My friend from NOLA--FEMA doing nothing. IMPORTANT!

[Nikki Stone 1]

Just talked to my friend from Lacombe who is now staying in a motel in a small town near Baton Rouge, waiting to see if and when she will be able to return home. She is REALLY ticked off at the Feds and FEMA.

Things are happening very slowly--my friend says "ridiculously slowly". She adds, if you are hearing on the news that FEMA is really busting its butt to take care of everyone, that's NOT happening. The LOCAL people are the ones really helping--this includes small local churches, the local Red Cross, local restaurants, etc--all without much funding--are pooling their resources to help the hurricane victims. My friend says she has had a lesson in humanity from these local people.

Later tonight, she is going to sign up for emergency/disaster food stamps. These seem to be state funded--she says nothing federal has kicked in yet. Apparently the Feds haven't authorized any funding for anything. My friend says they are only funding the photo ops. She also says that everything she has gotten has all been locally donated. The town she is in can ill afford it. It is small, economically depressed, and neither the people nor its town government seem to have a lot of expendable income. But they are opening up their homes and welcoming the hurricane victims with open arms. Washington, of course, is AWOL. She says the Red Cross told her "They're having meetings." They were not happy about it.

My friend also says there are supposed to be vouchers (Red Cross or FEMA) that they are supposed to be getting. It's a national program, but nothing is happening. It's a matter of time. She doesn't know how much it is or when it will come to pass.

It might be helpful for my friend and other victims if everyone contacted their congressional reps and Senators and asked what the hold up is. We need to get Idiot Son and FEMA off their fat, privileged, stupid asses and get them moving.


Nikki

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. FEMA didn't do much last year in Florida either

We were completely on our own in my region. You can't expect them to figure out what to do now.

Beside the FEMA Freepers don't want to save or help anyone. They want all these people to die.

[txindy]

42. FEMA fulfilled their mission in Florida last year

They got photo-ops for the pResident and helped get him re-selected on Nov. 4th.

[Scout1071]

2. I'm starting to wonder where the f*ck the Red Cross money is going.

Not trying to start anyting, but it sure seems like the Red Cross has received hundreds of millions, if not billions already and they don't seem to be much more effective than FEMA at this point.

I'd love some info to the contrary.

[Nikki Stone 1]

4. My friend--on the phone now--says "This is true"

It's the LOCAL Red Cross that is helping everyone out. The National Red Cross doesn't seem to be anywhere at all.

[merwin]

6. The red cross isn't being let in for the most part.

[Nikki Stone 1]

7. Not into the city. But my friend is OUT of the city and they should be

around. At least the national RC should be releasing money to its local chapters.

[Debau2005]

11. Red Cross

The Red Cross never states that all the money raised goes to a disaster. They use the money, "as they see fit." If you watched the NBC telethon over the weekend you will notice that the Red Cross head did not say that the money WILL go to Katrina relief, she stated it would go to where it was needed.

Also remember that no matter how much blood you give to the Red Cross, when you need it, they will then charge you for it, no matter how much you have given in the past. I still give blood to them because I feel it is my duty as a human being to help others in need. So please don't think that I am saying don't give. Please give blood as often as you can!

The Salvation Army, on the other hand, does guarantee that all money raised in the name of a disaster goes to that disaster relief.

[Nikki Stone 1]

13. So basically, the RC uses disasters as fund raising vehicles

THEY CHARGE YOU FOR THE BLOOD????????

[Debau2005]

15. Yes...

They do not donate the blood to the hospital or clinic, they charge them, they then have to charge you. The mark up that the hospital charges you varies from one hospital to the other.

Because of what my family, in the medical profession, tell me about the RC, I now volunteer and donate only to the Salvation Army. I am not saying that the RC does not do good and needed work...far from it, they do wonderful things. However it does make me angry that they get on tv, do telethons and donation drives, but do not admit that 100% of the money will not be used for the disaster at hand.

