to lend a helping hand to those in need from
the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. American Red Cross of Central Texas
is looking for volunteers to answer phones here in Austin. They are
currently getting phone calls faster than they can take them, or
return them. They are open from 8am-8pm through Saturday and are
looking at hours for Sunday and Monday, as well. Preference is for
people to work 4-hour shifts (8-12, 12-4, 4-8) or longer because there
is some training involved. They need at least half a dozen for each
shift.

For more information, contact Erin Whitworth of the
American Red Cross of Central Texas at 512-929-1275.
http://www.centex.redcross.org

Sonia