To support Blog for Relief Day for Katrina, Been There has selected Habitat for Humanity. Please join us in contributing to this amazing organization!
If you have a blog and want to join Blog for Relief, go to Truth Laid Bear (http://www.truthlaidbear.com/).
Also, Moxie is asking people to PLEASE contact Carnival Cruise Lines and BEG them to send their ships into the Gulf to act as housing, storage and work stations. Here’s the link to Carnival.
As terrible as the aftermath of Katrina is, Americans are outdoing themselves with their generosity, and are using the web to organize resources in a way that has never been done before. It’s heartwarming to see what’s going on across the country in response to the tragedy.
If you haven’t seen the websites where people are offering their homes to new refugees, you should take a look.
Nola.com is one of the biggest. Here are some quotes from the site:
“Room in Utah”
“We want to open our hearts, through the doorway of our home. I’ll shift current living arrangements to make way to host small family or simply children if the parents need to focus on the current situation and need peace of mind that their kids are ok. We live in a small community with good schools and good people.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the residents of all the communities affected. I know there are a number of us around the country (and globe) who don’t live in the region, but feel as if we’re right in the thick of it as we watch the widespread media coverage…. those who want to extend our arms and embrace the displaced during this catastrophic encounter of hurricane Katrina. God Bless.”
Here area few more:
“My family doesn’t have much to spare, but we do have some extra space. We could share our home with one or two individuals (sorry no pets) until you’re able to get back on your feet. I am fairly sure I could get anyone a job at the food processing company I work at within a few days (>$10.00+/hr).”
“I know Denver might be a ways down the road, but I have a one bedroom furnished apt that I have available to help you regroup - a place to sleep, eat and provide communications. Don’t feel you have to go through this pain alone.”
“Welcome to our home! 4 spare rooms in a small Iowa town near Cedar Rapids (unfortunately not handicapped accessible). Will arrange transportation to and from. Return home when it’s safe or start over here. We are a couple in our 50’s, an aviation engineer and a writer. Relatives got through tough times living with us in the past, so this is not completely new to us. Want to help!”
Craigslist is also listing offers for homes, transportation, food, and help with finding a jobs.
Other sites are working on creating a clearinghouse for the homes being offered and screening and matching evacuees with housing arrangements. Those sites include:
www.homesforkatrina.org/ and http://katrinahomes.billhennessy.com
At this point, we can’t help but get the feeling that Americans across the country are doing so much more for the people of Louisiana and Mississippi than our leaders are.
The generosity and initiative take our breath away.