In spite of all the bad news out of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, there is still a light of hope that shines when I hear the good things that are happenining. There are dozens of stories, which Michele has been posting about all week long.
These three examples warm my heart. These people are dear to me and their selflessness is an inspiration.
My best friend's brother-in-law has gone to Mississippi to help with the destruction.
Val helped a reader's father move after he lost his home after the hurricane.
And I received this email last night from one of my dearest friends:
HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF
September 1, 2005
Hurricane Katrina has devastated Mississippi & Alabama, but it has changed New Orleans forever. Watching the news coverage, seeing photographs of what once was a great city has been a bit hard to swallow. If you have every been to New Orleans, whether it be for Mardi Gras, New Years or just simply visiting, you are sure to remember New Orleans as a festive and lively city filled with great music, food & ambiance. All of that is now gone. All that we are left with are great memories of the city that once was. My husband & I remember sitting in the corner of St. Ann Street and Decatur, across from Jackson Square at a little quaint coffee shop called Café Du Monde, eating those delicious beignets and sipping on hot chocolate (because it was 17 degree weather outside). We remember sitting in the Superdome watching the University of Miami play in the Sugar Bowl and thinking how amazing that dome was (they actually had fireworks inside of a closed dome!) We also remember celebrating our win at Pat O’Brien’s and having his famous “Hurricanes”. All of it is completely gone!
It is why we have such strong, fond memories of the city that we want to help in the relief efforts by any means possible. With that said, we are proposing the following:
For every $ donated the Chit Chat Cellular Family with double it and send the relief funds to the American Red Cross and Neighbors for Neighbors. We need to pull together and help these people! Please donate whatever money you can. We know that prices for gas has gone up, we know that the cost of living has gone up, but these poor people have nothing, they have no home, no water, no food, no place to sleep and what is worse, nobody is helping them. We can!
If you want to help, send us a check or money order made out to:
Chit Chat Cellular
And mail it to:
Chit Chat Cellular Corp
c/o Hurricane Katrina Relief
15327 S. Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33157
If you wish to donate cash, you can come in person to our store located at the address listed above. Unfortunately, the American Red Cross is not taking any other forms of donation, so please do not bring supplies or clothing, they are only seeking funds for the time being. Please pass this on to anyone you know might want to help.
Thank you for your cooperation and God Bless!
Sincerely,
Martin & Vivian Bech &
Chit Chat Cellular Family
15327 S. Dixie Hwy
Miami, FL 33157
Thanks, guys, for your willingness to give those who've lost so much a little bit of their lives back.
We can complain all day long, but at least we have some thing to complain about: the car that needs expesive gas, the roof over our heads that's paid for by that costly mortgage, the A/C that's causing that high electricity bill...the Gulf Coast has lost all these things and more. Even if it's just $5.00, please donate. Every bit helps.
Posted by Amanda at September 2, 2005 10:05 AM