Donations For the Victims of Hurricane Katrina

I thought it would be nice if we, the members of the lab board, could get some things together for the members that were affected by Hurricane Katrina. I know some of our members have had to evacuate their homes and I’m sure they were not able to take much with them.

I’d like to set up a donation for pet items to help them out. While we don’t know what the outcome is I’m sure that many will not have much left once they are able to return home. I’d like to help them out by getting some things for their labs/pets.

I’m not sure what would all be needed but came up with a “sample” list:
- on line gift certificates for pet items – like Petco, Petsmart etc – any store that sells online
- any toys – within reasonable size as we would have to ship these items out
- coupons for food (as that would be too heavy and difficult to ship
- treats
- leashes or collars

Like I said – these is just some ideas that I came up with and if you have any others please feel free to add them.

I can be an organization/coordination point and we can then ship items from here or if others want to volunteer. Considering that many will not be able to get home very soon I (or other volunteers) would need to collect these items for a couple of weeks before being able to ship out. Whatever we get I would just split up among the ones affected – maybe just by the number of dogs? Any ideas to make sure we are fair to everyone?

I would need a mailing address for the people affected also – which may prove to be difficult if they are in temporary housing for a while.

If anyone has any thoughts/suggestions on how we could do this or would like to help out please feel free to post.

I hope that we can help out our fellow members and their labs and other pets so they have one less thing to worry about and stress over.

I'm more than willing to help out somehow Jacky -- good idea!

Whatever I can do, just tell me.

I was thinking of something like this too, Jacky, but didn't know how to get started.

Count me in. I think I would like to give some good old fashion cash - how should I go about this, through paypal? Send you a check directly?

Jacky what a great idea. From what I understand - in some parts of the areas that were hit it could be weeks and weeks for power to be restored. I think we will have to play wait and see for a bit - just to find out when they can get back to their homes or to temporairy housing. Im in as soon as we know! Thank you so much for offering to coordinate this!

Hugs

I think this is a great idea!
Perhaps we can find a way to save having to ship things twice. Like we tell you what exactly we are planning to send, and you provide us with an address for our donation. You could then still split the stuff up fairly without having to reship things already sent to you. Did I explain that in a way that even makes sense? lol!

That's a good idea, Jenn. Jacky could compile a list of "needs" or "wants" and who they go to and we could send them directly. Kind of like our Christmas gift exchange! Even if it's a gift certificate to Wal Mart or some food mart.

Thanks everyone so far!!! What would really help - does anyone know who has been affected? Maybe we could start a list here and then go from there.

Maybe we could get a list of any members that need assistance, then a "needs" list for each one.

I have been collecting collars & leashes that I was going to send to Tammy's rescue, but I'm sure she wouldn't mind if we donated them to this cause.

So far I know of Shaqpuppy, Ricky Easton, and possibly MaryClay B. Others???

There's also Katie (kmacal1), CajunLabOwner, Nola's Amy, Jake's Mom...who else?

I am fine - north Mississippi. We got pelted by massive wind, but nothing too severe. We rescued a 70+ cousin Saturday (did a turn-around trip from here down to Hattiesburg - 5 hrs - and back up, getting in close to 3 am). She lives 2 blocks from the beach in Ocean Springs, MS. Her son works for the cable company and evacuated his family east to Pascagoula, MS. He was going to try and get to the house today and assess the damage. My SIL and BIL stayed (20 miles north of I-10 in MS). I lost all communications with them yesterday around 11 am. The last thing she said was "Oh s*#@t - a roof just landed in our front yard!" I'm very concerned about their safety.

Apparently, the shelters and what not evacuated a lot of animals (mainly from the LA area (?)) to Houston, TX, or so I heard through Fox. It is going to be a very, very long time before folks are able to get back in their homes, especially the Gulf Coast and Louisiana. I cried a river looking at footage of Gulfport (where we used to live), as there was 10' of water rolling through the streets there yesterday afternoon.

Shakespear (think that is how he spells his log-in) is from the Hattiesburg, MS, area and I know they got tons of backlash from this storm. MS Emergency Mgmt said that Hwy 49 was open towards the coast, but only for emergency vehicles only.

