Jackson Free Press

This thread orginally started Tuesday, Aug. 30, and has been updated over the last several days. Be sure to read the comments to the bottom to determine the way you can help as the needs change. And please post information here about donations, specific needs and where to take them.

The wonderful Rev. Emma Connelly from St. Andrew's, and other JFP bloggers, keep updating us with lists of needs of local shelters. Click "more" to see/print the whole list and updates posted below it.

1. Here in Jackson: Amid all the devastation within our neighboring New Orleans, and on the Gulf Coast, many evacuees are unable to leave shelters and must remain for a few more days. We know many of you are miserable in our own city as well. The Epis. Diocese of MS received a call for needed supplies for evacuees at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson:

Bottled water
jugs of water
Coloring books, crayons and other simple children's games & activities
-x-large t-shirts
Depends
infant clothes
diapers/wipes

Our city's water in contaminated and therefore the water situation is dire. For those of you who have restored power and are able to read this, please check your homes for some of these items, or if you are able to get to a nearby WalMart these items are all needed desperately. You may either deliver to the Coliseum yourself, bring these items to St. Andrew's, or call me and I can pick them up and deliver to the Coliseum.

2. For Lutheran/Episcopal Disaster Relief efforts on the coast: Supplies Needed for Hurricane Disaster Relief – St. Andrew's is a collection point for the Jackson area. If you have any surplus items on the list below, or can donate any of these items, please deliver to St. Andrew's, or call the Cathedral. These items will be delivered to a central collection point in Hattiesburg:
General:
Chainsaw with: Chain brake, catcher, spark arrester
Chainsaw chaps and boots with steel toe
Gas can and gas
Rubber boots
Gallon sized water containers
Generators
Extension cords
Power strips
Electric cords
Dry Ice
Water purification tablets
Sunscreen
First Aid supplies
Batteries
Battery powered radios
Coolers filled with ice
Tarps/Visqueen
Duct tape & other adhesives
Roofing nails
Tools – hammer, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc., anything for repairing or prying loose
Work gloves
Shovels
Blankets
Matches w/waterproof container

Cleaning Supplies:
Bleach – Clorox
Clorox wipes, etc
Industrial Size Push Brushes
Garbage Bags – heavy duty
Garbage cans
Face masks
Paper Towels
Toilet paper

Food supplies:
Canned food
Manual can opener
Cooking tools
Paper plates
Non perishable food items
Food items for infants and elderly
Food for special diet's – salt, sugar, etc.

Call the church with any questions,
Blessings,
Emma

The Rev. Emma F. Connolly
Canon Deacon for Pastoral Services
St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral
Jackson, MS 39205
601-354-1535, Ext. 128

Previous Comments

ID

134089

Comment

Earlier in the day, they were asking for toddler-sized diapers and flashlights. Now they are asking, no...BEGGING, for food and water because they were about to run out. They were asking for meat such as beef, and they said that it does not have to be cooked. Also, they are willing to take food that would otherwise be thrown out because it cannot be left cold. Of course, don't bring anything that's been warm for over four hours, or else they'll end up sick.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-08-30T22:46:57-06:00

ID

134090

Comment

I just got an e-mail from a family member who lives away from here who is on the Lounge List and, thus, just got Emma's message that I forwarded. She is sending a check. If you're an ex-pat, or just are reading this from elsewhere and want to help, one great way to help would be to send donations directly to Rev. Connolly. Or you can donate directly to Red Cross; click http://www.redcross.org/ to see how to donate online. Thank you all! Our friends and families in Mississippi thank you profusely.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T11:37:06-06:00

ID

134091

Comment

Ken Patterson just sent a list of phone numbers for places collecting money, supplies or time donations for disaster relief. Please pass the word: American Red Cross (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) English; (800) 257-7575 Spanish Operation Blessing (800) 436-6348 America's Second Harvest (800) 344-8070 To donate cash or volunteer Adventist Community Services (800) 381-7171 Catholic Charities, USA (703) 549-1390 Christian Disaster Response (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554 Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (800) 848-5818 Church World Service (800) 297-1516 Convoy of Hope (417) 823-8998 Lutheran Disaster Response (800) 638-3522 Mennonite Disaster Service (717) 859-2210 Nazarene Disaster Response (888) 256-5886 Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (800) 872-3283 Salvation Army (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769) Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief (800) 462-8657, ext. 6133 United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T14:40:21-06:00

ID

134092

Comment

The Sun Herald has just posted a story literally begging for assistance. What the H*** is "not" going on over there.

