For those who have been asking what they can do tangibly to help, other than donating money to Red Cross, and aren't able to drive down to the Gulf Coast, someone in our local freecycle group suggested that we contact people in other states about the following needs. Some churches that are sheltering evacuees in my town in Crestview, in NW Florida, need supplies. My town is also collecting supplies for victims in Mississippi. And they've been asking on the radio for donated supplies for another shelter soon to be opened up in the neighboring town of DeFuniak Springs.
If people in other parts of the country who can't drive down and don't have any local refugees want to mail any of the stuff on these lists below to my address, e-mail me for my mailing address at chantedor at yahoo dot com. I'll see to it that the supplies get to these places. Below the fold are lists of what they're requesting (some lighter weight than others). All items should be new.
1. [From freecycle member:] Hello family and friends. Have people up north been talking about how to help for the evacuees down south? If so, this is a list of the items we need. We now have 50 people camping in our church. Maybe you could get a campaign started up there.
I know they talk about donating money to the United Way and the Red Cross, but I once read an article about how so much of it goes to the administration for salary for the top dogs running it. So...I always just go right to the source, where the people are, where the actual need is, and help out there, with meals, or supplies, or whatever, DIRECTLY, to the needy, that way I KNOW they get the help I give them, PERSONALLY.
So, if someone wants to send some supplies, to some evacuees, and actually know where it is going, I can help with that. There are several hundred [about 400] at Central Baptist, in town here, 20 folks at Dawson's house in the country (they were part of a 9 children household so they have a lot of bedrooms!), and we have 50 living inside our church. We will be having services outside for a little while, then probably break down into home groups until the evacuees can make it back or find family members to go live with, etc.
Here is a list of items needed: soap, shampoo, toothbrushes & toothpaste, deodorant, body spray, bath towels (or large beach towel size, which they can use on their cots to cover up with as well).
- For the shelter in DeFuniak Springs, they are asking for blankets (lightweight--this is Florida!), toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo, and soap.
- [Note: The follwing collection takes place tomorrow through Thursday, so if you can't send them quickly, it's better to stick with lists 1 and 2.] The Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners will be collecting the following donated items for delivery & distribution of those in need in Harrrison County, Mississippi (Gulfport, Biloxi, etc): Canned Food (this includes baby food), Bottled Water, Mosquito Spray, Towels & Wash Cloths, Suntain Lotion, Canned Drinks, Tarps, Wet Wipes (both adult & infant), Disposable Diapers, Formula for the infants, Charcoal, Lighter Fuel, Flashlights, Batteries (C&D), Large Garbage Bags, Water Coolers, Ice Chests, Personal Hygiene Items.
Again, my e-mail is chantedor at yahoo dot com.