I wonder if donations to the Red Cross wouldn't be a better idea?

keep me posted, I would like to help if I can

I think that doing something for our fellow board members is a test to the friendship that we have made with others on the board and their pets. Count me in to do whatever I can. I would be willing to be the contact for everyone in Canada that would like to donate cash or goods. I can collect the cash from anyone willing to donate then get a US money order and send it in one lump sum down to Jacky.
I can also collect items and send them down in one shipment.

Julie

jasonmc in Mobile, Alabama. He posted in the august photo contest a picture of his lab in the car as they were fleeing hurricane Dennis. I sent him a PM, but haven't heard back,

You can count me in. I'll keep watching this post to see what needs to be donated and for shipping instructions.

Jerred72 is also in LA and was planning on riding out the storm.

This is the list I have right now of people affected (or possibly affected)

jasonmc - Mobile AL

kmacal1 - Katie

CajunLabOwner

Nola's Amy

Jake's Mom

Shaqpuppy

Ricky Easton

Jerrod72

if there are any others please add them. And if anyone knows how or can get in touch with them please let them know we want to help.

I think our challenge will be getting the stuff to them once we have names of who needs it.

Further instructions will be posted when we know them.
Thanks for all the support!

Jacky, I think it's Jerred72, not Jarrod.

oh - sorry - thanks I'll correct in the next update

I agree that donating to the Red Cross is a good idea. I am up for whatever we all decide.

Great idea Jacky. I am wondering if cash through paypal might be the best option because they probably have the collars and leashes for their dogs. Plus their dogs will probably be okay without all of their toys for a while but I am guessing that our friends could use a little extra cash to get through the weeks/months ahead until Insurance checks come in.

I think the biggest challenge will be finding out where to send money. If it were me, I wouldn't be begging for money, no matter how bad off I was. (Not that I consider this begging in the least, I think you all know the angle I'm going with.) So, we're going to have to become detectives with this.

I think the biggest challenge will be finding out where to send money. If it were me, I wouldn't be begging for money, no matter how bad off I was. (Not that I consider this begging in the least, I think you all know the angle I'm going with.) So, we're going to have to become detectives with this.

I agree with Deb, it is sometimes hard to except help, no matter how badly you need it. I would encourage any of our friends who might benefit from the help to consider it a loan if need be. When they are ready and able to pay it back they can do so by donating it back to one of our many rescues on this site or another charity of their choice.

I am willing to volunteer.. actually.. if you don't mind it going outside the lab board, at school we always do a fundraiser to help animals and people last year we did one for our local animal shelter, and a farm where animals dogs and cats were abused and were now at a shelter, as well as the tsunami.. i could see if we could do a fundraiser for "The Animal Victims Of Hurricane Katrina" have like a 2 week fundrasier at school and then ship them out to the owners.. let me know what you think.. (this will be msotly food leashes collars not a lot of gift cards and cash)

it could go not only to the owners on the site.. but i could look into shelters in that area.. preferably no kill.. but wherever animals are suffering the items will be sent.. i have about 1000 kids in my school so i think we could get a lot out of it!!

Those all sound like good ideas. Let me know if I can help with anything. Othwerise, I will just keep checking in.

Let me know what I can do, please.

I will keep checking in also. As soon as it is who, what, when, where and how's are figured out, I will be more than happy to make a donation.

:waver: I'm in too.

it could go not only to the owners on the site.. but i could look into shelters in that area.. preferably no kill.. but wherever animals are suffering the items will be sent.. i have about 1000 kids in my school so i think we could get a lot out of it!!


check out the "library" button on the LOLIN website. Last Friday I added a link from the ASPCA AnimaLesssons that has age/grade appropriate lesson plans for teachers and it might give you some ideas for this project as well

www.lolin.org (http://www.lolin.org)

take care
sue b
LOLIN Volunteer & webmaster

thank you.. this is really great.. i love doing anything to help animals i am helping at a shelter later this year, adn them through highschool, i would love to run a rescue group when i am older.. my parents think i;m crazy sometimes.. i think i am an animal lover.. :)