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-08-31T15:42:56-06:00

ID

134093

Comment

ATL, I just posted that on the top of the site. Thanks for the alert. It sounds like we got some major relief problems in Mississippi.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T16:19:01-06:00

ID

134094

Comment

All, we just heard that the Coliseum is really backed up processing today's donations at the moment. My suggestion is to keep dealing directly with St. Andrews and Rev. Connolly for the moment, as they are also collecting items to send to the Coast. Also, she called for food to be taken directly to St. Andrews downtown for preparation of hot meals that they can deliver to the shelters here. For the moment, I would go that route.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T16:23:01-06:00

ID

134095

Comment

Does anyone know WHO in the city is coordinating relief/donation efforts here in Jackson??? We haven't been able to get diddley-squat of use from the city this week. Melton called a press conference today at his house, and they left a phone message on our sales department's line, rather than editorial. So we didn't even get there to ask questions and get vital information. His press woman's cell phone has been disconnected. The city's Web site hasn't been updated with anything about what to do/where to go to help. This is getting frustrating even hereóand we're not dealing with anything like the Coast is. All we're hearing about, it seems, is the problems with people's power and getting gas -- but where is a coordinated effort to get help to these people? A clearinghouse of who needs help in Jackson and how to do it? We've heard much more out of mayors of other cities, like Hattiesburg, this week. If we've missed major announcements from the city, someone please update us. We want to get the information out as quickly as possible. Please post anything you know/that you've heard.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T16:27:29-06:00

ID

134096

Comment

This from the Clarion-Ledger just now: In an executive order this afternoon, Melton said Entergy trucks and all related vehicles will have priority access to open gas stations. Along Northside Drive, the lines of motorists wrapped sometimes around blocks, waiting for hours to fill their tanks. Shanks said crews are still assessing all the damage two days after Hurricane Katrina threw limbs and into power lines and trees on homes. Trees won't be removed from lines until they've all been assessed, she said. "We're beginning to work on our priorities of water plants, police stations, hospitals and shelters," she said. He again set a curfew for Jackson, saying it would remain in effect until he felt comfortable all the city streets were clear of debris and downed wires. The curfew runs from midnight to 6 a.m.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T16:39:18-06:00

ID

134097

Comment

Donna, do you have access to a television where you are? WAPT has been giving very detailed coverage, and the last couple of things I have heard are as follows: *Evacuees at the Coliseum now have lots of water, and they have gotten a large amount of food. Their immediate needs are for paper plates and plastic forks so they can serve the food, and they really need pillows and blankets. *There are 300 dialysis patients at the Trade Mart who also need pillows and blankets. *Urge restaurant owners to donate/cook unspoiled food that they cannot keep frozen. Go to http://www.thejacksonchannel.com/index.html to watch live streaming video.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-08-31T19:17:45-06:00

ID

134098

Comment

Donna, do you have access to a television where you are? WAPT has been giving very detailed coverage, and the last couple of things I have heard are as follows: *Evacuees at the Coliseum now have lots of water, and they have gotten a large amount of food. Their immediate needs are for paper plates and plastic forks so they can serve the food, and they really need pillows and blankets. *There are 300 dialysis patients at the Trade Mart who also need pillows and blankets. *Urge restaurant owners to donate/cook unspoiled food that they cannot keep frozen. Go to http://www.thejacksonchannel.com/index.html to watch live streaming video.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-08-31T19:19:19-06:00

ID

134099

Comment

I forgot to mention that the Salvation Army needs donations also. You can donate at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/ Here is a direct quote: A $100 donation to The Salvation Army will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit, containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-08-31T19:24:46-06:00

ID

134100

Comment

Thanks, L.W., I have seen quite a bit of WAPT's coverage. They are definitely the best news broadcast in town in my view. But we're putting the paper out tonight, so I haven't seen everything. Thanks for the update on the needs for donations! Keep it comin', y'all.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-08-31T20:13:32-06:00

ID

134101

Comment

All, I'm looking for an update on the needs at the shelters. Meantime, our artist Tony DiFatta has been collecting stuff and taking truckloads over. If you want to drop any items for donation at the JFP offices in Fondren, give me a quick call and bring the stuff over. I know there are concerns about gas and getting around, but if you can get it here, we'll put it all together and get it there. Don't bring us truckloads, though; we can't handle it, but you can put small donations (non-refrigerated) of clothing, baby needs and the like in our front room to await pickup. And it would probably help down there to have designated people take stuff rather than tons of people showing up with a bag of stuff. Also, one thought is to donate any and all promotional T-shirts you have sitting around so people can have a fresh change. We're about to send over all our remaining JFP t-shirts and a gaggle of Crossroads shirts. Any others? 601.362.6121 ext. 5

