katrina

lady lamp
Originally uploaded by faster panda kill kill.

such a pretty name. but now only reminds us of horrible things and difficult times for so many people. everything about the past 4 days has seemed just wrong. looked wrong. felt wrong. i really hope today marks the day of a real turnaround...and conditions improve for those left in new orleans. we've been to new orleans several times - took our honeymoon there too. i loved that city. all the history there and the uniqueness of it with the cajun and french roots. the cemeteries (which i guess are floating now) were beautiful - anyway....we were at the convention center there a couple years ago for the SIGGRAPH conference. just seems so unreal to see it now and how far and desperate the situation is.

oh and yeehaw. cowboy bush rides in to save the day. super.
ugh. disgusting.

so how to help. lots and lots of ways. something i would like to do, is some kind of effort with a art store or similar to provide crayons, drawing paper, coloring books, activity books, pencils, journals/blank books for the kids or anyone who would benefit from letting out or expressing their emotions with drawing or writing. books too. and board games.

some ways to help:

• craigslist - help for katrina survivors


• Bicycle Sport Shop - accepting bicycles, helmets, accessories


• Toney Burger Center - Katrina families being housed here. Email txfederation@austin.rr.com for what they need. If you can foster a pet from these families, put "Pet Friendly Volunteer" in the subject line.


• Goodwill locations are accepting donations of clothing and food specifically for the hurricane victims. At any Goodwill dropoff location.


• Do you have room to house folks? post up here.


• Help with a 2-1-1 phone bank over the holiday weekend. 8 hr shifts at the braker center office location of State of Texas Health & Human Services Commission. email: volunteer211@hhsc.state.tx.us


• Red Cross Disaster Response Warehouse in Austin. Help prepare relief kits. 3-4hr long shifts. Call Leo at 404-242-6544.


• Do you have 2 weeks? Red Cross will deploy you in the field with Red Cross teams. Contact the local chapter in Austin, at 512-929-1295 or email: wbrennessel@centex.redcross.org


• UT is offering support and has opportunities to help.


• Red Cross Family Links Registry. Find info about missing family, friends.


• Red Cross Donations


• Make a donation through iTunes. you can open up iTunes and go to the Store to contribute to the Red Cross.


• Petsmart - donate to help pet victims
• the Survival of New Orleans blog this guy and some other folks have been holed up in their office building and have been broadcasting via blog and pictures what is going on in the streets. it's pretty amazing....

i'm sure there is more information and opportunities. it's looking like people are donating and finding creative ways to help. that's a good thing.