I will schedule a meeting with the prinipal tommarow

I'd like to thank all you folks for the comments of concern. I know it means a lot to me, as it does to the other Louisiana members on this board. Glad to see all my fellow LA board members and their pets are ok. The loss of my house hasn't really hit me yet, I'm kind of in a blank state of mind. I think I'm going to try and relocate a little farther North now away from the water. I've seen footage of the city where I work and my work place is gone. I definately feel for the people with children. To all the people on this board lending a hand, a heartfelt thank you goes out to you!!!!!:)

I'd love to help. I'll keep checking!

Say the word and I'm in.

Count me in.

I too want to help and will keep watching this thread.

Susan

I want to help too. The ones that are listed. Do we know they are all ok? I know some of them have posted or someone has talked to them and posted. I was also thinking I might just send a giftcard that way they could get whatever they needed. Prayers to everyone going through this difficult time.

I'd like to thank all you folks for the comments of concern. I know it means a lot to me, as it does to the other Louisiana members on this board. Glad to see all my fellow LA board members and their pets are ok. The loss of my house hasn't really hit me yet, I'm kind of in a blank state of mind. I think I'm going to try and relocate a little farther North now away from the water. I've seen footage of the city where I work and my work place is gone. I definately feel for the people with children. To all the people on this board lending a hand, a heartfelt thank you goes out to you!!!!!:)

Ricky, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss! My prayers go out to you, your family, and your neighbors! We're all here to help!

I will also keep checking in to find out who what & when. My heart goes out to all the people and animals. They will all be in my prayers.

Count me in too... I will be happy to do what I can...

Omg, on MSNBC they are showing some of the animals being rescued...This is just so sad. Now they say the water is still gonna rise.

I just looked at the pics on MSNBC, they are unbelievably sad. They brought tears to my eyes. Count me in on helping out!

okay - so should I just start collecting things? and then hope to have some sort of address to send to in a few weeks? You all gave such an overwhelming positive response and I would have no problems getting all the stuff sent to me and putting our "care packets" together I just don't know how to get them to those that need them - especially some have not been on the board even so we don't know if they are okay.

thoughts - suggestions anyone....

I'm in - I'll help anyway I can!

FYI

Governors of the affected States anounced yesterday they did not need any help such as donations goods, or even money. Actually, one even sounded like he was bragging that money is not a problem there at all.

Their problem is lack of shelter space (and dry land). They also seemed to appreciate volunteers', especially those who can arrive with heavy equipment, appropriate for the situation.

FYI

Governors of the affected States anounced yesterday they did not need any help such as donations goods, or even money. Actually, one even sounded like he was bragging that money is not a problem there at all.

Their problem is lack of shelter space (and dry land). They also seemed to appreciate volunteers', especially those who can arrive with heavy equipment, appropriate for the situation.

I believe what is collected from the members here is going to the members on the board who need help.

jackyscott, I think that is a good plan. I was thinking of a gift card, but gosh, to what store? What stores will they have available to them?

jackyscott, I think that is a good plan. I was thinking of a gift card, but gosh, to what store? What stores will they have available to them?

That's kind of my quandry right now. I was thinking, if a store it would need to be an on-line one - although I'm sure they are and will be having difficulties getting on line too.

And yes - just to clarify - these are just some care packages for the members on the board here. I know of 8 that have been affected and I just need to figure out how to get the packages to them, but if I collect for a week or two hopefully by then they would all have some temp. address that we could send the stuff too.

If that sounds like a good plan, then I will go ahead and post my address and I will just divide up whatever comes into 8 packages.

I think it sounds like a good plan. I think at least a couple of weeks for people to get things to you would be good.

Would it be easier for you if you did it like Jenn and Barb suggested?

Thank you for doing this.

okay - I guess we'll go with the plan stated. So if anyone wants to send anything here is my address. I will gather everything for prob. about 2 weeks and hopefully by then I will have adresses to send it to.

