Katrina Refugees Will Go to Astrodome

[WestHoustonDem]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/katrina_astrodome;_ylt=AqdlQSK.52VKV.UpfnYggLWs0NUE

Gather up your discarded clothes, and anything else they may be able to use. They will need our help.

[RobertSeattle]

1. Hey... that's pretty close to Crawford...

...There an unused and useless 2 Square Mile ex Pig Farm that could be used as a refugee camp...

[GOPisEvil]

3. Um...not really.

It's at least another 5 hours by car. Nice thought though. However, the Astrodome has a/c - the pig farm doesn't.

[RobertSeattle]

5. 202 Miles... You are right

But by air...

[PDittie]

7. We made it there on Saturday in 3 hrs

and we only got lost once, or else we would've been there in 2 1/2.

Return trip was flawless.

[Avalux]

2. Why there???

Seems a bit odd. Yes - clothes will be needed; time for us Texans to lend a hand.

[pop goes the weasel]

4. logical

It will be easier for any conventions to reschedule than it will be to find alternate accomodations for tens of thousands of people. And they will now have a chance to re-establish normal lives. Being in Houston will put people near working phones, possible jobs, transportation, real housing. It will be hard on Houstonians to take in such a sudden influx, but I imagine that most of the refugees will begin to fan out across Texas or move to live with relatives elsewhere within a couple of weeks.

[WestHoustonDem]

6. More info

onations are being handled through the Salvation Army (http://www.salvationarmyhouston.org/) or call [phone]. To volunteer to help at the Dome, call the Red Cross at [phone].

[Lisa0825]

8. Info from Storm2K

Just heard it on 700 KSEV radio. They're asking for volunteers to help get the Dome ready to receive people when they get here sometime this evening. If Houston area folk can help, sign up through the Harris County Citizen Corps.

http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com/

[ihaveaquestion]

11. Sign up not working... Here's their message calling for volunteers...

Posted on the Southwest UU Conference website...

http://www.swuuc.org/hurricane-astrodome.html

"Hurricane Katrina -- Harris County

Just in:
http://www.harriscountycitizencorps.com /

From County Judge Robert Eckels:

Harris County Citizen Corps Members,
Today we are going to help those who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina who are currently located in the Super Dome in New Orleans. Up to 25,000 citizens are going to be relocated to the Astro Dome. We need your help. We are requesting volunteers to assist in setting up the dome with cots and other basic necessities. This needs to be completed by 1700 or 5pm CST. We need for you to forward to anyone who can help through your businesses, churches, and organizations. We will also need volunteers to assist in the documentation and check in of all who arrive. CERT Teams will be needed to assist citizens from the buses to the check in locations. Logistical information with locations and staging areas will be sent out shortly. Please respond to this e-mail and let us know how many people you have that can assist, include time frames, as this will be a 24/7 operation.

This task is unprecedented and can be completed with the support of our citizens.
Thank you for your continued support,
Harris County Judge Robert Eckels
Chairman Harris County Citizen Corps "

The Harris County Citizen Corps website itself seems to be having problems, but the contact link has this email address on it - [e-mail] .

-Sharon

[CitySky]

9. Houston Food Bank will also be providing help

See Babylonsister's thread for where to drop off donations on Friday.

[WolverineDG]

10. if they need live bodies to help out

let me know. i will look into getting a bus ticket out there (plane tix are almost EIGHT HUNDRED DOLLARS, so f that!!!!), but will need a ride to/from the bus station. might also be handy to have a place to sleep, but will worry about that later.

dg

[ihaveaquestion]

12. See my previous posting...

[WestHoustonDem]

13. You can also sign up here and it's working

http://www.volunteerhouston.org/