Portland OR wants to help

[msmerbear]

Like everyone else, we are feeling frustrated. I called several relief agencies in my town and they are no longer taking volunteers. Can we come down south to help? Should we stay away?
Interested in knowing if there are people out there interested in helping those folks in the gulf states. I have a travel trailer to sleep volunteers if anyone has a vehical to tow it. Let's get down there and help!

[bwhitten]

If you want to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina but do not know where to begin, here is a short comprehensive list I have compiled to assist with your efforts. It is a place to start. Register with the appropriate organizations so that they know what equipment, resources, or manpower you have available and they can utilize the same in a more effective manner. Please feel free to redistribute this list!

Check my MSN Space frequently for updates to this list!

Please feel free to contact me if you need further information.

Thank you kindly and hugs to all!
Brenda
bwhitten@midsouth.rr.com
http://spaces.msn.com/members/bwhitten/

IMPORTANT NOTE: N E V E R give your personal information to anyone via email and please verify all web sites that someone may send you in an email asking for donations. There are plenty of scam websites, which will try to steal your personal information. I have included lists with phone numbers and addresses where assistance is needed. All of the information below can be easily verified.


A place to start:

Network For Good - REGISTER TODAY!
You can donate your time, resources or manpower.
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/

American Red Cross - REGISTER TODAY!
You can donate your time, resources or manpower.
http://www.redcross.org/

Somewhere To Go - REGISTER TODAY!
If you have housing available for hurricane victims or if you are a victim and need a place to stay then get connected to those people here.
http://www.somewheretogo.org/

Contractors who want to donate resources/equipment register here - REGISTER TODAY!
http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/offices/contract/Katrina/ContractorRegister.php

News and information Web portal for the construction industry - REGISTER TODAY!
Special emphasis on connecting construction professionals to the rebuilding effort.
http://www.ForConstructionPros.com

Rescue Animals Affected By The Hurricane - REGISTER TODAY!
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=hurricane_volunteer


Other Resources:

National and LOCAL MEMPHIS CONTACT info for Hurricane Victims and people wanting to help
http://www.memphistravel.com/Katrina.html
http://www.kix106.com/katrina.htm

Excellent Information on Lost and Found Persons and How To Help
http://www.ojr.org/ojr/wiki/katrina/

Databases to connect friends and loved ones after Katrina
http://www.networkforgood.org/OffsiteFrame/?SiteURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.gulfcoastnews.com%2f

Government Agencies, Lost and Found People Database, More Ways to Help
http://katrina.internet2.edu/wiki/main.html

List of Resources for Reconnecting with Missing Friends and Family
http://goneworleans.about.com/od/famouslandmarks/a/findsurvivors.htm

CNN Reported Safe List
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2005/hurricanes/list/

Katrina Missing/Stranded Persons Request
http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/home.do

Hurricane Katrina Survivor List
http://www.katrina-survivor.com/

[NicoMoon]

This is also the reason that we are maintaining the shelter database, because people are being rapidly transferred out of the huge shelters and into smaller ones across the country.

It's easier for those seeking something to do to directly contact shelter coordinators and find out what is needed from them.

When organizations turn us away, we have to think creatively about what we can do without their support as long as we are careful to not add to the confusion.

I keep thinking that if I were in one of these shelters having been shifted around from place to place, waiting and waiting for my turn to get help, only to find out later that help was available to me from good people who were anxious to help me out, I'd be quite upset.

As I understand it, all shelter residents are not confined to barracks, some of these people are out and about, so why not get them some information on available local resources in the form of a flyer, include contact information, and hand them a cell phone or give them access to the internet with a laptop?

How about coordinating with food vendors in the area and trying to get donations to fund an ice cream truck, or a hot dog stand to set up outside local shelters? A little treat might be just the thing to take some pressure off, and a welcomed distraction.

And what about reading materials? Are shelter residents getting newspapers, magazines or books?

Just some thoughts. Feedback would be good! I'm trying to think outside the box here, I think that's what all who are frustrated by the major relief agencies need to be doing.

[bwhitten]

Those are great ideas! I will try to implement some of those ideas in my area!

[Adrienne]

I need you! Im going to email you about your offer.

Like everyone else, we are feeling frustrated. I called several relief agencies in my town and they are no longer taking volunteers. Can we come down south to help? Should we stay away?
Interested in knowing if there are people out there interested in helping those folks in the gulf states. I have a travel trailer to sleep volunteers if anyone has a vehical to tow it. Let's get down there and help!