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Hurricane Katrina – You Can Make a Difference
By Elisa Ast All
The last time I saw our local firefighters collecting donations in their work boots was after September 11, 2001. So when I saw them again on September 9, 2005, nearly four years to the day after that national tragedy, the sight of those burly guys walking through traffic encouraging motorists to share whatever they could was enough to bring tears to my eyes. This time, they were collecting for Hurricane Katrina relief, one of the worst disasters in U.S. history. As I put some money into the worn work boot, the firefighter looked me in the eyes and said, "Thank you." Thank me? "No," I replied. "Thank you!"
My next stop was the grocery store. I picked up a few things and pushed my cart to the checkout line. There, a couple of moms were talking about the hurricane. "Can you imagine having to leave your home with nothing but the clothes on your back?" one asked. "It's just unbelievable," the other replied. "We're doing what we can to help." When it was my turn to check out, I stuffed more money in to the store's collection can. They're collecting donations for Hurricane Katrina relief and will match up to $1 million to be given to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina.
When I arrived at work that day, my colleague Julie Keywell and I packed up several large boxes of toys, games and equipment geared toward families to be distributed through Catholic Charities to Hurricane Katrina evacuees arriving in Chicago every day. It is our hope that the children find comfort in the fun and familiarity of toys, or they can at least provide a much-needed distraction.
How can you help? Aside from volunteers, the thing relief agencies need most is financial support. "The donations are essential – they fuel the efforts in the disaster area," says Mike Braver, spokesperson for the Salvation Army in Chicago. A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit.
Braver says evacuees are being flown in to O'Hare Airport, where they are greeted by representatives of the Salvation Army, Red Cross and other relief organizations and given food, water and an assessment of needs (including physical, medical and clothing). They are then taken to the City of Chicago's "One-Stop" facility where a determination of housing is made.
The Salvation Army has room for 600 people at its Wonderland Camp and Conference Center in nearby Camp Lake, Wis., where they will be set up in cabins with bathrooms and a dining hall on site. But Braver points out that even if they fill the facility to capacity, there are a number of other housing options available. "We anticipate receiving as many people as we can take," he says. To support the Salvation Army, make a donation via their Web site at www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Catholic Charities is sheltering evacuees that have been airlifted out of Louisiana by United Airlines. The organization takes care of immediate problems and provides assistance for the long-term needs of the victims. Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to fund the local Catholic Charities agencies' emergency and long-term disaster recovery efforts. To support Catholic Charities, make a donation via their Web site at www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org.
While the needs of the people affected by Hurricane Katrina are priority No. 1, animal lovers are also assisting the Gulf Coast zoos and aquarium affected by it. Chicago's Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo and Shedd Aquarium are working together to help zoo and aquarium facilities and families affected by Hurricane Katrina. To contribute, make a donation via the Brookfield Zoo Web site at www.brookfieldzoo.org. For more ways to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, visit www.redcross.org and www.unitedway.org.
The key is to give wherever you see an opportunity to work through an organization you trust, whether it's a national relief agency or just your corner grocer. Be wary of "new" charities, telemarketers and online solicitations, which can be scams. Rather than giving cash, write a check or use your credit card to make donations whenever possible. Let your kids watch you contribute and explain to them why it's important to help in times of crisis. Working together, we can make a difference!