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-01T13:47:00-06:00

ID

134102

Comment

Updated list of Red Cross and Salvation Army needs, just in from the Metro Chamber: The Red Cross is asking for the following items.† The most important and highly needed items are listed first. † 1.† Monetary donations 2.† Wipes 3.† Sanitizing lotions 4.† First-aid supplies 5.† Dry shampoo 6.† Bedding 7.† Towels 8.† Baby items such as formula, food and diapers 9. Toiletries 10. Water 11. Food 12.† Paper items 13.†Clothing † The American Red Cross is also needing volunteers to help prepare food and serve food at the shelters.† † For more information, contact (601) 353-5442 or visit www.mississippi-redcross.org Salvation Army - Donations Needed The Salvation Army is currently in need of can goods, ice, and monetary donations.† For more information, contact (601) 968-3999.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-01T15:49:30-06:00

ID

134103

Comment

From Rev. Connolly just now ..... Hi Donna, we are in desperate need of disposable aluminum pans. Second to that, any vegetable, cut up chickens, ground beef, and gasoline. (that last one is a prayer for all, I know!) Thank you Thank you!

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-01T16:46:43-06:00

ID

134104

Comment

Anyone have some volunteer time for internet work? The message board I have is relatively small compared to some others - but the information on them is scattered all over the net. There is a lady who has set up an alphabetized list and is asking the rest of us to help her compile a combined list so people won't have to go all over the place. She's a database person who can put this sort of thing together (it's beyond me, doing forums and databases, which is why I went to yahoo). This works better for people, so I've fed her all the information from my message group and now we are looking for folks to help publicize this and move information from other disorganizaed lists that are not sorted in any way (people have to look thru hundreds of pages of stuff at the Sun Herald's huge site) http://www.nicolediana.com/index.php?showforum=121 She's also helping Red Cross organize their lists of "lost" and "found" people - their list has no organization either. Anyone got any time? I'm working in between other stuff and Nicole is planning on working on this all night (don't ask me when she sleeps) Either write her or me if you can help (probably her, since she is organizing this) : "Nicole" or "C.W."

Author

C.W.

Date

2005-09-01T21:50:56-06:00

ID

134105

Comment

Y'all, this may be a weird question/thought, but I figure I'll at least get good answers and info here. I'm currently packing up my apartment because I'm moving to Jackson in a month. Among other things, this will entail getting rid of the bulk of my clothing because I never wear it. I've already got about five large garbage bags full of clothing I weeded out months ago because I needed the space (but never got around to getting out of my apartment :-)), and I haven't even started going through the several closets full of clothes that I "kept" during that weeding. So I expect to have a significant amount to give. It struck me yesterday that it would be ideal if I could somehow get this stuff to people in Mississippi who are in such dire need right now. But getting it over there seems to be a problem. Does anybody have any good suggestions on that, what organizations might accept it (I assume the Red Cross would right now), or any other info on how I could get this to work? Or should I just donate money, and donate the clothes here in Sweden (where they're not particularly needed)? Any help would be appreciated. If you prefer, E-mail me at [email][email protected][/email] . Best regards, Tim

Author

Tim Kynerd

Date

2005-09-02T16:13:07-06:00

ID

134106

Comment

OK, I'm hearing from Tony Difatta, who has been delivering donations all week, that the shelters need diapers, size 5, clean t-shirts (large and extra large), bacterial lotion and waterless cleaner, antiseptic spray, towels, feminine hygience products. Everything should be clean, it goes without saying. The Coliseum is swamped with donations; I'll get a list of other spots up Saturday. I'd hoped to get such a thing from the city, but they are not organized enough to say much of use right now. So we all make take this on on our own. Also, Tony reminds us that there are volunteers here from other states who are barely getting enough to eat. He suggests getting in touch with the Red Cross HQ on Riverside to see what they need. He suggested taking them good coffee over (he donated a grinder for beans). We're going to try to ramp this up as a place where you can find organized info on how to help both evacuees and residents of Jackson who are in trouble. We are trying to put together teams of young people to go door-to-door in powerless neighborhoods and ask what they need, so we can match needs with the things y'all have to donate. If you want to help volunteer, call our offices tomorrow. There are some great kids who arrived today from Madison, Wisc., who are going to help coordinate that. We've got to do something to help people.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-02T20:55:00-06:00

ID

134107

Comment

On a lighter note, did anyone hear about a couple from New Orleans who are getting married tomorrow at the Coliseum? The wedding is tomorrow at 4 PM. They have been reporting it on WAPT since Thursday, so the station may have more details. The couple was supposed to get married on August 28, but they had to leave to escape the hurricane. Everything was paid for, but even though those investments are long gone, people are donating limo service, a hotel room, etc. I'm looking for that marriage to last a long time. If they can make it through this, they can make it through anything!

