Hurricane Katrina Prayers and Action

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

I have sent a couple of packages and am getting the word out as best as I can.

I also called the Atlanta chapter (my chapter) and asked what we are doing for the evacuees here.

Thank you, Melissa, for you wonderful words of encouragement to everyone -- including me!

Today we are spending some time taking stock of where things are and how we can help Hurricane victims, especially pregnant women and babies over the next few months and the next YEAR. So much will be needed...

Did you know that Baton Rouge has taken in 300,000 evacuees and expects 6,000 additional births over the next three months?

Of course, there are more babies in the NICUs there now, and that number will sadly grow due to so many premature births caused by stress, infection, lack of health care because of the disaster.

Our future and long term efforts are going to be focused on those NICU families, but also on provdiing prenatal care and education and services to try to prevent some of those premature births...

Keep doing what you are doing...and we'll keep getting those baskets out into the NICUs.

If you feel the need to send baskets to chapters other than Mississippi and Louisiana, you might want to make your basket geared to the new mom with a healthy baby that she has to take home to a shelter...rather than a NICU mom.

That's becsue in the cities in Texas and other areas taking the evacuees, we migth not have the NICU Fmaily Support project or the means to be sure the basket gets to a NICU Family. If your basket is for "any family" then it can be given at shelters and in the hospitals.

If you still want to baskets for NICU families, the Baton Rouge chapter (address in previous post) will be needing them for a long time to come.

Thank you for all you are doing and for all you are.

I always believed that our Miracle Children bring more Miracles through the lives they touch.....look at all of us today........we bring

H O P E

to so many needy families. Bless you all for the big hearts you have!

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

I have always heard that everyone knows everyone by ten people.... Today I am more convinced of that than ever before....

This morning I was having a conversation with a co-worker over coffee about the Katrina tragedy.. We were discussing what we had both heard broadcast on our local radio station.. This radio station has sent a staff member to LA to report back to our community.. His report today was.... He had heard that a TV station in the baton rouge LA area has made a request for 100 female volunteers to help feed & rock the babies, and play with the small children.... We chatted about how we wish we were closer, and how as days go by the sadness and despair continues to mount....Not only in the victims of Katrina's path...But by all of us that are shocked, and saddened by the effects of the storm and the devistation it left behind.. We spoke of the basket and gift box drive the MOD has currently underway. But even participating in that I still felt there has to be something else I can do.. She told me a friend of hers was now working in LA gave me her number and said I should give her a call. That she would know if there was something else I could do..

I placed the call and found this woman to be a disaster relief coordinator in baton rouge working directly in Womans Hospital...I had a lengthy conversation with her today...She shared with me the emotion surrounding their hospital receiving these babies....How they were transported in....And the overwhelming emotion and now attachment the staff has for these babies.. We spoke of how many Preemies, Term Babies and Mothers they have admitted over the past week...The numbers was staggering.. I think about the amount of babies that was in the NICU when Jacob was there in our local hospital..There was 10-12 in each module, and that left not much room... So I can not imagine what their NICU rooms must be like for them there..Or what the staff must be going through..Not counting what the parents are going through....

And as I listened to her I could hear the compassion in this womans voice for all the women and babies there... She said she was honored to be apart of their care and to have them there.A very rewarding experience...She spoke of what a heartbreaking event this has been for these people... And that she was saddened for them and all they are enduring emotionally.... She said these women were not only tramatized by the hurricane, and the initial separation from their babies for a time... Because so many was transported without the parents.. But her heart breaks for them because not only with all of this..Many of these women have nothing...ANYTHING!!...

I explained to her I was a member of the share community with the MOD and have sent a couple gifts for the Mother's down through them and planned to send more... She said she was aware of the baskets, boxes..and they will be greatly appreciated by the Mothers.. She said the hospital was providing the necessary things that hospitals provide to a patient....But these would be so welcomed and such an awesome gift for the Mother's because it not only let these mothers know they are cared about by other mothers that have personally been through the NICU experience, but it will give them a sense of having things that belong to just them.. And not hospital items.. She said everything big or small sends a message of hope for them.. She also said they are in great need of preemie clothes, and blankets....

This woman as busy as she has to be was so calm, and caring I was so very impressed....You think about a hospital that has increased so drastically in patients, and a community nearly doubling in size that there would be some tension, or anxiety.. But she had NONE in her voice... She was so positive and upbeat.. She said they are working very hard continuing to create a very loving calm environment for all there..

I COMMEND THEM WITH ALL MY HEART!!!!!

Nancy I know you put a message about your Mother's blankets a few back and said anyone in need shoud put in a request.. Would I need to pass this information along to this coordinator...Or can I pass her information (her name and number) to you if this blanket project can help them out?.....

