We Will Not Be Sitting Idly By

September 01, 2005 | Category: Not The Nightly News

I'm going to interrupt this home hunt for a moment. Between the looting, raping, and shooting in the wake of Katrina and the anniversary of Beslan, I have found myself in near-tears much of the day.

Watching the destruction, the people begging for help, the New Orleans Mayor begging for help, I wondered in frustration if the evil of this world was winning. I felt small, and dumb, and a little like I was sitting idly by. Musing on how far my $50 or $100 Red Cross donation would really go? And it's not like, from a logistical standpoint, they can take a donation of a case of bottle water and a stack of clean t-shirts - right?

Well, yeah.

But I DID find some other ways to help.

- The Red Cross is also accepting airline miles in increments of 1000 so they can fly relief workers and volunteers in and out of the areas. If you're like me, you have some odd miles here and there . Note: American Airlines - curse you American Airlines! - isn't a partner.

- They are also taking spare change. If your grocery store has a CoinStar machine in it (sites found at that link), then you can drop your spare change in for the Katrina victims on your way out the door from shopping.

- Craigslist is posting long-term (a few months or more) housing opportunities for Katrina Victims. If you know of a place, any place, and can offer it at a discount or free - you can post it here. If you have some temporary housing you can offer, please send an email to the (housing@dioms.org) Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi - who are matching up people in need with shelter.

- The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi also needs some supplies. Specifically, the clergy there in Gulfport are looking for a chainsaw, toilet paper, duct tape, and a bunch of other stuff if it can be spared (list is on that link). If you can help, their phone number is: 1-866-550-0872.

- Prayer. The President (yes, Mr. Bush) has a website that allows people to post their prayer requests, and many of Katrina's victims - and those how have lost people to Katrina or do not know if their loved ones are safe - need solace.

We will not be sitting idly by.

God bless them.

God bless America.

(P.S. If you know of other ways to help, please comment! Thanks.) (P.P.S. After I posted this, I discovered it was Blog for Katrina Relief Day. I guess we all just want to help.) (P.P.P.S. Other blogs about Hurricane Katrina Relief)(P.P.P.P.S. Our Melissa's family is in the affected areas. Please send her love.)

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