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-09-02T21:37:01-06:00

ID

134108

Comment

Donna, Can you reprint Maureen Dowd's column today? (Don't know how that works.) It's brilliant. Take care!

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-03T10:03:14-06:00

ID

134109

Comment

Here's information on which shelters are open in Jacksonóonly one, the Mississippi Coliseum, still has space (1,000 people) by the time this was updated: http://www.mississippi-redcross.org/disaster/shelters.htm Also, I understand that the Animal Rescue League is in need of food and toys for displaced animals. We'll see what we can find out; also, about the possibility of Jacksonians fostering animals for evacuees. Will get back, but post something if you know already. Knol is down there trying to find out something now. If you want to volunteer for Red Cross, go to their Web site: http://www.mississippi-redcross.org/ I believe you can also go to the Coliseum to get info about it. Some folks are complaining that you have to go through a short training -- but it makes sense when you think about it. Just do the training, so you'll know what to do.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-03T11:46:10-06:00

ID

134110

Comment

I was just at the coloseum. A Hinds sheriffs deputy told me that they have MORE than they need. Don't need food, water. There is a total of around 1400 people there and another 400 at Trade Mart. He said the people there need gas, as some of them have heard that their homes are okay, but don't have gas to leave.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-03T14:57:23-06:00

ID

134111

Comment

I saw on WAPT that the Salvation Army on Presto Lane needs food and water. Their number is 601-969-7560.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-09-03T18:55:52-06:00

ID

134112

Comment

Sidenote: John Grisham is donatiing five million dollars to disaster relief. Grisham, a former state legislator, said the fund will assist Mississippi residents and businesses. "When you make charitable contributions, you realize you can't save the world, so you find a small area you can go into and hopefully do some good and do it with your own money and you're own sweat and you see the results," he said. "You can't spread yourself too thin." The next step, Grisham said, is to hire a small staff to evaluate the hundreds ó perhaps thousands ó of requests for aid. The couple hopes to initially employ coast residents who have lost their jobs and are familiar with the area. He termed the process of evaluating people's needs a huge challenge and said that it will take time. "I wonder how many of these homes are uninsured, how many are insured, and how big a gap there is between insurance and loss, he said. "Let's help plug those gaps."

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-09-03T20:34:19-06:00

ID

134113

Comment

Good news: Hurricane Survivor Hardy Jackson Gets a House

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-09-03T22:31:35-06:00

ID

134114

Comment

Late last night, Sunday night, a friend got an email that the coliseum needs volunteers! Urgent need for volunteers! When I went to the coliseum yesterday, a Hinds deputy told me that nothing is needed at the coliseum, but maybe he just meant food and water. He did say that he didn't see much of the Red Cross helping there except for their pleas for money all the time. However, I saw several young women with Red Cross stick-on handwritten badges- but apparently it's VERY unorganized down there. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT COLISEUM!!

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T07:50:26-06:00

ID

134115

Comment

Towanda, I'm hearing two stories on that, too. Let me see what we can find out. And if anyone goes there to try to help, please report back. You can call me: 362.6121 ext. 5. We need to get this updated.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-05T09:19:08-06:00

ID

134116

Comment

I'm going down there again and see what I can find out. Also, I wish someone (maybe me) will ask the Pilot truck stop if MEMA ever approached them to get gas for all of those stalled supply trucks trying to get gas to get to the coast this past week. According to local news, that Pilot truckstop is the biggest in America, has 12 tanks that each hold 15,000 gallons of gas, and I'm sure that have had huge stocks of diesel gas as well. Inquiring minds want to know. Just talked to a medical worker who had been at Trade Mart several days, and she says no one knows who's "in charge" of the effort at the coliseum and trade mart. Who is making decisions? She keeps asking. Who's in Charge in Mississippi seems to be mystery to many.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T09:40:56-06:00