[Nikki Stone 1]

16. I have a bunch a clothes I want to donate, It will be the Salvation Army

Thanks

My friend actually picked up a few things at the Salvation army including a pair of sneakers--hers came apart during the storm.

[Debau2005]

18. SA donations

I am currently volunteering at one of the SA shelters here. One thing that is needed, is baby items. Such as powdered formula, bottles, and nipples (I do not have a baby, so I did not know that some bottles did not come with nipples!!), diapers, bottle cleaning brushes, pacifiers, and baby spoons, baby wipes, etc.

We also like to have easily portable toys for the older kids, like playing cards, coloring books, and crayons.

[Danieljay]

21. thanks for what you do...

we at the Red Cross are partnering with the Salvation Army locally and are referring all in kind donations to you and weve been told the same thing. No more clothes unless they are "large" sizes. Toys and baby items are needed badly.

[Nikki Stone 1]

23. How large?

?

[Debau2005]

27. Supplies

As for diaper sizes, it does not matter, any size will be used. If it is not used in one shelter, they will be distributed to another shelter.

[Nikki Stone 1]

38. Sorry, I meant clothing sizes

You said they were only taking large clothing. I don't know what that means specifically. Are they talking a woman's size 10, 12, 16 or Lane Bryant sizes?

[Danieljay]

20. some of you would bitch if they hung you with a new rope...

The Red Cross isn't perfect. That being said, I wish I had a dollar for every effing myth I read here about the Red Cross. I WORK for the Red Cross and am completely tiring of reading myths that many people cant substantiate.

The fact of the matter is, some of the funds gathered go to train volunteers and support the programs that provide the relief. Is that going directly to the victims of Katrina? Well, technically you can say it isn't. That being said, next time your house burns down, you need housing assistance, you need shelter, or need to be fed...walk away and let someone else have your meal and blanket, I'm sure someone will appreciate it.

As for your blood, thank your lucky starts its the Red Cross and not some private corporation or big business. You think its expensive now?

I work for with a staff of 50 that is supported by over 1200 volunteers. Most of us are working 12-15 hour days working phone centers, training disaster responders, organizing volunteers, and setting up shelters here and away for the victims of this disaster. How much do you think that costs, even if its done by volunteers? You don't think that takes money? Who pays their meals, plane tickets, travel, training, etc? That money has to come from somewhere. It comes from the generous donations of the American people.

Note, we are a non profit, most on a non profit salary that barely supports a living. our extra efforts are not compensated except by the thank you's, personal stories, and self satisfaction we get from going beyond our call. Money wasted? I think not.

[Nikki Stone 1]

22. So what is happening with the Red Cross now? Why aren't they present?

??

[bamademo]

33. I volunteered for the RC twice this weekend. They put out a statement...

...saying FEMA would not allow them in to help immediately after the disaster because they were worried about their safety and they didn't want them setting up shelters because they didn't want people to stay.

RC is a good organization I think. Most of the money they are collecting is going directly to relief.

[Danieljay]

51. 80% goes directly to relief

The rest goes to support the relief efforts: Training, administration, ect...

[Danieljay]

49. we are...

we have already sheltered upwards around 100,000 and served nearly 1/4 million meals. Are we in NO? Nope. Ask FEMA about that. Don't blame us. If the government wont let us in, we cant go in.

[Debau2005]

26. RC and SA financials

Here is the link for last year's financial statement:
http://www.redcross.org/pubs/car04/CFS04.pdf. The general operating budget, exceeds the amount spent on disasters.

Here are the SA's financial:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf/vw-sublinks/B78688525477E95685256E39006D166A?openDocument

Please decide for yourself. I have been affiliated with both as a state social worker and now a volunteer, and prefer to give my donations to the SA.

[Debau2005]

28. Sorry...

We are all tired! I did not mean to bitch. I will watch my tone in the future. I think we are all sick of the finger pointing at the gov't level, we certainly do not need to do that to each other.

