Is there any way to get a DU "caravan" down to LA??

[DancingBear]

I don't even know how, or where, or even if we could get there.

I just know I want to help in some way in addition to monetary.

If someone has any idea how to go about this, or has contact info, etc. please add it to this thread.

And keep it kicked - please.

[LSK]

1. bad idea

You would just get in the way and use up a potential bed or food that a homeless person would need.

Send money right now. Thats all we can do.

[Modem Butterfly]

2. Stay out of the Gulf, PLEASE

It is extremely dangerous and extremely chaotic down there right now. Stay out until the situation stabilizes a little. The last thing anyone needs is more injured/trapped/drowning people.

[bpilgrim]

3. the state police have been instructed to turn EVERYONE away

even if you live there :cry:

peace

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. that's dumb

last thing these people need right now is a DU caravan.

[ohio_liberal]

5. We can't go in there

Not New Orleans or the surrounding area. They're telling people to stay out. Money and prayer, or positive thoughts if you are so inclined, are about the only things we can do at this point.

[bear425]

6. I believe that extra people would be more of a burden at this point.

Money and blood are the best ways to help right now. Later they will need our physical help.

[Beelzebud]

7. As others have said. Bad idea.

You only be adding to the problem at this point. Let the professional disaster workers handle this.

If they call for volunteers, thats another story. But rigth now, I would suggest just staying away.

[jsamuel]

10. The Red Cross is calling for volunteers

[LSK]

14. but please contact the Red Cross before you go down there

The last thing they need are people randomly showing up. Let the Red Cross tell you what you can do. Please dont go down there on your own.

[Beelzebud]

16. The Red Cross ALWAYS wants volunteers. I was referrng to state officals.

I was referring to state officials requesting volunteers.

[MissB]

8. Donate to the Red Cross instead.

Let the experts handle this. Give money if you can.

[SoCalDem]

9. The LAST thing they need is more bodies to be fed, sheltered

and in the way.. What they could use perhaps is offers of shelter for the people who need to get out..

Maybe contacting ministers of churches might get names of people who need sheltering for a while..of course phone service is sketchy.. maybe call a radio station there and maybe they can get the word out:shrug:

please don;t go there.. Martial law was declared anyway and a spokesperson said tha even people who lived there and evacuated were not going to be let back in for a month or more.

[Carni]

20. A MONTH OR MORE?? For real?

I have been at work all day I am shocked to tune in here to find that the situtaion has become this dire! :(

Are they talking like all three states?

[SoCalDem]

21. New orleans was the place they were talking about, but

it wouldn;t surprise me..

What would they be going back TO??

closed stores
no electricity
tainted food
toxic water
dead animals
chemical-laden sludge everywhere
a knocked down house
no place open to buy repair materials
no job due to so many slosed destroyed businesses

[Carni]

23. I just watched footage of gulfport (Mississippi? Or LA?)

I have never seen anything so horrendous (other than the Tsunami damage) in my life. I had no idea the kind of force a category 4 storm can wield. The way the media was *reporting* yesterday everything sounded somewhat positive like a bullet had been dodged.
I would certainly say that was a very GROSS EXAGERATION!
My God these pictures are horrific. :(

[madeline_con]

11. I will differ from some posters ...

and say you might be able to volunteer. The Red Cross, etc. will need humans to do massive amounts of work. Contact them.

[The empressof all]

12. If you want to help Please contact your local relief agency

The Red Cross is one example of an agency best equipped to handle both the logistical and hands on help when it's safe to go their. You can aid your local chapter by giving blood, and checking to see if they are setting up to receive donations of blankets, and clothing. Then, Coordinate locally with your friends to get care boxes filled and ready to send.

[Vincardog]

13. I know they do not need another mouth to feed

:toast:

[LSK]

15. im sure the Red Cross has trucks in Dallas that can take stuff

Contact them.

[Inland]

17. Send CASH to AmRedCross and STAY AWAY

You'd just be one more person, and they need all the space they have.

If you want to help, send MONEY to the Red Cross or other legitimate disaster relief agency.

[tavalon]

18. Not yet

Don't go. We have to stay away right now.

Repost this in about a week, maybe two, okay?

[DancingBear]

19. Thanks for the info

I'll just send some $$ down there, and stay here in VA.

if the situation changes, and volunteers are needed to help with clean-up, etc., then we can go from there.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

22. Right now, they're just rescuing people

Whenever the waters recede, they'll need clean-up volunteers, but if you volunteer, please do so through an organization that is experienced in disaster relief.

I was at Cornell University when floods struck Elmira, NY in 1973.

A bunch of us students went there to volunteer with the cleanup one weekend, and we were directed to report to a school where the Mennonites (who have a long tradition of disaster relief) had set up headquarters. Some of the students were sent out to shovel debris, while others (including me) stayed at the headquarters to pack food baskets, answer phones, sort donated clothes, etc.