ID

134117

Comment

All, you're making a difference! Keep the donations and supplies comingóand thanks so much to all of you outside Jackson and Mississippi who are responding to these specific needs. Here's an e-mail from Marcia Weaver with updates on needs by the Lutheran Episcopal Services. Note the link to the supply list and where to take them: The Katrina blog is great. Thanks to all. Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi (LESM) is coordinating relief efforts. Persons in LESM have several years of disaster experience. LESM is using the Episcopal website at http://www.dioms.org/ to get out information. Want to volunteer to help, Monday at 10 AM LESM will train workers to match screened families for temporary relocation housing. The training site is posted. Also note the updated list of supplies needed on the coast. Ascention Lutheran, Old Canton Road at County Line Road, is where supplies can be donated.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-05T13:20:22-06:00

ID

134118

Comment

Rev. Connolly sent an e-mail out earlier to parishioners/this are the parts that are relevant to the general public: Bishop Gray is asking us to contribute to the Lutheran-Episcopal Social Ministries (LESM), Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), and to the Diocese of Mississippi. Descriptions of these organizations and the relief efforts of each are found on the diocesan website. You may make your checks out to St. Andrewís Cathedral and on the memo line please designate the organization to which you wish to contribute. Let friends, family, and co-workers know about the above organizations and the work they are doing. All contributions are welcomed. Contribute items on the list found on the diocesan website. These materials are being collected for the long-term clean up and rebuilding effort on the Gulf Coast. Items may be delivered to St. Andrewís when you come to church on Sundays, or they may be delivered to the gymnasium of Ascension Lutheran Church on the corner of County Line and Old Canton Road in Jackson. These items are for the sustained relief effort of the Lutheran-Episcopal Social Ministries Disaster Response Teams. They will be down on the Gulf Coast area for months to come. If you have a truck or SUV and can transport the above items to the coast this week to Christus Victor Lutheran Church, contact Robert Connolly, 601-573-5796. Almost 100 of you have volunteered in the effort this week to cook an deliver thousands of meals to the evacuees at the Trade Mart and the Coliseum. We extend to you our profound thanks. If you are available to come to the Cathedral this week for a couple of hours (morning or afternoon) to assist in cooking vegetables to deliver to the Coliseum for evacuees, please call Emma Connolly, 601-502-5143. An elderly New Orleans couple who has lost everything are seeking to relocate in our area. They want to rent a small home in the Belhaven area near their family. Please call Emma if you know of something available within walking distance of McDadeís. Stewpot has been serving double their normal numbers. If you have time this week, check with them about 11:30am ñ they may need your help. The Stewpot Food Pantry needs your help bagging groceries for needy families this week for about an hour in the mornings. Please call Linda Powers, 601-829-4737 if you can assist. Blessings to you, Emma Connolly

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-05T13:25:42-06:00

ID

134119

Comment

Okay, the Pilot truckstop - and the other one across the interstate from Pilot, can't think of the name- Neither is the biggest truckstop in America, unlike what WAPT said. And they did not have diesel fuel last week. Couldn't get it. Sounds strange, just like the folks on the gulf coast going without help for days.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T13:41:26-06:00

ID

134120

Comment

copyright Toronto Sun Gulf Coast Poisoned? By PETER WORTHINGTON NORMALLY, ONE wouldn't expect a small environmental magazine in Canada to discover a shocking reality of the New Orleans hurricane disaster that seems to have escaped notice. It seems that a toxic landfill site on which housing was built in central New Orleans is now under floodwaters with the potential to pollute and contaminate portions of the Gulf Coast. Despite the overwhelming international coverage of Hurricane Katrina's lethal attack on southern U.S. states, it is the current issue of Solid Waste & Recycling magazine that unearthed an environmental hazard that has the potential of being an underwater Love Canal. CNN and Fox News have now been alerted. Something called the Agriculture Street Landfill (ASL) is located on a 95-acre site in central New Orleans. It is registered as a "Superfund site" (whatever that is) on the federal government's national priorities list of highly contaminated sites requiring cleanup and containment. But nothing has been done. Instead of removing the mass of toxic waste 50 years ago, the site was covered with clean soil and houses and a school were built on top of it. Not only was municipal garbage dumped there, but for decades industrial wastes from service stations, manufacturers, and chemical facilities were put there. In the 1940s and 1950s, the site was routinely sprayed with DDT, but in 1962 some 229,300 cubic metres of excess fill was removed because subsurface toxic fires kept erupting (and got the site known as "Dante's Inferno"). According to the editor of Hazardous Waste magazine, the ASL site -- now under water -- will almost inevitably leach toxic effluent into the floodwaters, with the potential of inflicting unpredictable damage on the coast, and those that live there -- a possible environmental catastrophe. The editor of the magazine is Guy Crittenden, coincidentally my stepson, but also a recognized "expert" on hazardous environmental issues. Guy used maps of the old ASL site and overlaid them on maps of today's New Orleans and found that "the old toxic landfill is situated right in the middle of a huge area of 3-foot flooding." In the past, residents who lived in housing atop the landfill have complained about unusual cancers and ill-defined health problems, and even lobbied unsuccessfully to be relocated. Apparently, a case study listed on the website of a group known as Environmental Justice has a detailed description of the ASL and its history of pollution. For those who care, or know New Orleans, the contaminated ASL is bounded on the north by Higgins Blvd. and the south and west by a railroad right-of-way. The eastern boundary is Clouet St. to Press and Montegut Sts. That means nothing to me, but it is roughly midway between Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans business district and the French Quarter. As Crittenden points out, while the immediate concern in the hurricane aftermath is humanitarian -- rescuing and relocating people -- the long-term concern may be toxic pollutants leached from the flooded downtown landfill. The more one learns of New Orleans, the more one comes to a conclusion that it would be folly to try and restore the city -- especially parts that are significantly below sea level. Realistically, the city should be relocated, with the historic French Quarter -- the original town, built on higher ground -- which escaped serious damage, left as a tourist attraction or theme park. A Williamsburg of the Gulf. There is no safeguard against hurricanes -- even if George W. Bush weren't president.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T15:19:01-06:00

