katrina

[Jeff Jilg]

While this is certainly off-topic, it is something we are all thinking about these days. There are a lot of people right now in the Louisiana area who aren't even thinking about woodturning. Lately I have felt fortunate to just have basic stuff - running water, electricity, cold water and cold sodas, a place to work, etc. One of our board members (Ron Alexander) lives very near to New Orleans. We hope he and his family are doing well.

In Austin, the city and several large companies have established temporary housing in two Austin convention centers. They have provided drop off points for clothing and bedding. Today we took a truckload and a carload of donations from neighbors and our own stuff to one of the drop off points. There was a line of cars for over a half mile waiting to drop off donations. It was well worth the wait.

We are fortunate that we were able to contribute so directly since some of the evacuees are housed locally. We hope the rescue efforts continue to make progress. We hope that people will get good food, shelter, and government support to get over this disaster and rebuild their lives. We hope that people get reunited with their families and their beloved pets.

 

[Vince Welch]

I second those thoughts!!!

 

[Matt Meadows]

I have family in Laurel, MS that I cannot get ahold of. I call every day and only get "technical problem" messages. If anyone knows how Laurel MS faired, I'd love to know.

I live in Charleston SC and remember Hugo very, very vividly. And Katrina was much more violent. If I get the chance, I'm grabbing the chainsaw and shop tools and heading to MS to do some repair/cleanup. And for once "free wood" is the last thing I'm using the chainsaw for.

 

[dkulze]

Thank you for your generosity, Jeff.

My wife and I live in Boston so were unable to donate goods, but we did make a contribution to the Red Cross. Your more personal and direct generosity in goods and time is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dietrich

 

[Phil Brennion]

The Katrina disaster has hit the entire nation big time-
Closer to home we still have not heard from boardmember Ron Alexander who lives on the north side of the lake in a devastated area.-Our prayers are with all the victims. The AAW is organizing an aid effort - please stay tuned to the home page.

 

[Jeff Jilg]

The homepage has been updated with Phil's message.

Also we have confirmed that Ron Alexander (AAW board member) and his family are safe in a hotel in Jackson, Mississippi.

 

[Anthony Yakonick]

Donate money, I learned years ago helping the Red Cross how they work.
From RedCross.org

The Red Cross is unable to accept small, individual donations or collections of items such as clothing, food or cleaning supplies. The cost to sort, package and distribute these types of donations to a disaster victims is almost always greater than the cost of purchasing the items locally, and it is logistically impossible to distribute a wide variety of individual items in a meaningful way. Because of these cost and logistical concerns, we recommend that you support your community by donating these items to an organization that is equipped to put them to the best possible local use.

Offers of sizeable, bulk donations are reviewed to determine if they meet a current need for disaster victims that can be addressed by the Red Cross. Bulk donations are typically new, shrink-wrapped and palletized items, and they are transported by the donor.

If you would like to discuss this type of donation, please contact your local Red Cross Chapter.

When they buy local it helps the local economys, there are many towns in the New Orleans suburbs that count on N.O for jobs. The insurance companys will be setting up shop in these towns renting all available space and the relief agencys will soon be buying localy thus helping the economys.
Anthony