Hurricane Katrina Prayers and Action

Judi, thanks for the update and all of the awesome information.

Also, I want to mention something...that I completely forgot about...if you have a good connection with your MOD....call them...tell them what we are doing...they may be able to help you. They may *want* to help you. Sheesh! They may be *angry* with you for keeping this fantastic way to give back under wraps! Naw, they would love you for helping ... but still, I personally found out my MOD coordinator was *very* eager to help get some things together.

Melissa

Hi SHARE-ers!

I know some of you have been watching CNN, you've seen the horror and want to help. I also know many of us have our own finances that can not be neglected. While making up packages, I tried to make a note of what it would cost for us to help. I found that I could get many items for not a lot, this may allow those of you who want to help to do so without straining your own budgets! Great news!

The whole thing ran about $13 per care package (plus shipping).
Be careful about trial sizes, I found that I was able to get full sized items for less than the trials sizes in many things (toothpaste, shampoo, antibacterial gel, etc). At the front of the store, Target has a $1 bin area that has washclothes, soaps, etc.

For that cost (~13.00), I was able to include:
slightly larger than shoe box plastic bin w/ lid (used for packing)
2 washclothes
shampoo
disposible razor
toothbrush
toothpaste
deodorant
bar of soap
pack of pony tail holders
antibacterial wipes
Purell
stationary pack of 8 paper/envelopes
disposible camera - Fujifilm 27 exp - $3.77
A ziploc baggie of Jolly Rancher candy

I can not even imagine the sense of loss and destruction down there, but I can remotely understand the displacement. We left home for the NICU without packing anything. I didn't return home for 12 weeks. Fortunately, Randy had a home to go back to to retrieve our things. The hospital didn't provide these kind of care items for us. What a difference this $13 package could make for a family, without packing too much of a punch in your own family's budget.

Hope this allows more families to help. God bless you all for your generosity. And thanks to those of you who have expressed an interest to send your kids' unused books for families there. Preemie parents are some of the most amazing, generous people I have the honor of knowing!!! Really amazing.

Thanks again Judi for letting us know of this need. Keep us posted!

Warmly,
Darcy

ps - this was cross posted to my blog as well, I apologize for the repeat, but I wanted to reach as many people as possible! TY!

AWESOME, Darcy!! Thank you so much!!!

Hugs!
Michele

Way to go SHARE community!!! And thanks, Darci, for your BLOG message which pointed me to this folder. I am so happy to finally have somewhere concrete to send items that will be useful and I think really appreciated.

Happy care-packaging-
Lori

Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every family effected by this horrific tragedy.... We too have been glue to CNN.. I cannot imagine what these families are experiencing.. The pain and despair I have seen on the faces of these people.... I have tried to image the overwhelming despair these families are experiencing ...I have tried to imagine what it felt like to know that you have been separated from your child and do not know where he/she has been taken, or what is happening to them.... The questions, despair, and panic that must be running through their minds and in their hearts.....

MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THEM.!!!!!!!!

We are sending baskets out today to the address above.. We have made a monetary donation to the Red Cross... Judi & Nancy I will be checking this message board regularly..If you find there is additional items needed our family will help in any way we can..

Like so many here we watch the news with overwhelming heartache that leaves us with the desire to do more. To do SOMETHING!!!...ANYTHING!!!!... To offer whatever resourses within our means.. PLEASE!!!!! let me know if there is anything else I can do to help....

March of Dimes Lousianna my thoughts and prayers are with you as well knowing the tough days you have ahead..Distributing baskets, fulfiling needs, and offering needed support..
HUGE!!!!...**Hugs** to each of you!!!

God Bless
Melody

Melissa,

I heard on the news that some of the babies was taken to Texas as well.. Do you know if they are experiencing the same needs as LA.. **I would think they would be**.. If you find they are, or will be soon please post the address where I can send baskets, and parent's care packages to them as well..

Thank you!!!
God Bless
Melody

Sorry it took so long to post again. We moved back to our home town. My whole family moved into my mom's until power was on at each of our homes. Our phones are extremely limited.
    I am so touched by all that you all have done for these families. I would also suggest bottled water because it has been hard to find at times even in Baton Rouge. They have so many extra people there right now.
    Another thought - MOD might be able to see if there is a way to funnel financial help specifically to these families. Many who had good jobs and insurance may not anymore. In my family of the 6 adults, 3 are waiting to see if they have jobs.
   Nancy, glad you moved this! I even saw the head nurse of Ochsner who took care of me and my 2nd preemie on the national news. They managed to stay open the whole time.
   As I am typing this, they are showing a woman who delivered while waiting to be evacuated from the New Orleans airport!
  Well, let me go. I am blessed enough to get to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Thank you and God Bless You All for Your Efforts for these Displaced Families,
Marcie

Marcie...I am *so* glad you are safe....and starting to regain some of your normal life again...I have been following the Katrina stories very closely....my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Okay Friends!

