1. Donate Cash.
For those who can afford to do so, this is the best way to help. Avoid smaller charities and groups, as a lower percentage of your gift dollar tends to translate into actual relief.
Red Cross:
1-800-HELP NOW
http://www.redcross.org
Salvation Army:
1-800-SAL-ARMY
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org
Bush/Clinton Katrina fund:
http://www.bushclintonkatrinafund.com/
2. Donate Blood:
Visit the Red Cross website to find a location near you. Blood stocks are always in short supply during a disaster, and will continue to be for some time.
3. Donate Airline Miles:
Have extra/unused miles? This is an incredibly easy way to help -- almost all airlines are accepting donations, which are typically matched by the carrier and then given to the Red Cross. Visit your carrier's website and follow the links -- most have them posted on the front page. You don't even have to donate a whole ticket's worth -- even 1000 miles will do.
http://www.united.com/
http://www.continental.com/
http://www.southwest.com/
http://www.aa.com/
http://www.delta.com/home/index.jsp
4. Adopt a Person:
Shelters in your area may be hosting Katrina refugees, and many need items such as food, clothing, and toiletries. An example in the St. Louis area:
http://stpatrickcenter.org/organization/katrina.html
Check for locations in your region.
5. Adopt a Pet:
The silent victims of this tragedy are the thousands of household pets abandoned or lost by Gulf Coast residents in the evacuation and aftermath of Katrina. As a result, there is an unprecedented need for animal foster families and supplies (dog food, etc.).
Humane Society:
http://www.hsus.org/
Humane Society (MO Branch):
http://www.hsmo.org/m_animalabuse/2005-HurricaneKatrina08-30-05.php
Stray Rescue:
http://www.strayrescue.org/katrina.html
6. Don't Forget:
Katrina coverage will be omnipresent on cable news channels for months, and it will take 10 years for New Orleans to regain its footing. Pay attention, continue to help, and don't allow yourself to get "disaster fatigue." Get your news from a variety of reputable news sources, and pay attention to the broadcasters who are actually on the ground (I highly recommend Joe Scarborough's coverage on MSNBC).
7. Examine Your Prejudices:
Thousands of people died in Katrina, many in part because they were poor and black. Our state, local, and federal governments failed these people in both the evacuation and relief efforts.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2124688/
Media coverage has been equally abysmal:
http://www.wonkette.com/politics//loot-find-rinse-repeat-123297.php
Casual discrimination based on race and class contributed to this tragedy, and that would have been unacceptable 40 years ago ... it is now 2005. The bottom line is that we need to see these people for what they are -- Americans, and victims of an unspeakable tragedy.
8. Vote:
Wetlands rebuilding (the buffer zone that softens the blow from hurricanes) was recently killed, levee budgets were underfunded, evacuation plans were poorly conceived and executed, and the relief effort has been an exercise in incompetence. This is not a partisan issue -- politicians and appointees from both parties have done horrendous jobs: Katherine Blanco (D. Gov., LA), Chertoff (Homeland Security), Brown (FEMA), and various administration officials are examples, and heads should roll. People like Haley Barbour (R. Gov., MS), Ray Nagin (D. Mayor, NO), and Senators Landrieu (D., LA) and Vitters (R., LA) have performed admirably. Some fools (Sen. Dennis Hastert, R., IL) just need to keep their mouths shut. The primary responsibility of government is to keep its citizens safe, and there have been significant failures in that regard at the state, local, and nati onal level.
There is plenty of blame to go around, and the time for accountability is at the 2006 and 2008 polling stations. Find out how your Congressmen (especially those from states other than Louisiana) voted on environmental and funding issues, and make your voices heard.
9. Instead of Presents ...:
The holiday season will be very difficult for millions of people on the Gulf Coast and in New Orleans. Consider sharing in the sacrifice by requesting that people donate to the above-listed charities in your name rather than buy you gifts. Additionally, donate toys and winter clothing to the Salvation Army, as they will be sorely needed.
Please amend and add to this list. Place your name at the bottom and forward as you see fit.
Thanks,
Grant J. Gonnerman
grantjg1@yahoo.com
314-503-5506