"anything else to lift peoples spirits"

[shugah]

i'm getting ready to send some packages to the VFP in covington LA - several of the items on the request list - sterile gloves, baby wipes, school supplies, plates and papertowels, some TP, feminine hygiene products etc, also some books for kids and adult of various genres - but the MM email also mentioned "anything else to lift peoples spirits."

does anyone know if there are numerous kids there? i have multitudes of kids stuff - for instance a bunch of heroclix, anime magazines, trains and tracks ... i don't want to send anything that would be considered frivilous, but i imagine the kids get bored, and there are so many items that i could send that don't require electricity for them to play with, that aren't too terribly "lame." i know that the school disruption is serious, but i also imagine there will be a point where all crave some hints of normalcy - i just don't know for sure when that point will come for a tragedy of this magnitude.

i also do not want to contribute to any inconvenience for the wonderful volunteers that are doing such a wonderful thing to help.

so - should i send the toys and what-not now or send them later? basics first, and the rest later? what do you think?

[txindy]

1. Personally, I'd go ahead and send them

They aren't bulky and they will definitely help kids get a bit of their childhood back. They need to play. I think it's a great idea! Helping the kids will also definitely help the adults who care for them - a twofer! :hug:

[shugah]

2. i wonder if anyone knows how many kids and babies?

they are asking specifically for diapers and other baby necessities - i picked some up at the store today to send tomorrow. i mean, i figure if they ask specifically they have a specific need.

but, if there are babies there, it follows that it is families and the psychological, emotional, and mental needs, while surely on the agenda are probably less likely to end up on the "we desparately need ___" list. and understandably so! i can't imagine having no diapers for my baby - it must be terrible. in addition to the diapers i picked up today, i also got some diaper rash ointment, because i know that if diapers can't get changed as often as they need to, especially in the heat, well, it can get pretty bad.

that little light bulb - they are asking for the most basic and pressing items, and not necessarily asking for the (logical, in times of no stress) basic follow up. NEED DIAPERS! all the mom's there will also be glad of some rash ointment.

so, based on that thought - i did pack up the items of more "entertainment, distraction from boredom/horror/reality, play" type items to send on tomorrow. along with the diapers, diaper rash ointment, TP, and more school supplies.

what i want to do (same as everyone else, i guess) is to hug everyone who has been devestated by this tragedy and find a way to bring them home ...

since i cannot do that, i am so glad that the VFP is there in covington, and i am able to know that the contributions i am making are going directly to those who need it. i've sent as much monetary contribution as i can to several charities, and will send more when i can, but i really appreciate the opportunity to make a contribution that i know will go directly to the people that need it most.

[txindy]

3. And the mothers of babies may also have some older children

Making those mothers very, very happy for the distraction and sheer fun value of the play items you're sending. It'll make the kids happy and give those poor mothers a much-needed break.

You're doing a great thing. :hug:

[shugah]

4. nothing great

great would have been saving some people. great would have been being able to save some people. great would have been making everyone do all they could to save everyone that could be saved.

our pain is the "aftermath." i will do all i can, but will be left feeling that surely i could have done more?

[txindy]

5. Look, it would've been marvelous to do those things

But don't undervalue the ability to make a difference in their lives, now. They've been traumatized. They need the distractions, not just the necessities. Little things mean a lot. Little things make a life worth living. Little things make a stressed mother a bit less harried, if only for a brief time.