I visited my in-law-extended family in Shreveport LA today. Took several boxes to the Red Cross there....mailed several care packages too. I've been keeping very close tabs on things in LA through family and friends. Still it is a difficult ... difficult situation...but thankfully, most of the folks in NO have finally been moved out.

Let's not forget TX either. I hear we have received most of the folks from the super dome. Gov. Perry agreed to have temporary shelter for them in Dallas, Houston..and I think now San Antonio. Lots and Lots of people! Please give to the Red Cross so TX can get much needed funds too!

Hi Again SHARE Friends,

I fill like I am working on a telethon here!

Please *Please* give something. I know MOD is not a relief agency, but a non-profit organization who collects much needed funds...for very important work.

Still, folks form MOD have pulled many wonderful people together and started groups of caring people making these much needed baskets. Baskets that will mean so much to a person who now has so little...you are not just giving a toothbrush...you are giving hope...hope that things *will* get better...along with the *much* needed knowledge that these grief stricken people have *not* been forgotten.

Darcy did a fabulous job crunching the numbers. For just $13's you have seen what you can do for 1 person. Still, if you are on a tight budget (many of us are) and you still want to help (most of us do) then a gift of $5 or $10's to the Red Cross....OR....spending $5 or $10's on a care package.... can mean *such* a difference.

I do not see this as charity. I see this as humanity. We are treating our fellow Americans with the dignity, respect, and love that we ourselves would want, had it been us facing this difficult and terrible situation. Most of us can give something...even if we just dig in our storage... for old baby/child clothes, or give that dress in our closet that we keep thinking we will fit into *one day*. We can all do something!

March of Dimes' involvement....is partly family support...thus SHARE exists...and we as American citizens can support these families too. While MOD may not be able to send large sums of money....or huge boxes of materials...they can rally the troops (as they have done) and support us as we help others.

One things I've learned is....many of the folks who work for MOD...who volunteer for MOD....are good and helpful people...and they are not afraid to help however they can when a cause arises that they feel passionate about....Thank you so much for that! You are all *such* tremendous people!

Hugs!

Melissa

Just wanted to say that whatever you do, is a great gift to someone now who has lost everything.

Judi, my package went out and should get there by Tuesday I am told (because of the holiday weekend....and that was priority mail......5 days for parcel post).

There are a lot of "Dollar" stores that you can also get great buys for your care packages to help you s-t-r-e-t-c-h that dollar!!! So I know we are all on a tight budget, and if you cannot give today......they will be needing it down the road tomorrow and the next day. And prayers are priceless!

What a great community we have here on SHARE and beautiful people at MOD! I am glad to hear that the MOD staff in those areas are safe and I will keep them in my prayers too!

Hugs to all!
Brenda

Melissa, you are so great! As a March of Dimes employee, I am so grateful to have such a passionate volunteer. You keep me excited an inspired to do more!

We are beginning to see a big increase in the number of evacuees in our town now, but there are a lot of good people like Melissa here and our LA neigbors will be treated like family.

I am amazed and thrilled with what everyone is doing. I just wanted to let everyone know what I am trying to do. Money is very tight with us and I was stressing because I didn't think I could help. My husband works for a large college bookstore and through this store is on a couple of book organization boards. I have asked him to contact the boards and try to get each bookstore to donate 5 journals each. This way, a small donation from a bunch of stores will turn into a large donation. My husband said to me, when I made the suggestion, "Do you think people would want journals?" I had to laugh, and then showed him the ones I filled. Let's hope the stores go for it.

Kathleen

Kathleen,

Journaling is therapy...and I think you are wonderful for coming up with creative ideas to help...

Melissa

Very cool to read what everyone is doing. My gut instinct is the next area for help will be in Texas where it looks like 250,000 people are now living. Boggles the mind. I'm sure we'll hear on Tuesday if there are any specific MoD needs.

I'm currently working on two volunteer online efforts to help harvest missing/found persons data that are showing up MANY places online and another site that is offering cyber-assistance for neighborhoods to set up a "virtual" place to start their geographic community rebuilding while scattered across the country. I am particularly looking out for families with newborns and NICU babies and I will point them here and to the MoD. I suspect all these little connections can weave into something important.

It is heartening to see people finding every little way they can to contribute. My mom has mobilized her baby blanket making org (http://www.sjlinus.org) even while she is on the road (don't you love the internet?) She said to tell folks here if your local hospital or shelter needs blankets for kids (all ages) they should go to the http://www.projectlinus.org website and find your local chapter and put in a request. These could probably add to the NICU baskets, combining the work of many hands!

OK, I'll stop rambling. So glad you all are here.

keep the faith!

