I know that we are hearing "just send money" on the news. BUT, my girl friend
(Angelia) outside of Jackson MS, says, the big cities are getting the major relief
while the smaller rural communities still need help also. Here are some of
Angelia's
suggestions/comments:
She knows that the Oregon area has been known to send help for other disasters, and
was wondering if anyone up herre had loaded a semi with diapers, water, and
cleaning supplies, AND food (nonrefrigated). She said these basics would be a great
help. There are several large church denominations (she thought the Assembly of
God Jackson, and the Church of Christ Jackson) are making relief centers to help
the smaller communities. The other help that she had heard suggested was to
purchase
long-distance phone cards to be donated to those who did not have the funds to call
family/friends. Also, purchase building supply store (chains that would be across
the country) so that people could use them to help rebuild and repair the damage.
She has been without electricity most of this week. She says they get it in spurts.
Also, phone has been in spurts. She says her area will be fine if the lumberjacks
that we have here in the NW came down with their big trucks and BIG chainsaws to
clear the downed trees. Also, if any of the electrical companies could come help
with stringing lines back up.
As you can see, clean up and helping people get over the hump of the disaster is
what the majority are looking for. Being able to start the road back to their
lives.
I know that you feel, like I do, the enomority of the disaster and the aftermath of
New Orleans, Biloxi, and Mobile. While we cannot do much except send up prayers,
there are others in the outlying areas that we can immediately help. Remember the
hierarchy of needs that we learned back in college. Air, Water, Food, Shelter was
the top. Learning was further down.
Contact your local religious afflilations for how you can help with donations. I
know that the Assembly of God, Church of Christ, Friends, Mennonite denominations
have disaster relief centers. And possibly the Lutheran, Baptist, Nazarene, Baha'i
do
also.
As the Head of FEMA said today, part of the relief that we are currently seeing was
slow to get there because the states are organized with local government and
charities to help first. This just majorly overwhelmed them with a double disaster
in
New Orleans and a hurricane/tornado damage over a wide range of area---all the way
to the East Coast. That is why I am encouraging to contact the local charities in
your area. They can funnel aid to the local charities who know the people and can
help them to rebuild their lives.
Angelia's school is close. But she is anxious to go back to start counting noses
and make sure all of her "little ones" (k class) made it. She believes that it
will be reopened next week, if they have electricity. She is in the process of
contacting (or having friends/family) those who would worry about her and her
roommate.
Just my humble relating.
JaKay Greer
Highly Qualified Teacher/Professional
Teacher-Librarian
Damascus Middle School 503.658.3171
http://damascus.gresham.k12.or.us/
McCarty Middle School 503.665.0148
http://mccarty.gresham.k12.or.us/media_center/mccarty_media_center.htm
Gresham, OR
jakay_greer@gbsd.gresham.k12.or.us
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