ID

134121

Comment

What's the link on this, Towanda? BTW, all, let's not post many full-text articles. I think it's fine to post entire "open letter"-type editorials, but let's not post full articles. Post an excerpt and a link, please.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-05T15:22:12-06:00

ID

134122

Comment

Sorry, you're quite right. Wasn't thinking. ( A friend just emailed the article to me, so I copied it onto JFP site. Won't do it again, just the link, etc.) Here's the link: http://torontosun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Worthington_Peter/2005/09/05/1202432.html

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T15:27:11-06:00

ID

134123

Comment

I don't know where this should go on the website, but I just watched my videotapes of the Katrina coverage, beginning Saturday morning, August the 27th. Now that W. and Rove are trying to smear Gov. Kathleen Blanco, thought you'd be interested in this dialog from CNN news conference on Sunday morning, August 28th, 24 hours before Katrina hit New Orleans: First, the Louisiana governor stated that she had just received a phone call from President Bush and that "he was very concerned about the impact that this will have on our people ". . . "Leaders of the highest ranks of our nation have recognized the destructive forces and awesome danger we are in. " Gov. Blanco introduced the head of LA national guard, General Landreneau. General Landreneau said "The governor directed that all state reserves be available to the parishes . . . The governor directed we mobilize 4,000 guardsmen to support the parishes . . . WE ARE COORDINATING WITH FEMA TO MAKE FEDERAL ASSETS AVAILABLE" [my all caps for emphasis.] This was said 24 hours before Katrina hit. There was much more said including comments from head of state police, Col. Whitehorn, and Secretary of Transportation re getting ready for contraflow and evacuation. Don't let the White House get away with lying about Governor Blanco and the Louisiana officials, including Mayor Ray Nagin. On Monday, after Katrina hit and moved on, Gov. Blanco publicly declared that Louisiana needed 40,000 national guard troops immediately. She still doesn't have HALF of them today, Monday, September 5th.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T15:50:14-06:00

ID

134124

Comment

Towanda, please move this comment to the following thread: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=7074_0_44_0_C Then I'll delete it from here; let's keep this one focused on donations, not the blame game.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-05T15:54:54-06:00

ID

134125

Comment

Again, all, this thread is ONLY for donation information. Please move any posts that aren't about what people can give to help victims to the appropriate threads or start your own forum thread (but a forum thread won't show up on the KatrinaBlog). I'll going to clean them out in a little bit.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-05T15:56:31-06:00

ID

134126

Comment

That thread is this page, when I clicked on it.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T15:57:28-06:00

ID

134127

Comment

Okay, now I got it. My pop-up blocker messed me up.

Author

Towanda

Date

2005-09-05T16:00:02-06:00

ID

134128

Comment

[quote]Also, I understand that the Animal Rescue League is in need of food and toys for displaced animals. We'll see what we can find out; also, about the possibility of Jacksonians fostering animals for evacuees. Will get back, but post something if you know already. Knol is down there trying to find out something now.[/quote] I have been to the animal shelter twice at the Fairgrounds. It is a primary staging area and has received over 100 animals (some stray and some left in shelters). There are several organizations involved and you can sense the tension as a pecking order is being established. I believe, ultimately, the HSUS (Human Society) has taken over the shelter and are dealing with several pets that have owners and several more that do not have homes. The easiest way to help? If you are a member of an animal organization (HSUS, In Defense of Animals, etc), donate to them. You can also donate to Mississippi Animal Rescue League by mailing a check (4395 South Drive, Jackson, MS 39209) or donating money online by clicking here. They have plenty of volunteers. Their main need is money (since it can be spent on priority items such as medication). You can find a list of items needed on their website by visiting www.msarl.org. I was deeply moved by the hard work and dedication of many of these organizations. Groups from all over the country were mobilized and within our borders within hours of Katrina's passing. I even rescued a special someone myself.