NBC: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9162855/

A (non Share, non MoD) blogger knitting for babies evacuated to Houston http://www.bigpinkcookie.com/2005/09/03/katrina-knitters/

I am looking for any bootie isolet covers or hats pattern for preemise that any one may have. I am way behind on post so if you could send any info to h_gierman@yahoo.com thank you so much for your effort. It will be appreciated.

Last night on the New Orleans news, they did a piece on the preemies that were evacuated. As of last night 10 babies in Baton Rouge still had not been reunited with their parents. One of the nurses was sitting rocking the babies. You could hear the emotion in her voice. She said that they were loving them and taking care of them until their parents could get to them. I just pray those parents can get to them soon!

Take care and God Bless All Of You For Your Efforts,
Marcie

Thanks for the update, Marcie!!

Praying for those babies who still have not been reunited with their parents!! God bless those parents & all the emotions they are going through.

Thanks again for the update!!

hugs
Sharlene

That is heart breaking. Praying that all those babies still have parents who will be coming to get them. I wish I could rock them. How about everyone let's get in our virtual rockers and hold those babies close.

Hi everyone!

First off, please let me say that what you are all doing is amazing and inspiring! I have already made a monetary donation to the Red Cross, but still want to do more. I was wondering if someone can give me the addresses of the hospitals or shelters that need the care packages? I would be more than happy to make several of them to send. I just don't know where to send them! I hope this doesn't get lost in the shuffle...there have been so many replies already...If someone could please reply ASAP, I would appreciate it! Thank you so much! And everyone - keep up the AWESOME work!

Melanie Schreck

The details can be found in post #9 above. If things change, I'll make sure to post and update. Come to think of it, I should point to that post in the top of this topic!

I just got up to speed after reading everyone's posts. The families here on SHARE, once again, amaze me, but never surprise me!!

I've shopped and prepared 2 care packages to mail, with the same basics everyone else has mentioned. They will be shipped tomorrow morning. As a little personal piece I made small (about the size of a burp cloth) sheet protectors out of fleece. I had purchased the fleece to make a baby blanket for a neighbor who recently had a baby. I lined each of the boxes with the fleece and then placed the items in the small box.

As I continue to watch the media attention (did anyone see Oprah today) my heart breaks with each story. I have this overwhelming need to go there, but know that's not possible for my family. Being able to make and send these care packages has given me a sense of helping in some way.

These families will rise above what has come upon them, and they will LIVE again. They will know that there are people in this world who do care, and do want to help.

Nancy, and Judi, I ask now. Is it okay to pass along this need to our own contacts, in our local MOD offices, families, and friends? Initially we were asked to hold off on that, until a better plan was in place to handle the packages. I'm anxious to spread the word of this great need.

Thank you all for your big hearts. I'm so proud to call you all my friends!!

Karri

Hi Karri,

I caught Oprah too and it was very disturbing to see. My heart sank and I had the same feeling about wanting to run there and do something more.......but reality hit that I could only do something from the sidelines.

So Judy and Nancy, do we spread the word for more care packages.......perhaps now for Texas?

I am also so very proud to be part of SHARE and MOD!!! This is a place where BIG HEARTS gather!!! Hugs to all.

Brenda & Benjamin (34 weeker born 12/24/99 with NEC)

I received an email from Judi who asked me to pass along this information:

YES!! More NICU baskets needed in Louisiana -- Want them to be very clear with their friends though -- only new things and only stuff really for NICU families....

I'm sorry that I haven't been on Share all day to say thanks and see the amazing things you are doing. It's been a long day (and weekend) with much of the time spent on the phone with our chapter staff or for them. And so I end my "workday" coming here to get rejuvenated and inspired by you.

First, let me say, please keep sending baskets for NICU families into Louisiana; and have your friends send too! Baskets can now go to our chapters in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama. But remember that the MOST NICU babies from the Hurricane are in Louisiana and that is also the chapter that has the NICU Family Support Project to help the families in other ways as well.

Little reminders:
The baskets (or gift bags, however you put them together) should be geared to NICU families (and think of them, for the most part in shelters, with little room). Everything in the basket should be brand new and the basket should be "self-contained" so our staff can hand it to a NICU family.

Baskets should be sent to our chapter offices, not hospitals or shelters -- they won't know who they are for and might get misdelivered, which would be a shame since you are so carefully thinking about NICU family needs.

Other needs now:
In Mississippi, Texas and Baton Rouge, the need is tremendous for diapers(all sizes) and wipes; newborn and infant clothing and maternity clothes. If you send these to our chapter offices, our staff will be sure they are delivered to shelters, hospitals and other areas where pregnant women, new moms and NICU families are being housed (for example, there is a church by the Woman's Hospital in Baton Rouge where only NICU families are staying while baby is in the hospital).

