E-mail from Chris Bell...........a compassionate leader

[merci_me]

ChrisBell.com

Dear Friends,

When we launched our online fundraising drive a few weeks back, I planned on sending you an email this afternoon asking for your help in a final push towards our goal. But there is a time for politics and a time to put politics on hold, and this week is clearly a time when campaigning needs to take a back seat to the bigger picture.

Disasters of this magnitude remind us of our vulnerability, but they can also bring out the best in us. For an all-too-brief moment, we remember that we are all in this together, and that we are called to be our brothers’ keepers.

Texas is opening its arms to those affected by this tragedy. Thousands of storm victims have already taken refuge in Houston-area shelters, and state and federal officials are preparing to evacuate up to 23,000 refugees from New Orleans to the Astrodome beginning this evening.

This relief effort reflects the best Texas tradition of matching compassion with real action, but it is a massive undertaking and we all need to pitch in. That’s why I’m writing to you today to encourage you to make the most generous contribution possible to the Houston Food Bank:

https://secure.houstonfoodbank.org/onlineDonations.html

The Houston Food Bank will be working directly with the Red Cross as the point organization distributing food, water, and emergency supplies to area shelters. Each dollar you contribute to the Houston Food Bank will provide $25 worth of food to disaster victims.

In addition to financial contributions, food banks across the state are in desperate need of volunteers to help sort and distribute food donations. You can find details about volunteering at your local food bank on our website:

http://www.chrisbell.com/blog/083105_food_bank

As I said, there is a time for politics, and there is a time to put politics on hold. Don’t worry, I’ll be hitting you up for money again soon enough, but for right now there are bigger priorities. Our neighbors have turned to us for help in their most desperate hour. Please help the Houston Food Bank answer that call.

Sincerely,

Chris Bell
Chris Bell
http://www.ChrisBell.com

P.S. Please forward this email to friends and family. We need everyone’s help to meet this challenge. The Associated Press says that the refugees may be with us through Christmas, so we’re all going to have to work together.

[sonias]

1. Nick Lamspon is stepping up as well

Really great men, the both of them.

Nick's e-mail:

On Monday, Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast, leaving a trail of tragedy in its wake.

At this point, hundreds of people are reported dead and many more have been injured. Thousands of homes have been damaged, cities have been flooded, and major highways destroyed. Preliminary estimates say that the damage from the storm could reach as high as $25 billion or more –- not to mention the pain and distress it has caused to hundreds of thousands of people.

Right now there is a critical need for food, water, and basic necessities across the entire Gulf Coast, including in Houston where more than 100,000 refugees are expected to take shelter, including more than 25,000 in the Astrodome alone.

I hope you’ll join me in lending our support to the relief effort. Here are just a few things you can do to help:

(1) Stop by our Clear Lake campaign office between 8am and 8pm Thursday or 8am and noon Friday to drop off food for local relief efforts. Then if you’re able, please join me Friday at noon as we deliver your generous donations to the Houston Food Bank and volunteer our time to distribute the food to thousands of victims from New Orleans who are taking shelter in Houston. Please email us at [e-mail] if you have any questions.

Lampson for Congress -- Clear Lake Office
18065 Upper Bay Rd., Ste. 217
Nassau Bay, TX 77058

(2) Donate what you can to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, two of many organizations that are providing vital relief to disaster victims on the frontlines.

Victims of this terrible disaster are relying on all of us to get through these next few weeks as they struggle to find shelter, care for their children, and rebuild their lives. Together, we must stand by them in their time of need.


Sincerely,
Nick Lampson


P.S. The Red Cross has opened 10 shelters in the Greater Houston area to help disaster victims forced from their homes by Hurricane Katrina. The shelters will remain open and additional shelters will be opened as necessary.


As of Wednesday noon:
Mont Belview Sr Center (Full/112 capacity)
11607 Eagle Drive

Baytown Community Center (Full/250 capacity)
2407 Market St
Baytown, TX

Memorial Baptist Church (Full/135 capacity)
600 W. Sterling
Baytown, TX

St. Peter Claver (Full/220 capacity)
6005 N. Wayside Drive
Houston, TX

Moody Methodist Church
2803 53rd Street
Galveston, TX


New Shelters:
Spring Tabernacle (47 people/200 capacity)
3034 FM 2920
Spring, TX

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (250 capacity)
18220 Upper Bay Rd-Nassau Bay
Houston, TX

St. Mary's Catholic Church (200 capacity)
701 Church Street
Huntsville, TX

Fairmont Park Baptist Church
10401 Belfast
LaPorte, TX

New Life Central
2104 Underwood
LaPorte, TX

Also a Red Cross information Hotline number regarding locations of shelters is available for Hurricane Katrina victims. Call Red Cross 1-(866) GET-INFO. Due to the high demand, the Houston Chapter has opened a local phone bank to provide information on Houston Area Red Cross activities at 713.313.5480.

Families and individuals are advised to bring along basic personal items that they will need in the shelter. Those items should include pillows and bedding items, essential medications and health-related items, extra clothing, and a toy or activity for any children they might be bring with them.

The centers will provide a safe haven for individuals and families evacuated from homes affected by Hurricane Katrina.