Hurricane Katrina Prayers and Action

Kammie, there is now a topic here in the "Get Involved" area.

Hello all, thank you for your patience while we help the chapter office assess the situation and need and determine how we can assist.

From what we understand from the staff in Louisiana many babies from New Orleans NICU have been transported to Baton Rouge Women and Children's Hospital. In addition, all women in the area who are 34 weeks pregnant or more have been told to go to the hospitalas shelter, not to a regular shelter. These women likely will stay in the hospital until ddelivery.

You are right about the need for clothing...the need is in the NICU, the PICU, for siblings and for maternity clothes. We are coordinating with our corporate sponsors RIGHT NOW to have clothing sent overnight to our chapter office for distribution to the hospital. We expect to send TODAY hundreds of clothes for babies and moms. We also have a donation, just made from two of our vendors of hundreds of plush toys for siblings.

We are also distributing information for pregnant women in the areas hit with tips on avoiding health tips and recognizing the signs and symptoms of preterm labor.

Of course, your help is needed because you know what will help each family. HERE IS WHAT YOU COULD DO:

Make a basket geared to a family (or a mother and NICU baby) with items that meet a variety of needs: preemie clothes (onesies, hats, socks), hand sanitizer, beauty/bath items for mom, items for siblings (if you want), notebook or journal and pen for parent, bottle of water for parent, etc. Give what you believe would be helpful and package the items together so they can be handed to a mom or dad. Include a note letting them know how much you care!

Send your box to:

Capi Landrineau
Director of Program Services
March of Dimes Lousianna State Chapter
12015 Justice Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Baskets like this would be GREAT because they come from you and you know what famileis might need!

Please consider:

Families have little space (most are not in their homes) so send small items you think are important for them to have.

Sending to our chapter office helps us makes sure hosptial families get your pacakges! The hospital might receive many unmarked, unidentifiable boxes whose contents are never delivered to families.

BUT our office space in Baton Rouge is limited...and we want to be careful not to collect more donations than needed. at any one time. We will keep you posted on the need, but for now please don't urge others to send baskets!

The need may continue for the near future, so we'll definitely keep you posted.

Disasters like this often sadly have long-term implications for mothers and babies. We are already considering projects in the fall to serve families after the emergency response is complete. I'll tell you more about those as they are developed. In addition, the NICU in Baton Rouge may need additional March of Dimes help for some time and we will let you know ways you can support that.

Thank you for being there for these families, for continuing to think of them, and for your support of them.

Just wanted you to know the following:

1) March of Dimes NICU Family Support packages are being sent overnight for NICU families. These will be distributed by our program person in Baton Rouge who will be volunteering in the NICU this weekend.
2) Gymboree is sending hundreds of outfits, preemie through toddler for NICU, PICU, siblings and families being discharged.
3) Motherhood Maternity is doing the same for maternity clothes for pregnant women at the hospital in Baton Rouge and in the shelters. (There are some special shelters for pregnant women and moms with young children, and also some places set aside in the larger shelters.)
4) March of Dimes is getting health messages out to the media and the public for pregnant women and young families.
5) YOU are sending special care packages for NICU families -- remember to send to the chapter office so we can be sure your gifts are delivered to NICU families.

Thank you!!

I wanted to post a link to Robbin's blog and what her young daughter suggested... helps me realize that we all have a lot of power to help if we get creative.

Judi, is there a way to give cash donations for the NICU/Katrina work? (I worry about baskets piling up logistically). Let me know. I will blog about it on my personal blog as well. Today is a marathon blogging effort for Katrina relief.

Another thought...What about Long Distance Calling cards? Disposable cameras? Travel size hygeine items? Gifts cards to WalMart, Target or KMart? Postage stamps?

Just a thought!

Thank you, Judi!! SHARE can make a difference for these parents in a personal way!!

Thank you corporate sponsors for stepping up and helping out!! God Bless You all!!

Hugs!
Michele

Judi! Thank you *so* *so* much. I am working on getting boxes together today. I'll drop them off this weekend in Shreveport...and hopefully, you all will get them ASAP. I knew I was hanging on to those preemie/newborn clothes for a reason!

Also...I added this post to my blog about Katrina...just in case someone misses this...and sees what I said...hopefully, in a smally way...I can help with this *hugely* important effort. I know *so* many parents will *very* much want to!

Hugs and A *HUGE* thumbs up!

Melissa

here is the link to Melissa's blog post.

Going to work on packages to send to the LA MOD tomorrow! Thanks so much for this information. Do they need sibling clothing, too or does Gymboree have that covered? I want to make sure I send the right things, I want to be helpful and not create lack of space or further burden the LA office.

Since I imagine they are terribly busy... I will ask here. I can send clothes sizes 12m - 5T, if they are needed. I have already donated all Logan's baby items.

These are my thoughts:
bottles
blankets
personal care items for mothers/fathers: toothbrushes/paste, deordorant, shampoo/cond, soap, lotion, antibac products, pony tail holders
clothes for baby/mom
water bottles

Also, I am very carefully making mental notes of those compassionate corporate sponsors. I will make sure my future shopping reflects this. Motherhood and Gymboree are already big favorites of mine. Corporate sponsors of MOD like Kmart and Famous Footwear often get my business. If any of those Corporate Sponsers ever get around to reading this; thank you for your compassion. Your customers are taking note.

This is a side bar - Nancy feel free and edit this if inappropriate. Many of you know that we are a homeschool family. We are collecting educational materials (books and school supplies) for homeschool families who lost their homes along the coast. I do NOT want to distract or take away from helping the NICU babies and mothers. However, if some of you feel inclined to offer additional help and want a concrete way to do so, you can email me OFFLINE about how your unused books can help coastal families who lost their children's school books.