We are still asking for and receiving clothes from corporate partners (Gymboree, Motherhood Maternity and Children's Medical Ventures, so far), but much is needed.

If you send used clothing, please be sure that is is completely clean and in very good repair...I know we all want people to feel TOTALLY loved and cared for. And our staff cannot go through boxes -- we don't have that kind of manpower (or womanpower).

If you want to know what I think, it's that the need from you is greatest for the NICU baskets. The chapter is just begging for them (a few arrived today and they were so heartened!!). We can get other things from others -- and only you can make a NICU basket, you know? Remember that the note of comfort and support that you send with your basket might be the best thing in the basket!!

Starting tomorrow, we are putting information on our website about how to give (you can donate and we'll buy diapers instead of you having to buy them and ship them!!) and what each chapter involved is doing. This will expand over the next few weeks and evacuees are sent to more and more states. For example, 400 evacuees are on the way to Washington DC armory; our chapter is setting up a mobile "Mom and Baby Mobile" -- a medical care unit for pregnant women and newborns. Stuff is happening everywhere and we'll try to keep you posted. That goes up tomorrow afternoon.

For shipping your baskets:

Louisiana Chapter
March of Dimes
12015 Justice Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
  (225) 295-0655

March of Dimes
Texas Chapter
8131 LBJ Freeway, Suite #115
Dallas, TX 75251-1311
  (972) 669-3463

March of Dimes
Houston Division
Address: 3000 Weslayan, #100
Houston, TX, 77027
Phone: (713) 623-2020

March of Dimes
Mississippi Chapter
330 North Mart Plaza, Suite 1
Jackson, MS 39206
  (601) 362-8947

March of Dimes
Alabama Chapter
450 Century Park South, Suite 200-B
Birmingham, AL 35226
  (205) 824-0103

I've provided the phone numbers for your overnight or mail packages because sometimes its needed. Be cautious about calling the chapters (especially Louisiana) because they are so overwhelmed with things they are doing with moms and babies there. Just post here -- even when I can't get to SHARE, Nancy is letting me know if you have questions.

I know you all will be glad to know that Liza Cooper is heading to Baton Rouge tomorrow early to work with our two March of Dimes staff members who are working in the NICU Family Support project (at Baton Rouge Woman's Hospital). So you know those families are in loving hands and your baskets are going to get where they need to go! Liza will be there until Sunday at this point and then we will likely be sending other staff from elsewhere in the country who have had NICU Family Support experience.

One last word for tonight. Can I just say I love you guys? When this is over (and for most families, it will be over at some point) I will try to tell you how appreciated you are. But you have to know that in your hearts because our chapter in Louisiana may never really know which of you made baskets and sent them for families. But I know everyone of you cares and is sending prayer and warm thoughts.

I know you aren't doing it for our thanks. And that's exactly why I'm so thankful.

Judi,

Thanks so much for the update! I've put word out to some of my co-workers.....so hopefully we will get something going soon!!!

Tell Liza we are so proud of her and all the MOD staff for the endless compassion that you all extend to so many parents and babies!!! You guys are the BEST!!!!

Hugs,
Brenda

GREAT to see you, Melody!!!!

Hugs!
Michele

Judi,

Thank you for the update. Once again, MOD is doing great things, and moving mountains to help those in need!!

That's why we all love MOD!!

HUGS and prayers!
Karri

Judi,

Thanks for the update...we have been doing what we can in Texarkana. Busy - busy -Busy around here.

I just want to take this opportunity to say: It is often times the hardworking, compassionate little people that keeps this country moving in a positive direction.

It is the MOD workers who have spent tireless hours pulling together much needed aid for those Katrina left behind. Some of these workers include Judi and Nancy.....

And smaller town MOD workers like Linda.

It is the Red Cross volunteers who filter into shelters and cities where these people wait...

It is the church or private citizen in the community who opens their hearts and their wallet....and lately, even their community center.

It is the MOD family support workers, Like Liza...who leave at a moments notice because she is needed....

It is the workers for fantastic companies like Gymboree who gladly donate for this important cause.

It is people like Brenda, Darcy, Donna, Karri, Melody, and countless others who simply want to do a little bit more...when they have already done so much.

The less famous and less wealthy people of this country...the ones who live in small and large towns...the ones who live in Internet communities... .the ones who watch the news, feel their hearts hurting, and freely extend the best parts of themselves...the ones you see at the grocery store or washing their cars...

these people have come together for the purpose of helping fellow Americans....

and they have given *so* much more than the aid Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama are being sent ...

they have also given faith that tomorrow life will indeed go on...that healing can come from the love of strangers....that meaning can be placed on the seemingly simplest tasks...and that the human spirit is *so* resilient.

So thank each of you for looking into your hearts...and being the wonderful people that you always have been!

Melissa