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Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Thread

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:lol A tip for those doing the Red Cross donation: Include spaces in your credit card number.

Since most website automatically delete the spaces, this one time, I didn't use spaces...and they said that my credit card was declined.

I was like, "WTF?"...checking my status online at my bank and shit.

Then I tried it with spaces and it worked.
 
Honestly, I hate to sound like a dick, but: I'd recommend against getting some GBA and games together. Those require batteries (for the old kind) or electricity (for SP), and honestly, those are in really short supply right now, and can be used for radios and other life necessities.

Best thing is anything kids can play with that doesn't require either of those. Even just some stuffed animals for the wee ones to hug. :(
 
Dragona Akehi said:
Honestly, I hate to sound like a dick, but: I'd recommend against getting some GBA and games together. Those require batteries (for the old kind) or electricity (for SP), and honestly, those are in really short supply right now, and can be used for radios and other life necessities.

Best thing is anything kids can play with that doesn't require either of those. Even just some stuffed animals for the wee ones to hug. :(
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Nothing "dick"ish about that, it makes perfect sense. They'd get to play games for a few hours then the game is dead...and well, yeah.
 
Well, got a company email that states it will match any donations from employees, upwards to $1000 per each employee (normal max matching was $500). I'm pretty sure in the next little while, I'll see if I can get up the funds to get the max match donations. Just wish I could do more.
 
Mig/Dskillz, I am looking to send out my package tomorrow. One of you fucks need to get on either IRC or AIM so I can get your address.

I've realized after picking up all of those canned goods that maybe I should have just donated to a reputable organization. The organization would get food cheaper than I would and it'd be easily taken there and distributed. Live and learn.
 
I have a never-been-played Monopoly boardgame, but I'm kind of torn as to some people would take that the wrong way. :/

Hopefully something will be set up here; I found a brand new Nerf football thing still in the box, too.

Maybe I can get something going at my school. That's an idea.
What about decks of cards? They're cheap, and there's lots of games for kids to play with those. *looks at Las Vegas*
 
UNO! Best idea ever, thanks, Scarlet.

uno.jpg
 
As much as I hate to suggest, but would a "buy a tag by donating" go over?

I have about $80 in my name until my next paycheck, but I'm gonna give my mom $20 to donate via CC..would that matching one be good (or is it that they only match from $50 and higher), or Red Cross, or somewhere else be better?
 
so the red cross might ship me off as soon as tuesday.

if any of you guys have the type of job where you can take time off, or are just sitting around not doing much, you guys gotta hit up the red cross, and get out there. the people need all the help they can get.

everyone that can, should.
 
Seeing all of you GAFfers donate so much, and especially seeing people like Johnny actually volunteering to go out there... damn. Good job, guys. I'm glad I'm part of this community. You all completely rock.
 
guys I'm here in houston and I've seen such incredible sadness. we're just sending out the first atlanta bound group...several families whose entire lives don't even fill a single carry on bag. we are facing a humanitarian crisis within our own borders.
 
Since Paypal has a thing set up, can anyone help me with exactly how to transfer funds into my account so I can donate? I've had a paypal for awhile, but have no idea how to actually transfer money in.
 
ManDudeChild said:
Since Paypal has a thing set up, can anyone help me with exactly how to transfer funds into my account so I can donate? I've had a paypal for awhile, but have no idea how to actually transfer money in.
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You need to add your bank account and confirm it(which takes a few days), and then transfer money from your bank account to your paypal account(which also takes a few days).
 
people, volunteer if you can. take time off of work even, you should still be able to make rent.

Red Cross will give you...

$340 allowence for every 10 days you're there.
$150 to get supplies (sleeping bag, boots, flash light, etc).
Shelter and food

they need all the help they can get, and they'll give you a round trip plane ticket. looks like im heading out on wednesday.

if you can, please do so. the red cross is making this very easy, all you have to do is go.
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Can anyone verify this? If so, I could volunteer.
 
people, volunteer if you can. take time off of work even, you should still be able to make rent.

Red Cross will give you...

$340 allowence for every 10 days you're there.
$150 to get supplies (sleeping bag, boots, flash light, etc).
Shelter and food

they need all the help they can get, and they'll give you a round trip plane ticket. looks like im heading out on wednesday.

if you can, please do so. the red cross is making this very easy, all you have to do is go.
 
The people who are getting out are STILL in desperate deteriorating conditions. When I get network capacity to upload images I will do see. I've been in the Astrodome and if the conditions in the Superdome were significantly worse than THAT, I can easily understand why people were rioting. That people are so grateful to be in the Astrodome says enough....
 
Ok wait a minute, there is tons of countries offering help and money, including Qatar offering 100 millions yet...

As of Friday, the White House had not accepted any offers, but Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the State Department was "working very closely with the Department of Homeland Security to match up what is available with what is needed."

There was no immediate word whether the United States would take Qatar up on its offer.
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Wtf is going on? I don't understand this.
 
^^^most likely they dont want to be in debt to some of these countries that are offering money. They probably feel rightly or wrongly if they take the money then some of these countries may want "favors" back later.
 
I called my local Red Cross this morning. Unfortunately, they are not offering any sort of "allowance" for those volunteering to go down to help with relief efforts, though they are providing transportation, food, and shelter. Of course, I have bills to pay here, so that makes it rather difficult for me. Oh well, perhaps it is on a chapter by chapter basis.

If anyone finds a Red Cross that wants to fly in a guy from Kentucky, just let me know.
 
flyer that my friend and i made....

flyer1mo.jpg


* apprently the allowance doesn't apply for every chapter of the red cross.

EDIT: i looked into it more, and apparently the smaller red cross chapters don't do the allowence. but if you call national, and tell them you want to get out there, but need to allowence for whatever reason, they should help you out.
 
I've been in the hospital the last two weeks here in San Antonio, and because of Katrina, an enourmous amount of doctors and nurses from my hospital were sent to New Orleans and back again to aid the displace in the shelters.

I asked my doctors who just came back from New Orleans if it were wise of me to volunteer at any of the shelters, and they all responded with "NO!" So I'm out of luck there. Think I'll just work at the foodbank or donate some money, though.

Funny story Tuesday. My doctor rushes through the door, looks at the TV, and says, "excuse my language, but this is so fucked up! I was called in last night, put on a C-130, sent to New Orleans at midnight, then once we arrive in the city we're told we hvae to head home because they haven't fixed the lights at the airport!"

:lol
 
redcross6rn.jpg


So this is the third day I volunteered at the refugee camp near where I live. The first day I handed out snacks and the second day I handed out and wrote down clothing sizes, but today I had cleaning duty and I helped people sign up for disaster aid through the FEMA website.

There are about 40 refugees there now and most of them seem to be in pretty high spirits, all things considered. Since barely half the cots are full, they moved them all around and set up a basketball goal which seems to be a hit with the 3 guys who are in their early 20s. The older guys go outside, sit in the shade and talk and the women watch television and play with the kids.

Everything is very slow paced and relaxed at this point, but more refugees are expected here by early next week. I've only had a chance to talk to a couple people who were at the Superdome, but the lady who I really spoke with about it said that she had brought food and water with her and that she did alright, all things considered, during her time there.

It's just great to see them doing well and having things to do. It's also nice to see that locals are cooking them 3 meals a day and that there is an endless supply of snacks and water for them to have.

Red Cross has me scheduled for Sunday afternoon, I think. Not sure what I'll be doing then.

:btw They don't know how to use computers. We don't know how lucky we are that computers are such a necessity for us and such a huge luxury for them.
 
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