I haven't watched this much TV since 9/11 and the Tsunami. I can't stand what I see yet I can't pull myself away. It breaks my heart.

Darcy

My prayers go out to all these families whose lives have been thrown into turmoil because of Katrina. I know that anything we do will help someone, so Thanks MOD for acting so quickly to help these babies and their parents.

I will send my package as well. Judi, Nancy and MOD you are the best!

Please let us know what other great ideas we can do locally.....I think the educational perspective is very important, so feel free to share any book fundraising for those children who are homeschooled my way as well.

Marcie, I am so very happy that you are safe! Prayers your way for all!

Hugs,
Brenda & Benjamin

My heart and prayers go out to those along the gulf coast whose lives will never be the same again.

jennifer

Thank you ALL for your incredible response to this effort to give some help to moms and babies in Baton Rouge.

A couple of responses to your postings:

1) Please keep your packages SMALL and geared to one family at a time at this point. We need to be able to hand the package you send directly to one NICU family, any family, WITHOUT sorting and determining who needs what. THIS WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL.

2) Gymboree is overnighting children's clothes today and preemie/infant clothes tomorrow. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHILDREN'S CLOTHING TO THE MARCH OF DIMES. Red Cross and other relief agencies are more prepared to receive and distribute clothing, so please if you have clothing to donate, contact the Red Cross. If you want to put small preemie items (hats, socks, onesies) in your baskets that would be fine.

3) Small, useful items for parents and babies in NICU (your ideas for cameras, personal care items, calling cards, etc. are GREAT). Hand sanitizer would be great. PLEASE ONLY NEW ITEMS.

I know you are looking for a way to donate money to the March of Dimes for these efforts. We are looking into this, but because we are not relief agency, we are not set up to collect and disburse funds in this way. We'll let you know if we can set things up for you to target donations.

IF YOU WANT TO DONATE SPECIFICALLY TO RELIEF EFFORTS, we encourage you to give to the American Red Cross or one of the other relief agencies.

Thank you!

Chrissy is helping me make baskets this evening. We're including:

onesies
baby socks
small hand sanitizer
deodriant
small hair brush (for mom)
face wipes (for mom and dad)
disposible camera
coloring book & crayons (for siblings)
notebook and pen for the parents
prepaid phone card
bottled water
and a loving note from us

Finally something Chrissy and I can do for these families. I was really feeling helpless about this until now.

Love to all,
Robbin
Will's mom (32 weeker)

Thank you ALL for your incredible response to this effort to give some help to moms and babies in Baton Rouge.

A couple of responses to your postings:

1) Please keep your packages SMALL and geared to one family at a time at this point. We need to be able to hand the package you send directly to one NICU family, any family, WITHOUT sorting and determining who needs what. THIS WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL.

2) Gymboree is overnighting children's clothes today and preemie/infant clothes tomorrow. PLEASE DO NOT SEND CHILDREN'S CLOTHING TO THE MARCH OF DIMES. Red Cross and other relief agencies are more prepared to receive and distribute clothing, so please if you have clothing to donate, contact the Red Cross. If you want to put small preemie items (hats, socks, onesies) in your baskets that would be fine.

3) Small, useful items for parents and babies in NICU (your ideas for cameras, personal care items, calling cards, etc. are GREAT). Hand sanitizer would be great. PLEASE ONLY NEW ITEMS.

I know you are looking for a way to donate money to the March of Dimes for these efforts. We are looking into this, but because we are not relief agency, we are not set up to collect and disburse funds in this way. We'll let you know if we can set things up for you to target donations.

IF YOU WANT TO DONATE SPECIFICALLY TO RELIEF EFFORTS, we encourage you to give to the American Red Cross or one of the other relief agencies.

Thank you!

Judi,

I've got small plastic pencil boxes to carry adult care items in....and small baby/kid items too.

I'll drop off baby clothes...baby food...diapers...etc. at Red Cross....

Thank for giving us much needed direction in this...so many people *want* to help...they just do not know how....until NOW!

Thanks!

Melissa

Thank you for giving us a way to help! I'll be working on a basket ASAP!

I just wanted you to update you on a few things for Louisiana and Mississippi.

Baton Rouge is starting to receive the donations from Motherhood Maternity and Gymboree and will continue in a couple more shipments.

We are now trying to also arrange maternity and newborn/infant clothes for Mississippi (Jackson) which has received many evacuees as well. Their need for NICU families is not a great because there are fewer babies that were sent to the hospitals there.

Our chapter in Baton Rouge is thrilled about the packages you are sending and excited to deliver them to the families at the NICU. A shelter has been established at a church neighboring the hospital -- that's where NICU families and being sheltered. Pregnant women are also going there.

We are also trying to help meet a great need for diapers, wipes and formula for other children. We're in touch with some of our corporate partners and others to see if we can help arrange donations.

One of our NICU Family Support partners, Children's Medical Ventures/Respironics is providing hundreds of premmie diapers for the NICU itself! They are awesome!

Our Texas chapter is aiding families arriving in Houston and Dallas. They were not hit by the storm itself and so are in good shape to help families and meet needs. If they need more help from us, we'll let you know.

Keep those baskets going into Louisiana -- we'll let you know if they are not needed!

For those of you wanting to donate: You can donate directly to the Louisiana or Mississippi chapter from the March of Dimes home page at www.marchofdimes.com -- you'll get the the chapter home and click "donate now." Although you cannot specify your gift for the relief efforts, both chapters are spending all their time, effort and funds on that helping families from the Hurricane. On Tuesday, we are going to have a way for you to donate to the NICU Family Support project at the hospital in Baton Rouge, but technically can't do it yet.

Okay... I'm going home now to get my NICU family baskets together for Baton Rouge. You're all my inspiration!

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