Please accept my sincere apology!

[stickdog]

29. The money YOU get isn't wasted, but what about the money

you DON'T get?

What local chapter to you belong to? Have there been any cuts in your local budget over the last 10 years? If so, what's your take on these budget cuts?

[merwin]

24. If you donate online, you can stipulate where it goes

[marbuc]

25. Yes, they do allow people to specify where donations go.

They have two relevant options: general diaster relief, and Hurricane Katrina.

[Nikki Stone 1]

30. When I called and donated, they gave me no choice--it went to diasters in

general.

[Danieljay]

52. here are your choices:

Hurricane Relief
National Disaster Relief Fund
Local Disaster Relief Fund
Use my gift where most needed

Its your choice.

[proud2BlibKansan]

35. The Red Cross also sends you a bill

if they help you in a tragedy.

[Danieljay]

53. complete myth

If you recieve a loan from the Red Cross, they ask you to pay it back. If you recieve relief....its free. Another myth.

[proud2BlibKansan]

62. Tell that to the people I know

who have received a bill for 'relief' from the Red Cross.

Didn't look like a myth to me.

[tyedyeto]

67. When my house burned down in 1991 and the Red Cross helped us

I never got a bill. NEVER. And I never received junk mail asking them for a donation. I did begin donating to them later on after we got back on our feet and continue to do so to this day.

[librechik]

32. yeeess, but as we learned during 911, Red Cross is a general fund

your personal dollar is put in a big account and they pay for everything--Katrina, Darfur, Indonesia, Ethiopia, out of it. Plus my impression is that Red Cross has been specifically thwarted by the feds from helping out without their permission. it's an international organization, (Swiss?) so they have to defer.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. The kids at my school have raised close to $2000 for hurricane victims

and considering 90% live at or below the poverty level, that is wonderful. Considering this is close to $10 per kid, it is very impressive.

I have requested that we send this money to the Salvation Army and not the Red Cross. And that is what the staff voted to do. It pays to be a political activist. One of my co-workers today said I would know which agency deserved the money :)

[Debau2005]

36. For your kids...

:yourock: :applause:
:yourock: :applause:
:yourock: :applause:
:yourock: :applause:
:yourock: :applause:
:yourock: :applause:

[Danieljay]

54. Great, the Red Cross is partnering with the Salvation Army in this...

[proud2BlibKansan]

60. The Salvation Army was there immediately after the storm

while the Red Cross waited to go in.

And many of our families have been helped by the Salvation Army.

[marbuc]

57. I will NEVER donate to the Salvation Army

They were leading the fight to exempt faith based organizations from equal opportunity protections.

[proud2BlibKansan]

61. So who do you donate to?

[marbuc]

66. In situations such as this I donate to the Red Cross

They may be bureaucratic, but on the whole they do good work. I also give to Goodwill, and several environmental groups, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Habitat for Humanity is a good group, but I have never contributed to them. I will in the future, especially as the rebuilding of NO gets into full swing.

[proud2BlibKansan]

68. The Red Cross still has not

gone into New Orleans.

[Tomee450]

56. I would never donate to the Red

Cross. There have been scandals associated with that organization. I seem to recall that there were questions about the way the RC handled donations to the families of the 911 families. I believe they did not keep the donations separate but added to their general fund.

[SeattleGirl]

3. FEMA is supposed to start handing out $2K debit cards today

But not sure where they're starting. And of course, for the people stuck in areas that are desimated or have little to offer, those cards might as well be cardBOARD. Not saying they won't mean something to the people who get them and can use them.

And by the way, I did call my senators and representative today, and had emailed them the other day. Hope your friend is okay.

[Nikki Stone 1]

5. Thanks! Is that 2K per person or per family?

My friend had no clue what the amount was or anything. She just heard that she was supposed to be getting something.