Author

kaust

Date

2005-09-05T16:18:20-06:00

ID

134129

Comment

Again, all, this thread is ONLY for donation information. Please move any posts that aren't about what people can give to help victims to the appropriate threads or start your own forum thread (but a forum thread won't show up on the KatrinaBlog). I'll going to clean them out in a little bit. If anyone's interested, I started a thread myself about rebuilding New Orleans, using a quote from the article Towanda quoted above as a jumping-off point. It's here: What to do about New Orleans?

Author

Tim Kynerd

Date

2005-09-05T16:38:48-06:00

ID

134130

Comment

I'm over here in Atlanta but we have refugees at Dobbins. So I empited my closets of all the shirts I have not worn in two years, all my cotton sweaters (it will be chilly in a few weeks here); went to Target and the Dollar store and bought piles of white socks (come on guys we all know how good a pair of clean new socks feels...all snuggly); Underwear for four different age brackets (for guys). Have asked a little girl in the neighborhood to get with her mother and ask her what a girl her age and a grown woman would need (this is for the second haul). Just some ideas for you guys to think about as the call goes out for more supplies. Also the Dollar store is a good haunt for toothpaste, tooth brushes, deoderant. Stuff like that.

Author

ATLExile

Date

2005-09-05T20:18:09-06:00

ID

134131

Comment

The news is now saying they have more than enough things at the coliseum, and turning donations away. Suggesting people take them to the churches that are transporting items to the coast. FYI -

Author

herman

Date

2005-09-06T07:08:17-06:00

ID

134132

Comment

Red Cross asked us to take donations of clothing to the Salvation Army--as I understand it they will distribute the clothing. Herman's idea of giving them to churches going down to the coast might get the things there more immediately.

Author

Izzy

Date

2005-09-06T10:53:56-06:00

ID

134133

Comment

There is a church in Hattiesburg (St Thomas Catholic Church 3117 West 4th Street Hattiesburg, MS)) that has set up a distribution center. They have a Mobile Crisis Response vehicle that is taking supplies to the extremely rural areas in south MS. THEY WILL TAKE INDIVIDUAL donations (unlike the Red Cross). If you have a pick up full of stuff and the RC won't take it. I KNOW WHO WILL. This operation will be moving to the coast once Hattiesburg is back under control. These rural people need water and food STILL. They haven't seen relief in these areas AT ALL. THere is forgotten territory between Hatiesburg and the coast they are trying to cover.

Author

Lori G

Date

2005-09-06T16:21:24-06:00

ID

134134

Comment

Ali, can you give an e-mail address for people to get more info if they need it.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T16:22:43-06:00

ID

134135

Comment

[email][email protected][/email] Because, you know, I *DO* ;)

Author

Lori G

Date

2005-09-06T16:24:28-06:00

ID

134136

Comment

No argument here, girlfriend.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T16:30:19-06:00

ID

134137

Comment

Fronm Barbour's office today: Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Jackson, MS * Governor Haley Barbour's Office and MEMA have set up the Multi Agency Staging Center to receive bulk/large donations of goods. This center will be open 7 days a week/24 hours a day to receive only large donations. The Center has loading docks and is staffed to receive and unload shipments delivered by trailer trucks. Bulk/large donations of goods may be sent to the: Multi Agency Staging Center 840 Boling Street Jackson, MS 39202 For information about donations to the Multi Agency Staging Center or for directions to the Center, you may call the donation hotline at 601-969-6155 or 1-866-230-8903. Please call the hotline to schedule arrival times and to confirm goods or items to be donated. For small donations of food, clothing, money or other goods and services, please contact local shelters.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T16:34:23-06:00

ID

134138

Comment

Pinelake has trucks running to Petal, Mississippi and to the Coast. They were taking peanut butter, canned food and diaper/baby items.

Author

emilyb

Date

2005-09-06T16:39:48-06:00

ID

134139

Comment

OH! And of course water.

