Finding and Giving Hurricane Katrina Relief in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas

[jerawo]

DH and I are in Nashville, and we have an extra bedroom with a bed and a futon. I know that yesterday people were driving as far north as Memphis, and probably further so we wanted to share our house if anyone is interested.

[alegna]

I'm in Houston and also could possibly make space for an MDC family.

-Angela

[mrzmeg]

We have an extra bedroom as well; we are in Little Rock. Our apartment is small, though, so best for a smaller family. But we would be happy to help an AP family displaced by this storm.

Please email melanie_reyse @ yahoo.com

[Little Bear's Mama]

Here are some great links/info re: baby wearing(and injured adult wearing) and breastfeeding in an emergency situation. If you have media contacts or you or someone you know will be working with the victims of Katrina, please pass this information on. It may prove invaluable.

Baby wearing
http://www.mamatoto.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1

Breastfeeding
http://www.lalecheleague.org/emergency.html
http://www.lalecheleague.org/Release/emergency.html (press release)
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBNovDec01p204.html
http://www.ibfan.org/english/activities/emergencies/ife01.html
http://www.ibfan.org/english/activities/emergencies/ife02.html

[mammamoon]

We have two bedrooms available in lafayette la and we are dessperate to help in some way. We are prepared to offer some peace and comfort for any family in need. We will provide three vegetarian meals a day and lots of healing activities for any little ones who may not be understanding this whole thing.
Please email us at bluskysolar@yahoo.com

Blessings to all,
Andrea

[mammamoon]

My heart is with all those who are amidst the devastation of the storm. I am truly at a loss for words. New Orleans used to be my home as a yound child so it is very dear to me. In fact I do have family still stranded there waiting to get rescued, and family that lost everything ,lost friends in Waveland,MS. So many memories of that city, I just can't even fathom the reality of being in it. So it is really driving me crazy sitting here listening to the radio and not being able to do anything. They are turning away volenteers b/c there are so many, which is a great thing. What can I do?
I've already posted on another thread that our house is open if any one needs a place to live temporarily, but if there are any refugees that just need some nurturing and support where thier children can be with other ap children PLEASE email me. I am here and ready to listen and do what is needed to assist in the healing process. My heart and my home is open.
please email me at bluskysolar@yahoo.com We are located in Lafayette La
much love,
andrea

[darkstar]

As I sit here in Chicago I remember hurricanes from when I was a child in FLorida. If anyone needs a place in Chicago which I know is far but its shelter somewhere:) its small but I am more than willing to help a mdc mama and her family.

:rainbow
darkstar

[Jacque Savageau]

I just had to reply to this thread because it made me cry. What amazingly generous and giving mamma's you are!

I'm in MI and unfortunately, don't have any room. But I'm giving as much as I. Even my kids donated their allowance to Red Cross. I'm searcing for something I can do from here to help.

Again, what loving and giving women you are - you give me hope :hug

[RachelGS]

I have baby girl clothes that I can send to families who need them. Do any of our MDC families or friends of MDC families need help in that way?

[Amys1st]

I just saw on the news a bunch of displaced hurricane victims in Chicago landing at ohare. Some looking for a connctn to some where else. Others looking for shelter.

Please pm me so we can offer hot meals, clothing for any girl 4T and under, adult clothes whatever. This so saddens me because any one of us could be these people.

[mommy2girlies]

ladies, you guys are awesome!! :clap im here in jackson ms and it swells my heart to hear of your generosity!! :love its really bad...my mom's in hattiesburg and my dh's family in picayune, ms which is only 15mi north of slidell, la. everyone is safe, but they say it looks like a bomb has been dropped on mississippi and new orleans is drowning.....thank you so much for opening up your hearts and homes....stories like these make this situation a little easier to bear :grouphug

kelly

[Mama2Bug]

I have some baby girl clothes too, that I would love to send to a mama who needs them.

[edamommy]

me too. warm weather clothes for 12-18months... boy (some gn). Anyone have any idea where we might send stuff for the hurricane survivors?

[jennay]

I have some toddler and baby boy clothes I can send too.

[abbeysmum05]

I have some formula that I received but do not use. I know this could really help someone right now - any one know where I can send it? Heck I'll even send it along with some water...!

