Is anyone organizing clothes drives or anything like that in Boston?

[mom cat]

[Ian David]

1. I'll be available to help with stuff like that starting on Wednesday

If I donate enough of my clothes, then my wife will finally have the closet space she needs, anyway.

[TayTay]

2. The Globe said that a possible 2,000 souls could be coming

They will need the basics incluiding some warm coats and things for the coming fall/winter. (It's going to be a long stay.)

I will keep looking for news about collection points for this stuff and let you know what I find out. I have about 5 or 6 winter coats in good/great condition that I can donate. (I have six brothers with family in the area. I know I can get a lot more warm clothing in good condition donated. NE Winter is going to be a shock for folks coming in from a warmer climate like Gulfport, so I am thinking about this for the long haul.)

Who is going to be running the relief center? That idiot Romney? Mayor Menino? Again, I will be watching this to see if I can volunteer to go where needed. (Hell, even if it's just to hand out water, read a story to kids or help organize a kitchen. Anything.)

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

3. I just heard that 2000 evacuees were coming

to Edwards AFB. I am in New Haven CT and would like to collect winter clothes, blankets etc and bring them up there. Please keep us posted on collection efforts for MA

[Breeze54]

4. More like 2500 are coming to MA tomorrow!

(9/5/05 12:20 p.m.) http://www.boston.com/news/necn/
The state of Massachusetts is preparing for the arrival
of thousands of Gulf Coast evacuees.
At the "Annual Labor Day Breakfast" in Boston,
Mayor Menino talked about the upcoming influx of
new residents.
NECN's Latoyia Edwards has more.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/09/05/cape_cods_camp_edwards_prepares_for_influx_of_katrina_refugees/
Cape Cod's Camp Edwards prepares for influx of Katrina refugees
September 5, 2005

BOURNE, Mass. --
Camp Edwards on Cape Cod is in an unprecedented state of
transition this week.
Just as more than 500 Massachusetts National Guard troops
depart the nearby Otis Air National Guard Base to help with
Hurricane Katrina relief efforts,
about 2,500 refugees from the Gulf Coast are about to take
their place at Camp Edwards.

Military officials are calling them "guests," not evacuees
or refugees,
and promise to make them feel as welcome as possible at what
could be their home for many months.

"We want to make sure our guests are as comfortable and
as dignified as possible," Lt. Col. Paul Greg Smith told
reporters during a tour of facilities that will soon house
the visitors.
"Guests are what they are ...
and we're going to treat them like guests."

"Curtains are being added to windows for privacy,
and thin mattresses are being replaced with more
comfortable ones.
Each floor features a lounge area equipped with a television,
water cooler, chairs, tables and love seats.

An onsite commercial theater now showing the films
"Wedding Crashers" and "The Bad News Bears" offers
additional diversions.
There's also a pool, nine-hole golf course,
gymnasium and a bowling alley.
Shuttle buses will be available for trips away
from Camp Edwards.

There's also a child care center, activities area,
a phone bank and a connivence store.

MORE at LINK!

RIGHT ON!!!

WHAT THEY NEED!!

CLOTHES! BOOKS! TV's! RADIO'S! SPORTS EQUIPMENT!
SOCCER BALLS,Basketballs,BASEBALL equipment!
TOYS! PUZZLES! KID's stufff!
Letter writing supplies!
Computers!
PHONES and PHONE CARDS!
Baby equipment! Potty chair's, baby seat's! High Chair's!
Baby blanket's!
Clothes for WINTER!
WARM COATS!!
HAT'S, MITTENS. GLOVES, SCARF'S, BOOTS!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. Thanks !

The accomodations sound good. Please keep us updated on collection areas for items they will need. I brought a few things to Hartford CT Armory today and stayed a couple of hours to help unload and sort donations that will be trucked down to Gulf Coast. I will go thru winter clothes and get them ready to donate.

[Ian David]

6. I would rather move them to a swing-state, but they're welcome here

It's time for me to start emptying my closets anyway.

We were going to have a garage sale, but now I guess I'll just be giving the stuff away.