After speaking to her I printed the message that Judi put on earlier about more baskets needed, and took it to each person in my office... I went on and on about this cause and explained that even though they may have donated to the Red Cross they knew all our family endured with Jacob's NICU stay.. And try to imagine adding this tragedy to all that comes with the NICU... I was able to collect a fair amount of money today to be used for Baskets/Gift Bags..I do not know if I touched them or if they contributed to this to get me to be quiet and leave their office.. But either way it worked... Tomorrow I will be shopping and hopefully be able to send 15 more baskets/gift bags..I am sending these to the LA MOD location listed here...Since I am told that is where the majority of the babies have been sent.. I will continue to talk, and hopefully raise more funds to send to other locations that too are in need...

For those of you that know me..You know I have long winded posts...Well I do not just go on in posts..I actually have a T-Shirt I received as a gift a very long time ago that says "I am talking and I can't shut up"... HOPEFULLY THAT GIFT OF GAB WILL PROVE PRODUCTIVE IN THIS SITUATION!!!!!

Tabatha and I are shopping tomorrow and I will let you know what we were able to include in this batch.. AND HOW MANY.

God Bless each of you!!!!
Melody

PS: I ask her if there was any restaraunts located in or near the hospital in baton rouge she said there is a Subway very near the hospital.. Just in case anyone has thought of including food certificates in their baskets but did not know what restaraunts was available..

You are all amazing women! I am so proud to be associated with you all. More boxes are on the way and I sent an e-mail to everyone I could think of...it feels so good to do something, thank you for the opportunity!

Hugs to you all-
Jessica

I've never posted here before, so I hope this message is welcome! My son was born on 9/1/04 at 34 weeks, so I've lurked here often for information and stories.

Would it be a bad idea to pack the NICU care packages into inexpensive, small diaper bags? I've just called one of our local dollar stores and they do sell them. Would this make it easier for these new mommies and daddies to have a new diaper bag to carry their things in, rather than a box? Or is this a bad idea?

Thank you!
Dianne

Melody! You are awesome! You have been dear to my heart since your very first post....and your still are....what a treasure you are to SHARE.

Jessica and Kamie! Good job. I'll bet your gifts will bring huge smiles to the faces of these mothers.

Dianne....I think as long as the bags are small....that should be fine....they will have to carry them on their person...but I brought an overnight bag many times with me to the hospital on my way to or from overnight stays in town. Ask Judi! Judi knows everything! (Nancy knows a lot too )

Melissa

Thanks, Melissa.

Judi? Nancy? Any opinions or advice? I know the packages must be very small, due to lack of space, but I thought it might help to have something convenient to carry these things in - that a small diaper bag might be easier to carry around than a box - ??? And then the diaper bag also gives them something useful for beyond their hospital stay time - a tiny bit of something to help start over with.

Wise? Not wise? I plan to start putting some packages together today, so they can go out tomorrow morning, and I will - of course - send whatever is needed, in whatever form.

Dianne

I sent out emails to everyone I know.

The results? My mother in law sent my email to her entire school and church. Another friend sent this email out to their entire church too. I know a couple of sororities are making care packages as a community service projects.

So expect more carepackages!

Dianne, I think the diaper bag idea is great! I actually thought of doing that, too, but like you, was unsure if it would be appropriate. You have made a great point - not only will the bags come in handy now, but they'll be useful later on, too.

My packages went in the mail today. I am planning to continue to spread the word. Maybe we should all follow Melody's example and go on our own Cubicle Crusades!

Take care, everyone, and keep up the wonderful work!

Melanie

My mother in law has a good friend who is a manager at one of the local popular radio stations in Atlanta. They are going to list this information on their website!

Wow. Miss 2 days, miss a lot.

Great information propogated like wildfire! Love it!

By uniting with a common goal it also brings us (as a SHARE community but also as a nation) together and moving forward. One of the greatest causes of depression is a sense of hopelessness; that all is out of our control and we can do nothing to change it.

Sometimes, being a volunteer and helping out another person is just as much about *us* as it is *them*. By knowing that we can provide a few simple gestures for another person gives us hope that we can change things.

We can't control mother nature. We can't control broken levees, but we can control how we react to them.

We can take control of how we feel about the situation. When we have a goal it gives us purpose to continue making changes. No longer do we feel helpless, hopeless and out of control. So I recommend this as much for YOU as for the NICU family to take on just ONE basket. See how you feel when it's done. A little ray of sunshine starts to poke out behind the storm clouds. A little bit of hope that lives will return to normal shines through. Finally, a positive association can be found amid the wreck.

OK, so it may be a bit of a selfish twist on helping others. Humans are, by nature, programmed to take care of themselves, and keep themselves happy. But in this case... caring for others helps you take care of your emotional needs. It's a win-win situation. These parents so deperately need a sense of normalcy and a feeling of being taken care of during great need and we so desperately want to NOT feel powerless during a time of national disaster.

So, take this twist.... go help others. You'll be glad you did.