[serenetabbie]

If for some reason anyone is in NE PA, I can provide one room for a small, kind family. It's not much, but there is a futon and we are pet friendly. I may even be able to arrange transportation from a bus stop/train station/airport if everyone fits in my small car. We are pretty far from anything, so getting around will be hard w/o a car, but I am willing to share what I have. God be with all of you.

serenetabbie@frontiernet.net

[solstar]

dd has offered her room. We are in Little Rock, AR nice neighborhood, big kid friendly yard. Bed is full, a little small but good for a single parent. Also have a bunk bed and dds only take up one bed so could sleep another kid.
PM me or email solta@hotmail.com

[serenetabbie]

I wanted to say also, I would be willing to foster anyones pet from the affected areas, long term or short term, until they can find a place where they can all be together. I can offer a big unfenced yard, help with transporting the pet, access to vet care, grooming, food and lots of love. The pet must be house trained and child/pet friendly. Please, if anyone needs help in this area, PM or email me.

[JoyAnne]

I can help a small family with our two extra small bedrooms in Delray Beach in se florida- nice quiet neighborhood in town, normalish house with a yard. Outside dogs okay. PM me if you know someone.

[mama2silas]

My husband and I would be happy to house a small family displaced by Katrina. We are in the St. Louis area and have a guest room 2 beds, and our almost 3 year old son has a trundle in his room. I'm afraid we couldn't house pets or smokers.

You can email at lewandtiffany@charter.net

[ex-stasis]

I've got baby girl clothes (0-1 year), mama clothes (size 10ish), blankets, toiletries. I would be happy to send these to someone in need. PM me!

[mrzmeg]

Please check out the sticky in the Katrina forum for a list of MDC'ers opening their homes:
http://69.20.14.30/discussions/showthread.php?p=3709512#post3709512

I will add the generous offers in this thread to the sticky as well :)

[soccerchic21]

I just PMd the sticky. I wanted to add here though. We are probably the farthest offer but I just have to still put it out there.

We are in Seattle, WA and we don't have really any room in our home to support another family but we do have a large backyard. So if anyone is stuck in their RV and doesn't want to pay a park fee they can park their RV here free and stay in it. WE have a SMALL spare room with a toddler bed if someone had small children.

[qsmama]

Kelly,

I am trying to find out some info for a friend about her family in Picayune. do you know the condition of the city and if their were any deaths. She has not heard from her sister yet!

Jill

Please email to sparklefishq@yahoo.com directly to me, thanks!

[ShannonCC]

Edited to say the address is where you ship things.

Info for physical donations (as opposed to money). This was posted in response to questions.

Raynore Jones
c/o LTC-Huey P. Long Campus
304 South Jones Street
Winnfield, LA 71483

If anyone would like to ship things like that I have a friend who is working with some shelters. Her husband is the assistant chief of police and as such is in direct contact with the shelters there.

They are in need of toiletries, shampoos & conditioner , plastic cutlery, and of course, clothes, et cetera, including school supplies, curriculum...Most everyone has the clothes on their back and not much more.

She can also use coupons for meat, cereal, as she has been going to Walmart and stocking up the shelter herself.

They can use anything anyone can think to mail... sample soaps are great, and cheap to send.. anything will be used.

Yes, please do post it to that group!.. you can add my email address for questions.. Jenni@billingstudio.com or you can forward things to me that you get.. Raye's email is raynore_jones@yahoo.com but they are predicting a break in internet connection...

As for toys, I think you are right.. they would be welcomed.. they have many children in the shelter, and I am sure distractions would be good! Ssame goes for curriculum, as well as pencils, notebooks, et cetera.

(I asked about used but thoroughly washed undergarments.) The socks would definitely be fine, as are shoes, shirts, shorts, sweats... Raye wasn't sure all would want the underwear.. as some people are peculiar about that.. but if you have room in the box, it wouldn't hurt to send it. I know if my son had nothing but the one pair he was wearing, I would not mind second hand briefs.

Jenni

[ShannonCC]

Sorry, I wasn't clear. The address at the top of the post is where to ship things.

[nursing2mom]

For those who saw the earlier post re: a donation request of items for the LLL Safe House, here is the updated mailing address (as of 9/20):

The request:
Laura Wright, a LLL Leader in Mississippi, has a spare 5000 square foot shop space that has been set up as a safe house. They are in need of "ANYTHING THAT A HOUSEHOLD OF SMALL CHILDREN WOULD NEED OR COULD USE. Clothes, snack food, diapers, kitchen stuff, bedding, camping supplies, stuff to keep the children busy. You get the idea...ANYTHING. Laura's house will be the "LLL Target" for LLL leaders and members can go to start over. She has a crew ready to organize your donations."

