Keepin' it brief...there are local things you can do, here in Atlanta, to help the storm victims. We know the Red Cross and Salvation Army are involved, but here are a few others...
There are families, currently staying at local hotels, in need of food, clothes, water, etc... a few not a few, a few busloads at:
Comfort Inn at Six Flags (GA731)
4330 Fulton Ind. Blvd. , Atlanta, GA, US, 30336
Phone: (404) 505-8880 Fax: (404) 505-9660 ask for Jod... tell her Ali sent you
I'm heading out that way this evening...
UPDATE: as of 9/2/05 AM, these are the items that are needed
~ LARGE BOXES
~ Underwear, for men, women (particularly bra's, all sizes) and children
~ Socks for men, women and children
~ Bookbags
~ School Supplies
~ Children's cold medicine (particularly for children under age 6)
~ Headache Medicine - all ages
~ Alcohol (OTC, not to drink)
~ Peroxide
~ Baby Wipes
~ Baby Formula
~ Towels
~ Laundry detergent
~ Women's Plus Size clothing (particularly sizes 3X-4X)
YOUR LOCAL: apartment complexes & landlords - I checked with mine to see if I can house a family, and I can't (lease restrictions) but my complex is making their empty apartments available to any family of evacuees who needs shelter. They're doing it on a first-come basis, but I'm sure they're not the only one. They already have a short waiting list, but check your local complexes (and if you know of a family looking for shelter, I can provide a referral to get put on the list).
V103 is accepting donation to help put up additional families here locally in Atlanta.
The V103 DJ's will be at The Galleria @ South Dekalb Mall all day today 9/1/2005 until this evening, accepting donations.
They haven't posted the information on their site, but hopefully they'll update it later. You can go to:
http://www.wvee.com later for more information, or just meet them at the mall.
I'll post more information as I come across it.
Just want to put this out there....we know that some of the victims that have been impacted don't have a voice, news coverage, or access to resources...Let's give them at least a voice, ya'll heard?
ETA:: I've been unable to turn off the news reports, and I hate to sound redundant, but it's horrifying. I simply don't understand why, if the media can get in to show people suffering and "looting", if Harry Connick Jr. can get in and talk to people, and try to give them a voice and highlight what's going on there, why can't they take in food, water & medicine? Why can't they get the people out?
I'm also sickened by the absolute callousness and lack of compassion by the critics who have been suggesting that the people stranded should have left before the storm hit, and implying that since they refused to leave, they're getting what they deserved. These people are so far below the poverty line, they have no cars, rely on public transportation, and the money to "get a bus ticket out of New Orleans" was probably more than they could afford. These are people, human beings, not just "looters" and "thugs" and "rapists" and "gangsters". They're people, that are suffering. Hindsight is a mutha, but not enough to throw stones at people who are already dying. I love this country, but .... < sigh > this pisses me the f&*% off. Where are the critics' alleged compassion and values now?
ETA:: Oops Xquizzyt, I deleted your comment! I really didn't mean to, but I had to repost. Sorry!
For me this is showing me what our officials are truly about. I agree, if celebs can get in there to chat about what they see, bring in the food and water too!