[Ansteorra] Katrina

[Gerita/Carolle Cox]

Once again, I am charmed by the generosity of people in the SCA, and
honored to be among you. 

I've worked in disasters as a trained volunteer.  Just a few words of
caution, please:

Right after a disaster, there is not enough food or water for the people
involved.  If someone does drive down there with a truckload of
donations, please, please, please, bring your own food and water.
Otherwise you become another 'disaster victim' that must be fed and
cared for by already stretched resources.

Donations "in kind" should probably be made through SCA channels.  The
Red Cross gets literally mountains of canned food, clothing, baby items,
and pet items.  Some of it is never used.

American Red Cross has taken some black eyes, but honestly their entire
peace-time purpose is serving the people involved in disasters such as
this.  They, too, need whatever pennies you can send their way to help
defray the enormous expense of bringing in dozens of trained people,
supporting them while they're there, maintaining the ERV s (emergency
response vehicles) and (where most of the money goes) opening shelters
for victims, caring for them, buying them needed prescriptions that were
left behind, etc.  It's a good cause at any time, but during a disaster,
it's a great one.

Just my two lira, 
Gerita del Mare

DFWchinlovers at yahoogroups.com
www.japanesechinrescue.org
http://carollesknitting.blogspot.com
 
People are like stained glass windows.  They sparkle and shine when the
sun is out, but when darkness sets in, their beauty is revealed only if
there is a light from within. -- Elizabeth Kübler-Ross