*** Here's the new info as of 9/20/05***

"Please help me get the word out: The Mississippi Safe House is FULL. Any future packages should be mailed or shipped to:

Second Helping 4006 Hwy 305 South Hernando, MS 38632

This is an alternate location. My sister and Brother-In-Law are going to
be receiving ALL future packages and helpign us with distribution. If you have shared the addresss earlier, please send this information
also.

The Storage is full, The Post Office is full, and we have to get these
packages diverted as soon as possible.

I never imagined we would be so generously blessed.

Thank you, Thank you,
Laura Wright"

Thanks to all Mothering.com readers who have assisted in filling up the original address!! Your help is fantastic!--Laurel

[JenniferH]

-I'm sponsoring a family that has a 6 week old baby girl. I'm sure she will need items as she grows.
-Another family has a 6 year old girl who needs clothes, shoes and school supplies
-Family M has 4 year old boy, 9 year old girl and 11 year old girl who need some clothes, shoes and socks.
-Family D has 11 year old girl, and 7 year old boy who need clothes and school supplies


PM me if you want my address and info and sizes.

Thank you! :heartbeat

[jessemoon]

My husband, two sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law my father-in-law and two others are headed out today to help out in Biloxi, Mississippi. They will be driving slow, as my husband is taking his crane.

They have a contact in Biloxi who is a pediatrician and they are going to set up at a Buddhist temple and help with debris clean-up and temporary repairs to houses and to a hospital.

They are carrying with them three trailer-loads of donations from our small town in Oregon. We have collected thousands of pounds of food, toiletries, medical supplies, diapers, formula, pet food etc. Our community has been so generous. They are carrying donated tools, generators, a 40ft. dome to be their headquarters and all of our good wishes.

I will miss dh terribly (it is a long way to Mississippi) and ds (20 months) and I won't see him for at least a month.If the MDC mamas could keep them in their thoughts, that would be great.

If anyone is from the Biloxi area and wants to help out, pm me and I can put you in touch.

[Bestbirths]

The purpose of this thread is to post information, offers and suggestions to help those who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina in your local and surrounding community. We want to get as much information gathered as possible so that moms in your area can access the following information:

1. Who needs help in your area
2. Where they can donate goods locally
3. Local organizations that are organizing relief efforts
4. Ideas and ways of getting involved and where volunteers are needed
5. Shelters for Hurricane Katrina in your area
6. Post if you are willing to help in your area

[Bestbirths]

here is a link of the list of moms from MDC believed to be effected by hurricane Katrina.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=337607

[chantald]

Do you know if they still need items? We have a large number of clean children's clothes in various sizes, clean toys etc that we wanted to send.. But I wanted to make sure they were still needed/wanted

thanks

Chantal

[CKinAK]

Here's the LLL of Jackson website- you might want to call or email and see what they are still in need of :thumb
www.llljackson.org

ETA: click on the 'telephone help' link to get a list of leaders' emails and phone numbers :)

[JenniferH]

I have heard from four schools on the MS Coast that are in need of basic school supplies and some paperbacks for the language arts classes.

-One school needs 24 American Heritage Dictionaries that will cost approximately $1000 including shipping.
-All the schools need basics such as pencils, notebooks, paper, calculators, backpacks, etc.
-Another school needs several different paperbacks as well as curriculum materials (specifically blackline master books? Not familiar with this maybe you are?)

I am holding a cash drive to purchase supplies and getting together a specific list of books on my site. I'll have to do this tomorrow because it's late, but here's the page: http://www.womensdiscussionforums.com/katrina.shtml

Whatever I get or purchase will be sent to the schools who need it. Most likely I'll meet them in Jackson to hand over the supplies.

If you could get the word out, I would most appreciate it. Students in the affected Mississippi counties will be back in school October 3 (they hope).

Thank you!

[JenniferH]

If you know of anyone is with a group who would like to sponsor a school on the coast for school supplies, I have a list of several and will be glad to pass on the info. I don't want to post it here, because some of the info is personal info.


They have just recently started back to school and will need a lot of supplies and books.

Thanks.