Hurricane Katrina: How You Can Help

You all are a generous bunch. The Deep South thanks you! The need here is great, so I don't think you could possibly give too much, at least for the next month.

We are in an excellent area as far as being able to distribute items. I have already contacted several churches, several homeschool groups and a private school about distributing items. We are able to get items into the hands of refugees spanning from the Florida Panhandle, along the entire Alabama Gulf Coast, and into Mississippi. My husband cannot return to his job since the building was flooded by the hurricane, so he and I both are available to coordinate the distribution of donations.

Since many of you have asked...At this point, we would not be able to receive a semi truck since items are being delivered to our home. We prefer that you send boxes via any mailing system. With a semi, we would have a storage problem until we could distribute items, which would take days in that case. With boxes, we can daily get them into the hands of volunteers.

If you send money to my little grass roots organization (I call it Pocket Change for Katrina), it will go 100% to the victims of the hurricane. We aren't even pulling out gas money, unless someone has specified that. I started this Pocket Change for Katrina because there are financial needs that are not addresed by the charities, and because when I give, I like to know that 100% goes to the victims, not into someone's padded salary. With your money, we are paying for several things:

* Gas money for evacuees to travel to distant relatives, as we see the need (this is a great need, as most lost jobs and/or paychecks are not being distributed).

* Tire care, Fix A Flat, and gas for stranded motorists in the hurricane-affected areas (we had 5 flat tires in just one week after Hurricane Ivan last year, and were stranded 50 miles from home at one point, so we know this need intimately)

* Fast food/grocery food for evacuees as they travel, as we see the need

* Adopting families (as many as we have the money for) at local shelters and giving them $50 WalMart shopping cards and $20-30 gas cards, so they can get a head start (at this point, the Red Cross is focusing only on shelter, food and water, so this is a great need)

To send money, click on the Donate button above. You may also send a check to our address, below.

The donated items we need are based on our personal experience during other hurricanes. Right now, the evacuees and refugees are receiving only shelter, food and water from organizations. Here is what is needed:

* Bibles: I'm certain that few of the refugees left with a Bible in their hands, and they certainly won't get any from FEMA! :)

* toiletry items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, deoderant, combs, brushes, scrunchies, makeup, etc.

* baby items: lotion, baby bath, baby shampoo, formula, diapers, wet wipes, etc.

* cleaning items: whatever is shippable like wipes and some cleaners

* non-perishable foods: They are provided water and meals-ready-to-eat, but these people are not given some of the "comfort foods" that we Americans love so much, like crackers and cookies, dried fruit, small cereal boxes, chips and hard candy.

* children's toys: The children are bored in the shelters. They had to leave favorite toys at home. They could use stuffed animals, small toys, games, coloring books, etc.

* clothing: All types of gently-used or new clothing are needed

Address information:

Tim and Lori Seaborg
18930 Highland Drive
Fairhope, AL 36532

Thank you for being willing to help! We feel so blessed to be in a location where we are able to hand the money and items out to those who need it most.

Lori Seaborg
http://www.keepingthehome.blogspot.com