Author

emilyb

Date

2005-09-06T16:40:17-06:00

ID

134140

Comment

Christ United Methodist Church on Old Canton Road has been designated as a distribution site for donations. They are in need of any personal hygiene items, baby diapers, formula, wipes, cleaning items, rubber work boots, Clorox, work gloves, heavy duty rubber gloves, any cleaning products, shovels, rakes, medical supplies, adult and children's Tylenol and Motrin, industrial size canned food goods, non-perishable food items....really the list is endless. They are sending trucks from the church to the coastal areas.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T17:06:14-06:00

ID

134141

Comment

Money can be sent to Catholic Charities' emergency assistance fund 200 north congress suite 100 jackson, ms 39201. This money is for people in the jackson area in shelters and we are providing BASIC needs at this point.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T17:39:58-06:00

ID

134142

Comment

School supplies are needed for displaced kids enrolling in school here. Be in touch with Catholic Charities in Jackson.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T17:41:13-06:00

ID

134143

Comment

OK, all, I've loaded up the site with new Katrina info and announcements, the new issue is at the printer, and I gotta leave at 7 a.m. on a reporting trip. I'll likely be offline until Thursday, so everyone else please try to fill the gaps in my absence and keep the info on the KatrinaBlog flowing. Thanks to you all for everything, your support, your kind words and your help with vital information over the last week. Y'all rock. ó Donna

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-06T19:18:51-06:00

ID

134144

Comment

You rock too, Donna! Take care of yourself.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2005-09-06T19:33:14-06:00

ID

134145

Comment

I just talked with the family of the elderly couple from New Orleans who were looking to rent near McDade's in Belhaven. They have found an apartment.

Author

Steph

Date

2005-09-07T09:50:05-06:00

ID

134146

Comment

Metrocenter Mall and the Mayor's Youth Alliance are organizing "Tools for Hope" to get supplies, backpacks and uniforms...especially uniforms....to our newest Jackson students. More info coming...but while you are gathering clothes keep these uniform needs in mind.

Author

emilyb

Date

2005-09-07T17:00:00-06:00

ID

134147

Comment

Emily, thanks for the info. Tried to find a school supply list but couldn't... is it just the basics they need for school?

Author

c a webb

Date

2005-09-07T18:29:05-06:00

ID

134148

Comment

Here is the uniform policy: http://www.jackson.k12.ms.us/students/uniforms/uniforms.htm There is a drop down menu on the site that lists school supplies by K-2 and then 3-5. It's a PDF. It is the basics they will need for school right now. We are hoping to do a "Welcome!" type set-up for them.

Author

emilyb

Date

2005-09-07T19:01:45-06:00

ID

134149

Comment

JPS needs us to focus on uniforms. New and/or gently-used. They have received enrollment from sizes four (kids) to 42 (mens). They are also asking for personal entertainment items such as books, cd players, etc. The mall will have a space open to accept donations from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday. The space is staffed by "Tools of Hope" volunteers. They are also seeking volunteer services from beauticians/barbers and other service donations. We'll know more specific needs of the students after enrollment.

Author

emilyb

Date

2005-09-09T05:24:35-06:00

ID

134150

Comment

I emailed the local cosmetology schools a couple of days ago, suggesting that they may want to look into setting up shop at the coliseum. Most of the schools are closed until Monday though.

Author

Steph

Date

2005-09-09T09:54:26-06:00

ID

134151

Comment

Go to this link at Jackson Public Schools' Web site, and you'll find a list of school supplies for grades K-2 and one for grades 3-5. Look on the right in the column headed "Student, Parent, & Teacher Links." Info about School Uniforms is to the left beneath "Back to School Information." http://www.jackson.k12.ms.us/students/students.htm

Author

Lynette Hanson

Date

2005-09-10T23:00:49-06:00

ID

134152

Comment

(Donation update/pass the word) Please ask people with large trucks to contact Staff Seargeant Richie at Ascension Lutheran Church, Jackson - direct number is 971-506-2260. He is coordinating the logistics of supplies into the coastal area Episcopal and Lutheran churches. He may request that the truck come to Jackson to offload or he may redirect it into one of our operations centers on the coast. Donations Update: Please also try ot help get the word out that as we enter week #2 of the relief effort, that the needs in the coastal areas will change from immediate food and water to things like gatorade (in individual servings) and other electrolyte-rich sports drinks, more cleaning sulpplies and basic rebuilding tools, along with light furnishings - folding tables, collapsable chairs and step stools, etc. Look for all this and more to be posted to www.dioms.org . Many Peaces, Lauren Auttonberry Coordinator of Communications Diocese of Mississippi

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2005-09-11T23:18:20-06:00