America Unite!

[Monkey Phat]

After 9/11 our great nation came together. We stood side by side. Every color, race, and sex were united in supporting our fellow Americans who were devestated by a terrible tragedy.

The people of Louisiana deserve, I demand, we do the same for them. We can squabble about politics and play the blame game after they are rescued and given the basic neccesities to sustain their lives.

Please do not get caught up in the anger and mudslinging until every single person is safe.

Thank you all for everything you are doing. God bless everyone!

Kim

Train-Calling All Angels

I need a sign to let me know you?re here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere
I need to know that things are gonna look up
?Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup

When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you feel the world shake from the words that are said

I need a sign to let me know you?re here
?Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me

And I?m calling all angels
I?m calling all you angels

[chocolasky]

Hello. I live in Dallas and plan to go the reunion on Saturday to get on the volunteer list. Where else can I get info in volunteering in Dallas.

[NicoMoon]

DALLAS AREA

From 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, WFAA-TV (Ch. 8) will host a drive-through to collect monetary donations in front of its studios at Young and Record Streets in downtown Dallas. All funds collected will go to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

New Vision Christian Academy in Oak Cliff is accepting donations of clothing, food and toiletries Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The school is located at 4710 West Illinois, Dallas, located inside Templo De Alabanza. Contact Juan Bell at 214-333-2147 for more information.

Jesuit College Preparatory School's Friday night football game between Jesuit and Bishop Lynch High School will be a benefit event. Proceeds from the game will help hurricane victims. The game will be played at 7:30 p.m. at Jesuit's Ranger Stadium. Tickets are $7 at the gate. Tickets purchased in advance are $5, and students are admitted for $3.

The Garland Downtown Business Association, working with the Garland Jaycees, will collect monetary donations as well as bottled water, Gatorade, juice boxes, nonperishable food and toiletries. Collections will be made between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday at the Square in Historic Downtown Garland during First Saturday Trade Days.

The Bedford Fire Department in conjunction with the Bedford Professional Firefighter Association will be "filling the boot" in support of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort from 2:30 to 7 p.m. through Saturday at Airport Freeway and Central Drive. Cash donations are requested, but checks may be made payable to the Bedford Professional Firefighter Association or "BPFFA"; please write "Hurricane Katrina" on the memo line. For more information, call Communications Manager Mirenda McQuaggee-Walden at 817-952-2107.

Christian Community Action is organizing a community food drive to benefit victims of the hurricane Katrina. Non-perishable food donations and bottled water may be dropped off:
?From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Old Town Western Days (look for the CCA truck in Old Town Lewisville, in front of City Hall.)
?From noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at Christian Community Action Donation Drive Through, 128 South Mill St. in Lewisville.
?From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day (except Sunday) at Resale by CCA-Business 121 Lewisville, 2202 Business 121, and Resale by CCA-The Colony, 5000 Main St., Suite 270.
?For other locations, visit CCA online at www.ccahelps.org.

Vista Ridge Mall in Lewisville serves as a donation site for the American Red Cross and its efforts to assist those affected by Hurricane Katrina. A collection canister is located at the mall's customer service center. Carter BloodCare will be at the mall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday in an effort to help ease the blood shortage in the Gulf Coast area. Blood bank workers will be on the upper level, in the center court area near Bombay.

Wilshire Baptist Church has partnered with University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, La., to provide Hurricane Katrina refugees with resources. Donations of cash are preferred, but new bedding items and toiletry items also may be brought to the church at 4316 Abrams Road from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sunday. For more information, contact the church at 214-452-3100.

Sachse First United Methodist Church, 1520 Blackburn Road, is collecting items to help the victims. Bring donations to the Family Life Center located directly behind the main building from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Tuesday through Friday of the week of Sept. 5. For more information, call 972-530-1005 or e-mail preacherruss@yahoo.com .

Sleep Experts will accept donations of bottled water and non-perishable food at any of the 19 North Texas locations through Monday. Items most needed: bottled water, hand-held snack items such as granola, energy or breakfast bars and protein items such as beef jerky, peanut butter and canned meals. Sleep Experts will arrange delivery to victims staying in North Texas. Monetary donations to the American Red Cross are also welcomed at the Sleep Experts stores. Checks should be made payable to the Red Cross.