[Debau2005]

17. Visa cards

In Atlanta today, the relief agencies were handing out visa gift cards to the people in the shelters here. They showed on the news that one woman got $1250, so I am not sure if it is a standard rate or varies according to the circumstance.

Also, I am a former social worker, have your friends apply for assistance, such as food stamps, as soon as possible. In an emergency, the food stamp rules are relaxed, and the application process is minimal. Also get them going on Unemployment Comp. They might also want to reapply for a social security card as soon as they can, if they lost theirs. The number used to be 800-772-1215. Or www.ssa.gov.

[Nikki Stone 1]

19. THANK YOU!

I will tell her.

[elehhhhna]

9. They announced this AM @ Astrodome it'll be 7 to 10 days.

[Nikki Stone 1]

12. My friend says, "That's not fucking fast enough!"

Even to get local aid, you have to travel to different places--the Salvation Army, Red Cross, food stamps, etc. Some of these places are 15 miles away. Clearly people need GAS to get around and money to buy it.

My friend is fortunate in that we are helping her right now. She would be stuck without her friends who send money via Western Union. YEs, Western Union is doing a booming business right now.

[Debau2005]

39. Have your friend...

Contact some group like Travelers Aid. Or call one of the LARGE shelters in the area. Here in Atlanta, the shelters are trying to organize into a one stop shop. I don't know how other cities are working. They might also call the Foodstamp and Unemployment offices, they are probably out in the community taking applications.

I hate that everything is so disorganized. This country needs some sort of clearing house to organize everything into a one stop application process!

[Nikki Stone 1]

43. Traveler's Aid? Thank you

We've been trying to get her help

[Debau2005]

44. They were on the news in Atlanta helping people.

Here is there site:

http://www.travelersaid.org/

[Nikki Stone 1]

46. Thanks! Am pulling up the site now.

....

[Nikki Stone 1]

47. Here is their Katrina page directly---interesting.

http://www.travelersaid.org/housing.html

[Debau2005]

41. Don't know if these will help you...

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=3800522

http://www.reliefportal.com/site.php


"added this on edit."
Debit Cards Being Given to Victims
Sep 7, 2005, 04:21 PM


WASHINGTON (AP) - The federal government will hand out 2,000-dollar debit cards -- one per household -- to some Hurricane Katrina victims.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan says the cards will offer immediate cash assistance to those who are in shelters.

Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Ed Conley in Houston says not everyone will qualify. Conley says, for example, some families have insurance that is paying their living expenses while they're displaced.

FEMA is setting up registration centers in shelters in Houston and Dallas, where refugees can apply for the cards. FEMA is working to set up similar registration centers in other shelters across the country.

Refugees can also get the debit cards by calling 1-800-621-FEMA or going to the agency's web site at: www.fema.gov.

[Nikki Stone 1]

45. Registration in Texas?? Contact FEMA on the net?

Unless you have friends, you're SOL if you are still in Louisiana.

[Debau2005]

48. Just a thought.

If they are giving out the cards in Atlanta today, you would think that Baton Rouge would be doing the same. Their numbers of people from the hurricane far exceed the ones we have gotten so far!

[lostnfound]

64. I would bet $2000 that most of those will go by bucketful to GOP hacks.

Any chance they will document it properly? NO way in hell.

[elehhhhna]

8. FEMA's almost absent at the Astrodome, too, per local news TV.

[Nikki Stone 1]

10. My friend says "There ya go!"

"If they're absent at the astrodome then no wonder they're not here!"

My friend says it's the LOCAL people who are busting their asses, looking as if they had no sleep, helping as many people as they can.

[Nikki Stone 1]

14. Thanks to all who recommended this thread!

This is really important stuff.

[Warren DeMontague]

31. I hear they've got the "Pro-FEMA" propaganda flyer distribution thing

covered. And they seem to have the self-congratulatory news conference situation under control.

