Hurricane Katrina - Pack a Bag

Links to help victims of Hurricane Katrina are posted below.

I had a hard time on the ride home last night. I had the truck because it was chilly yesterday when I went to leave. NPR is talking by phone to a lady in IOWA who is arranging to pick up a family in the Katrina disaster area and bring them home to help get them on their feet. I was in tears and almost sobbing. I didn't learn till I was home that the levees broke.

We burned out in 1988. I won't get into the total recount of the event but it was a mess. I mean we were lucky, the garage was saved and we had our i.d. and checkbook, keys to the car and the hunting stuff from the camper topper plus the armload of coats I had grabbed on the way out. From the house we salvaged some photos, the mates army records, a cast iron frying pan and 1 ceramic thing. All the rest was gone. We had two 16 yr. old girls in high school, the two dogs and three cats that survived and had just gotten groceries that day. It all burned up.

But the rest of our neighbors were there and our families and churches and our friends. They gave us clothes, let us use their phones, sent money and furniture, held fund raisers and bailed us out as much as they could. We had places to stay with family and the local emergency agencies did what they could. In 6 months we had a trailer put in and were trying to start over with one less pay check as I was injured at my job and my wrists were spagetti.

I learned what could and could not be done to help people in our situation and what the rules were that we did or didn't meet to get that help. When we were up again I built a pamphlet for the fire department to give to people with house fires so they could skip some of the hard spots we had to deal with. I printed them on the computer and handed them out to 3 of the local fire departments. It wasn't much and it was only local but I felt better.

I had made the connection to "what if we all burned out?" early in the adventure. It was not a good thought. All the wildfires, tsunamis, tornados and other diasters seriously affect me. I gave blood and sent money but really people, now what do we do? There are hundreds of thousands with NOTHING!

Katrina is giving this nation a chance to show that it is NOT the president and it is NOT the people in our government that sets our standards and demonstrates our beliefs - it is "WE, the people!"

We, the people - that open our homes, offer to take someone in , offer bed and board, and help them get by till things are more under control. The mate and I are offering our spare bed to one couple or a single adult. Even on one income we can feed a third or fourth person. ( I hope)

We, the people - that set up free message boards for survivors
FQ/Marigny/Bywater Message Board
Uptown/Garden District/CBD Message Board
New Orleans East Message Board
MidCity/Broadmoor/City Park Message Board
West Bank/Algiers Point/Gretna Message Board
Holy Cross/Lower Ninth Ward Message Board
Anywhere Else Message Board

We, the people - That attempt the impossible, coordinating blogs linking to help for the victims.

So, NOW, You the people, want to help but you don't know what you can do. You don't have a lot of time or money but you still want to help.

I think this would be a great time to simplify your life. Get rid of the stuff you horde for no apparent reason. I want to see We, the people - Pack a Bag.

Pack a bag - and mail it to the Astro Dome, Houston TX, 77092 or to General Delivery, any post office and zip just north of the mess or to hotels in the area. The people there will get it to where it's needed. Most

Pack a Bag - Over nighter. Label it "Adult female, size XX" or "Boy size XX" Use a duffle, backpack or an overnight bag and fill it with what you would need for a trip, PJ's, slippers, flip flops, jeans, shorts, shirts, think hot and muggy with little privacy. Towel, washcloth, Barettes, hair brush, aspirin, tylenol for kids, bandaids, toothbrush, perfume, a pair of earrings. Keep it basic. You can bet that there is someone your size and sex that could use this and the bag to carry it in.

Pack a Bag - Baby - Canned milk, baby food, formula, diapers, one-sies, pjs, rattle, pacifier, orajel, liquid baby aspirin, bibs, socks, t shirts, blanket, baby wipes, musical toy, teddy bear. Use your imagination or, if you have a baby, pack a bag for staying gone 3 days and mail it labeled "Baby, X - XX months.

Pack a Bag - Emergency Food - Think snacks, think light weight camping out. Canned milk, beef jerky, spam, fruit, formula, that can of Pringles. think travel, no refridgeration, no storage area, dry milk, koolaid, trail mix, granola, instant oatmeal, tuna in a bag, instant soup. Add a small camp pan kit, can opener, and plastic utensils.

Pack a Bag - Entertainment - stick in some puzzles, puzzle books, stuffed toys keep minimal, nerf balls, dolls, trucks, books, comic books, decks of cards, a cribbage board, pencil, paper, crayons, coloring books, a harmonica, knitting needles, crochet hooks and yarn, and travel games. Add a yarn craft book, small sissors, glue, color paper. No battery powered toys.

Think, these people have to wait in line, wait for help, wait to find somewhere to go and something to entertain kids with or pass the time is treasured.

Pack a Bag - Carry my home in my hand- air mattress, camping chairs, tents, bedding, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, inflatable pillows.

Pack a Bag - Get organized - a sewing kit and sissors, measuring tape, several colors of thread, coat hangers, a free standing coat rack, cardboard dressers, large, medium and small plastic tubs. People always send clothes and bedding but there is no where to store it, no way to re size it or hem it up.

Pack a Bag - Handy man - You know the list - Hammer, phillips and flat tip screwdriver, pliers, black tape, duct tape, wire, nails, screws, adjustable wrench, vise grips, needle nosed pliers and a box to keep it in.

Pack a Bag - Contact - Cards, envelopes, stationairy, stamps, a phone card, pen, pencil and all tucked into a zip lock bag.

You don't have to get carried away. Having been there I can tell you that the smallest thing is appreciated and treasured. I cried over a little piece of rose scented soap because everything else smelled like a tire fire and now I could smell like a woman again. Just think what each memeber of your family would need and pack a small bag, label it and send it. My old lady bag goes out tomorrow!

For my few readers: Please pass on this post. I know how much being able to tidy up and get human feeling means to these people in shock and dispair. I just want to help.