The Dallas Park Central Residence Inn, 7642 LBJ Freeway, is having a free garage sale for victims staying at the hotel at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Please bring clothes, toys, food, blankets, pillows and other items from around the house to the hotel. Anyone attending the sale will have to present an out-of-state license. For information, call general manager Melissa Van Sickels at 972-503-1333.

Collin County will host a blood drive by Carter Blood Center to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Collin County Health Care Services office, 825 N. McDonald St. in McKinney. People from throughout the county are asked to participate. For those unable to give blood, cash and check donations will be accepted and delivered to the American Red Cross. Call 972-548-5532.

The Dallas-area chapter of the Louisiana State University alumni association will collect cash and checks for the American Red Cross at its football season kickoff party at 6 p.m. Sept. 10 . The event will be at Ben's Half Yard House, 7102 Greenville Ave. For information, call chapter president Stacey Little at 972-437-0310.

ONGOING OPPORTUNITIES

Allen Community Outreach: Accepting donations for flood victims who are in need of gas, food, clothing and shoes. The money will be used for basic needs as well as to provide emergency assistance (rent and utilities) for families relocating to Allen, Lucas or Fairview. Call the ACO office at 972-727-9131 or donate online at www.acocares.org with the designation "Hurricane/Flood Victim Relief." The ACO office, 301 W. Boyd, Ste. A, is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Best Friends Animal Society: Hurricane Katrina relief fund will help the animal rescue groups and shelters of Louisiana and Mississippi provide fresh water, food, shelter and ongoing veterinary care for all of the animal victims. All money donated will go directly to the groups helping the animals. To donate online, go to https://www.bestfriends.org/donate/index.cfm?.

Catholic Charities USA: A collection will be taken throughout the United States. Gifts should be sent to 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund, Catholic Charities USA , P.O. Box 25168, Alexandria, VA 22313-9788.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service: Bring gently used or new clothing, shoes, socks, underwear, blankets, pillows, non-perishable food, water, personal care itemsor toys to the CCCS headquarters located at 901 North McDonald (Highway 5), Suite 600 in McKinney between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Dallas: The city has set up a hot line for those who wish to donate money and/or volunteer time. Call 214-670-4275.

Coppell Chamber of Commerce: Donate baby and children's supplies for about 700 hurricane victims newly arrived at the Hilton DFW in Grapevine. There is a need for diapers, disposable training pants, formula, cribs, playpens and toys. Items should be taken to Austin Ranch at 2009 Anderson Gibson Road in Grapevine (just north of the Hilton DFW). For more information, call Austin Ranch at 817-481-1536.

Council on American-Islamic Relations: has asked mosques and Islamic centers throughout the Untied States to hold special blood drives, prayers and fund-raising efforts for disaster relief. Muslim charities offering assistance to the victims include Islamic Relief and ICNA Relief.

North Texas Food Bank: Collecting ready-to-eat meals and water for hurricane victims but says money is needed most. For more information call 214-330-1396.

Red Cross: The Dallas area chapter also is seeking donations to help hurricane victims at 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the Dallas Area Chapter, 4800 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75235.

Resource One Credit Union is accepting donations at all nine of their Texas branches. All donations should be cash or check made out to The American Red Cross. All of these funds will be delivered to the local Red Cross offices weekly. Branch locations can be found on Resource One's Web site , which also includes a direct link for people wishing to donate directly to the Red Cross.

Salvation Army: Donations of money, industrial-sized cans of vegetables, diapers, hand sanitizers, personal toiletries, flashlights, socks, insect repellent, baby formula, work gloves and plastic gloves to help hurricane victims can be delivered to 9216 Harry Hines Blvd. in Dallas. For more information, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

United Methodist churches: Collecting donations via offering plates, online or by telephone. The United Methodist Committee on Relief also needs flood buckets filled with cleaning supplies that people can use to clean their homes after floods and hurricanes. For information, call 1-800-554-8583.

WFAA-TV and The Dallas Morning News: Community relief fund with Chase and Bank One to benefit victims in all affected states through the American Red Cross. Donations can be made at Chase or Bank One locations in Texas. Checks should be made payable to the "Spirit of Texas Hurricane Relief Fund," with Hurricane Katrina Relief 2005 in the memo line.

The YWCA of Metropolitan Dallas is providing child-care scholarships for 90 days. The only requirement for admission is that children be age 12 or younger. The YWCA has five locations throughout the area. For more information, call 214-584-2315.