Katrina benefit

[Bass Babe]

My sister from New Orleans and her husband and 6 year old have no home and no jobs. They have a hatchback filled with a few posessions. They need to move elsewhere and find new jobs.

Maybe it's just being selfish, but I would rather see donations go directly to our friends and family members. I know that my sister and her family will not be going to a temporary shelter and standing in a line for food. They have a place to stay (her husband's grandfather's house -- with 25 other people), but they need to build an entirely new life. The Red Cross will not help them do this.

Just my $.02, and I'll be in on whatever is decided on.

[Sweetwater]

I think everyone should do whatever they can that is within their means to help the survivors of Katrina. There are a number of charities (especially the Red Cross) that you can make donations too.

I am a Methodist and am donating through our church's organization. You don't have to be a Methodist to donate (of course) so if you want to make sure your donations go to this very cause you can donate to The United Methodist Committee on Relief's (UMCOR).

You can make your donation online at:

http://www.methodistrelief.org/site/...PHIpE&b=876335

The site also tells you what you can do to make "food buckets" for relief (which is something every one can do(.

[mikecc]

I can make a rod .
CS I Think I can find a few Blanks lying around for ya.

[nightfighter]

I can sympathize with BassBabe's point of view. Maybe we get a list of family/friends of S-B and go 50/50 with Red Cross/family. That way we know we have an impact on known families.

[BigFish]

Having just bought a house and with cash flow slow......it is tough.....but those folks need help and I will do what I can. I can whip up a bunch o' plugs for a raffle or what ever you guys think we should do! Maybe I can also find some other collectables I could part with to raise money. JohnR...let me/us know what the deal will be!

[spence]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Having just bought a house and with cash flow slow..

Whaaa, I'm a landowner and I don't have any money, Whaaaa





-spence

[MakoMike]

I'd vote for giving whatever we raise to the salvation army, much more of their donations winds up witht he needy than the red cross. Don't you guys remember that during the tsunami crisis, the red cross had to set up a special fund, because a lot of people wouldn't donate to their general fund because so much of that money is wasted.

[Fisherwoman]

JohnR,we are in, let me know what you need. We can donate a trip or whatever, have a ton of gear also, so yes we are defiantly in no matter which way it gets donated. anyone have any idea how we could also donate clothing to the people down there. I am sure with all of us toghether we could put a tractor trailer full of clothes together, but not sure how to go about it? any idea's

Thanks Jules

[greenmeanie]

I also remember the Red Cross taking money from the donations. I also think Red Cross takes a percentage of the money donated for themselves.
I also heard the salvation army is the better route.

Originally Posted by MakoMike

I'd vote for giving whatever we raise to the salvation army, much more of their donations winds up witht he needy than the red cross. Don't you guys remember that during the tsunami crisis, the red cross had to set up a special fund, because a lot of people wouldn't donate to their general fund because so much of that money is wasted.