Hurricane Katrina: How You Can Help

You all are a generous bunch.  The Deep South thanks you!   The need here is great, so I don't think you could possibly give too much, at least for the next month.   

We are in an excellent area as far as being able to distribute items.  I have already contacted several churches, several homeschool groups and a private school about distributing items.  We are able to get items into the hands of refugees spanning from the Florida Panhandle, along the entire Alabama Gulf Coast, and into Mississippi.  My husband cannot return to his job since the building was flooded by the hurricane, so he and I both are available to coordinate the distribution of donations.
 
Since many of you have asked...At this point, we would not be able to receive a semi truck since items are being delivered to our home.  We prefer that you send boxes via any mailing system.  With a semi, we would have a storage problem until we could distribute items, which would take days in that case.  With boxes, we can daily get them into the hands of volunteers. 
 
If you send money to my little grass roots organization (I call it Pocket Change for Katrina), it will go 100% to the victims of the hurricane.  We aren't even pulling out gas money, unless someone has specified that.  I started this Pocket Change for Katrina because there are financial needs that are not addresed by the charities, and because when I give, I like to know that 100% goes to the victims, not into someone's padded salary.  With your money, we are paying for several things:  
 
*   Gas money for evacuees to travel to distant relatives, as we see the need (this is a great need, as most lost jobs and/or paychecks are not being distributed).

*   Tire care, Fix A Flat, and gas for stranded motorists in the hurricane-affected areas (we had 5 flat tires in just one week after Hurricane Ivan last year, and were stranded 50 miles from home at one point, so we know this need intimately)

*  Fast food/grocery food for evacuees as they travel, as we see the need

*  Adopting families (as many as we have the money for) at local shelters and giving them $50 WalMart shopping cards and $20-30 gas cards, so they can get a head start (at this point, the Red Cross is focusing only on shelter, food and water, of course, so this is a great need)

To send money, click on the Donate button above.  You may also send a check to our address, below. 
 
The  donated items we need are based on our personal experience during other hurricanes.  Right now, the evacuees and refugees are receiving only shelter, food and water from organizations.  Here is what is needed:
 
* Bibles:  I'm certain that few of the refugees left with a Bible in their hands, and they certainly won't get any from FEMA!  :)  
 
* toiletry items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant, combs, brushes, scrunchies, makeup, etc.
 
* baby items:  lotion, baby bath, baby shampoo, formula, diapers, wet wipes, etc.
 
* cleaning items:  whatever is shippable like wipes and some cleaners
 
* non-perishable foods:  They are provided water and meals-ready-to-eat, but these people are not given some of the "comfort foods" that we Americans love so much, like crackers and cookies, dried fruit, small cereal boxes, chips and hard candy.
 
* children's toys:  The children are bored in the shelters.  They had to leave favorite toys at home.  They could use stuffed animals, small toys, games, coloring books, etc. 
 
* clothing:  All types of gently-used or new clothing are needed
 
Address information:
 
Tim and Lori Seaborg
18930 Highland Drive
Fairhope, AL 36532
  
Thank you for being willing to help!  We feel so blessed to be in a location where we are able to hand the money and items out to those who need it most. 
 
Lori Seaborg
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/KeepingtheHome

2:04 PM - Sep. 3, 2005 - post comment

Toys and books on the way

We are a homeschooling family from Ontario, Canada. We recently closed down our toy/ book store, and still have some stock. We will be shipping several small boxes for you to distribut as you see the need. We only wish we could do more.

Anonymous - 7:19 PM - Sep. 3, 2005

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Couple of questions...

Have you by any chance contacted the Gideons for Bibles?

And is UPS able to make deliveries to your house?

PatriciaWHunter - 8:07 PM - Sep. 3, 2005

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Untitled Comment

I've mentioned this at
http://allthings2all.blogspot.com/2005/09/katrina-many-waters-cannot-quench-love_04.html
Allthings2all

Anonymous - 10:29 PM - Sep. 4, 2005

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Christmas

I know that Christmas is far away yet right around the corner. Our children's department has done Operation Christmas child through Samaritan's First. They contacted them about doing something for the hurricane victims. Samaritian's First is not doing any for the hurricane victims like that. BUT the ladies in charge are interested in doing something like that for the hurricane victims. DO you know of anything like that where the children up here can send Christmas presents to the victims, particularly the children?

cnbn3 - 9:05 AM - Sep. 8, 2005

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helping babies

I am here in orlando florida, and feel helpless. I am a volunteer grief counselor and artist and am DYING to help the children in anyway. I want to come to that area and adopt or help in anyway with the children. Please contact me if you know where my help is needed.

deborahmturner@aol.com

Anonymous - 6:13 PM - Sep. 9, 2005

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in need of help for christmas ( hurricane katrina families)

we are three families ( three sisters) with husbands and children . as so many others we have lost everything in the hurricane and have relocated to jacksonville , fl . we are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living here is so much higher than mississippi. we are trying to find out if anyone knows anywhere we can go to get help with christams ( so are children have a christmas) . please help point us in the right direction . i have 16 boy , 14 boy , 6 girl , 5mth girl and my husband . one sister has 2 yr old boy and husband , other sister has 12 yr old girl and husband . please contact me at jaxslittles@comcast.net
thank you and god bless you
michelle

Anonymous - 6:02 PM - Nov. 17, 2005

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