A way to help

Dear ones,

I am finding it difficult to go about my life as normal with the horror that is happening in NewOrleans. At least two diarists that I know here are struggling with homelessness and/or having lost everything. It is utterly heart-breaking. Yet the heart-warming outpouring towards those we know and care about within this OD community has been extraordinary.

MissMelliss asked me to pass this along:

I’m sure you’ve seen the horrifying images on TV of destruction left by Hurricane Katrina, and the many, many people left with nowhere to go.

You can help. MoveOn.org just launched a website, http://www.hurricanehousing.org, to connect your empty beds with hurricane victims who desperately need a place to wait out the storm.

You can post your offer of housing (a spare room, extra bed, even a decent couch) on http://www.HurricaneHousing.org or search there for housing if you need it.

MoveOn will pass requests from hurricane victims or relief agencies on to volunteer hosts, who can decide whether or not to respond to a particular request. The host remains anonymous until they reply to someone looking for housing.

I just posted my own offer. I hope you will too, or pass this on to people you know in the Southeast:

http://www.HurricaneHousing.org

Housing is most urgently needed within reasonable driving distance (about 300 miles) of the affected areas, especially New Orleans.

So I am passing this on to any of you out there.

I am proud to know many of you here who care so deeply.

Thank you. You are wonderful.

:)xo

Adagio

Edelweis

September 2, 2005

I feel terribly sad for what I see happen there. A incomprehesible horrible situation. My heart goes out to all the people who suffer so much and European countries have offered all the help and assistance necessary to help the Americans. Really dramatic situation!

Our Australian government has pledged 10million in aid. And we can personally donate through Red Cross.I am so glad someone has set up a website such as the one you describe. It is all just so terrible. I am and will continue to pray….

Shi

This is a wonderful idea, thanks for the link.

That’s such a great idea. Isnt the internet wonderful?

The Kid

I’d like to do this, but I think New England is a bit far for those poor folks…

Avanti

Canada has navy ships, helicopters, airbuses, divers, engineers, search and rescue personnel either allready there or on the way to help those in dire straits. Hundreds of thousand of dollars have been pledged and, of course, the Red Cross is accepting donations across the country. The States came to our aid during the Ice Storm several years ago – it is time to reciprocate… My heart aches…

zhnee

September 3, 2005

It is so heartwarming to see people banding together to help when things like this occur. Gives me hope for us.

Robin W

Willo2+

This is a wonderful link, although our house is tiny, we now have an empty bedroom since Tommy’s enlistment. We are also close enough to help. Let’s also remember the animals, check with vets, pet shops and feed stores for ways to help. Thanks for listing this.

I’m taking temporary break from OD, dear one. I need to focus on creative projects, and this place is a time black hole. heh. I’m tempted to open up my home, but I have some selfish reservations (we have one tiny, tiny bathroom). I suspect we’re too far for any offer we would make to be practical. But Mr. B, the Girl and even I are on fund-raising rolls.