[Nikki Stone 1]

37. Whew! Those things are mighty important!

:sarcasm:

[Raster]

40. bushco has gutted FEMA and taken its resources to fund its dirty war

and its collaborators. bushco* ARE THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.

[seabeyond]

50. i sent this email this morning to my reps and dem reps.

i have been saying all day on this board, many threads



"Bush administration still is NOT handling this crisis. it is the state govt's that have taken over, and the american people and the charities. Bush still is non effective. FEMA is still a hindrance. every republican i know is disgusted with this administration and their ability to produce. they are counting the deaths bush has been responsible for. 3000 for 9/11, 2000 in iraq......how many thousand here. not to mention iraqi innocents

the number is high.

this isnt about bush being responsible for the hurricane, or the strength of the hurricane or any other republican talking point; this is about middle of the second week and still bush isnt taking care of these fellow tax payers.

i know i cannot trust my govt to help me."

[rustydad]

55. FEMA is....

...a funding agency. They write checks from the Fed treasury. They DO NOT orchestrate huge actions to immediate situations of disaster. Never have. Usually it takes months or years to get their involvement and money. They simply are not and never have been a quick reaction force dealing with anything. the Forest Service Fire Management is a quick reaction agency. They can be up and running with thousands of people and support in 24 hours, all pre-planned. Everything is there, contractors for support, airplanes for transport, base-camp areas, logistics, FEMA has none of this. They write checks. They are bullshit. Bob

[Nikki Stone 1]

58. How do you figure?

I thought they had the authority to declare martial law and all that....;)

[magellan]

63. According to their website that's their mission.

Homeland Security Prepping for Dangerous Hurricane Katrina / Residents in path of storm "Must take action now" - Release Date: (Sunday) August 28, 2005

On Saturday, President Bush has declared an emergency for the states of Louisiana and Mississippi opening up FEMA’s ability to move into the state and assist the state and local governments with mobilizing resources and preparations to save lives and property from the impact of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA is moving supplies of generators, water, ice and food into the region for immediate deployment once the storm passes. FEMA’s Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) and Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMATs) are also staged for immediate response anywhere in the region. The funding and direct federal assistance will assist law enforcement with evacuations, establishing shelters and other emergency protective measures.

FEMA has deployed USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) teams from Tennessee, Missouri and Texas to stage in Shreveport, LA.. USAR teams from Indiana and Ohio are staged in Meridian, MS. Two teams each from Florida and Virginia and one team from Maryland are on alert at their home stations.

A total of 18 DMATs have been deployed to staging areas in Houston, Anniston and Memphis. There are 9 full DMATs (35 members per team) and 9 strike teams (5 members per team) in these staging areas.

Both Mississippi and Louisiana have mandatory evacuation orders in place for some areas. National Guard troops have been deployed to
assist law enforcement in evacuations.

One really has to wonder what they were doing for 4 days....

[markus]

59. The Red Cross Sucks

The Salvation Army Rules.

This from my family from their experience with Hurricane Camille.

If you're given money to the Red Cross, demand it back and give it to somebody else.

To paraphrase my sister, if you want to walk three miles barefoot through broken glass for a blanket and a cup of soup, the Red Cross is your outfit.

If you want to walk across the street for housing, food, clothes, cleaning supplies for our house, etc., you want the Salvation Army.

[Spike from MN]

65. I was going to donate to the RC but that changed last Friday.

I happened to pull in behind a Red Cross van at the gas station and, as luck would have it, the driver approached the van just as I was walking by it. I asked why we didn't see the RC on NO and he said they weren't being allowed in because it was "too dangerous." I said something to the effect that there must be some way to work around that and he said he had been down there before, he knew what kind of people he would be dealing with and that "those people" were dangerous. Oh yeah. "Those people." It wasn't the flooding or anything else that presented a danger. It was "those people." At that point I decided the Red Cross wasn't going to be getting my money.