KATRINA'S HOPE

I've been volunteering at the disaster relief check in center here, helping Gulf Coast evacuees fill out FEMA paperwork. And the thing I'm hearing most often is that they just want to move out of the shelters into their own places. They need their privacy and aloneness to heal, regroup, and move forward.

Apt managers and realty companies are offering these folks apts and homes this month for free with only $100 deposit, which other groups are helping to pay. Utility companies are waiving their deposits, so these people can move right in. Many have no money at all and must wait on the govt to provide for them. They can "shop" for free thru the Red Cross "general store". But there are still some things they can't get.

We've formed a group in our town to raise funds and collect donations of items that these folks will need as they move into apts. We are going to buy laundry baskets and fill each basket with towels, cleaning supplies, toilet paper, paper towels, paper plates, shower curtains, picture frames, etc. I can get in touch with the landlords and deliver the baskets before the tenants move in, so they'll never see me. They'll just get a basket of necessities from "Katrina's Hope". We can even get with the landlords and find out what kind of family will be moving in--a single mom with kids, pets, a married couple, an elderly couple, etc. Then we can tailor each basket to suit the family.

I remember when I moved out on my own 23 years ago, my older sister brought me a laundry basket full of household goodies. Every item in the basket was necessary and greatly appreciated.

I know some of you are leary of just handing money over to the Red Cross or other groups. And some of you, like me, want to know that you are making a difference in at least one life. So I thought you might want to organize a group like this. You could even use Katrina's Hope as your name if you'd like. We could have Katrina's Hope making visits all over the country in the spirit of Santa. We'd remain anonymous and help out wherever needed. We could even continue it with future disasters, like if someone's help burns down. We could just lend anonymous help anywhere we can.

Dave and Terry, I hope it's ok that I posted this here. I didn't know where else to post it to have the most visibility.

If anyone is interested in more information or would like to discuss possibilities for the group, just let me know.

NancyAnn

NancyAnn, this was s good place to post it.

I recommend you copy it and post in The Hurricane Katrina Forum, too.

That's beautiful, Nancy Ann!!! :-)

That is great and beautiful and was a good place to post it and hope everything goes well for them to have happy and rest and peace thier own place. That will be nice for them.

How wonderful! Have you thought about a packet of fall blooming flowers in their basket? Or fall bulbs that bloom in spring? seeing somethings "bloom adn grow" is so healing!

I will print out your Katrina's Hope info. I am certain folks will be moving here soon, and I know some apt managers who could help.

I am posting to let you know that Nancy is in the hospital with kidney stones. She has been battling them for over a year, passing the smaller ones (OUCH!) but has 3 in one kidney that are too large for passing or laser treatment and have now inflamed the kidney to the point of blockage and caused infection. She's had a "stint" placed and is on I.V. antibiotics pending surgical removal. Please keep her in your thoughts....
Gail

Thanks for letting us know, praying for relief, OUCH!!!

Praying for Nancy. I have heard that kidney stones are painful with capital pain.

Hugs for ya Nancy,
Lani