Jacky Schmitt
599 S Oak Park Ct
Milwaukee WI 53214

I want to help also. Do you think money would be better than collecting items? Or would you rather have the specific items? I will keep checking on this thread. God Bless all those hit by Katrina. They are all in my thoughts & prayers. Kathy

I haven't been around the board much, but count me in too...I am in the clothing business and have started to ask my clients to gather gently worn clothes for donation...let me know if that would help...also...I don't know what you guys think of this, but I have a suggestion for getting the stuff to people down south...what if we handled it like a dog transport and started a chain...thoughts?

I apologize for suggesting an alternative right after Jacky says, "Okay here's the plan." I only just now thought of this.

What about pooling our money and buy gift certificates to Doctors Foster & Smith for each board member we are helping? It's an online pet supply compnay and national pet pharmacy and it has items for more than dogs. This would each person to buy what is needed instead of us guessing what they need. The people can also tell Doctors F & S where to ship the selected items to, so we don't have to worry about where they are. This also would allow them to buy expensive items;either the gift is large enough or at least it helps knock down the price. What if some people need to replace crates for example? What if what they need is replacement of their heartworm or flea prevention product? Some of the prescription products are available from F & S.

If we pooled our money to do that, then we could get these folks' real names. We might not even have to mail the "cards," it might be that we can simply create accounts in their names for them to tap into when they are ready. I bet F &S would help us.

What do you think?

Again, I apologize for this last minute suggestion, but I kept thinking, I don't know what to send to Jacky; I don't know what these people need or when they'll need it, and so on.

Susan

I talked to Kim last nite about 10:30 - I was half asleep - so parts of the conversation are a bit fuzzy. They went back to their home last nite and it is fine. No damage. She was so relieved. They have no electricity - and one official told them best case scenario - they might have it back in a month. They are allowed to stay there if they choose. I believe Kim told me she was going to send her kids up north so they could get back to school but she and Bobby are staying. There are lots and lots of people trying to escape the city of New Orleans by foot and ending up in her little town. Some of these people are quite desperate and looting homes has become quite the trend. The people in her neighborhood are all a bit afraid at this point.

Louisiana has much the same climate as Houston or Florida - IT IS HOT AND MUGGY. The standing water has made the mosquito problem 1000 times worse than normal.

The reason I am saying this is I don't know when or how we could even get a package to them. The few stores that are open for supplies are on a cash only basis - but these people cannot access their money - no power - no banks open - its a mess.

I am getting them some cash to get by with. I was also brainstroming last nite - I may plan a roadtrip in the next couple of weekends - once we know how long their area is going to be "Dead" I cannot get in - you have to have a LA license to get into her parrish. Kim could meet me somewhere outside the city and I could take supplies - dog food, water, canned goods etc.

Just throwing out suggestions here - but right now I think the basic life type things are needed. Perhaps we should wait to here from a few other members to see what their situation is and what they need-at that point If you guys want to put together care packages and get them to me I can get them to Louisiana?

Thoughts?

Jacky I am not trying to take this over from you - You can orginize it - but you may not have any addresses to ship it to because I don't know how the mail is going to be delivered there for awhile!

Please keep us updated on what we can do to help. For now - good thoughts and lots of prayers to everyone affected by this catastrophy. Kathy

Kathy & Susan both good ideas. I know we all want to help but really have no idea on how to get stuff to them.

Okay - so what does everyone else think. What Kathy & Susan suggested seems like a good solution to me.

Perhaps either cash or gift certificates/cards, or if we could get a list of their needs that we can buy then deliver? Either or, I am ready to help.

Funny, because for a fund-raiser earlier this year, I have a Dr Foster's gift certificate that I bought on auction - I was going to send that anyhow. I agree, that may be the only way to go....but I still want to send some cash for the people too. Really, with some food, one collar and leash, the dogs/cats will be just fine.

Count me in.

okay - there is a Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge that we can get gift cards from - that way they can be used in any store in the mall.

There web page is www.malloflouisiana.com - then go to mall info, then gift certificates. There is a number to call so apparently you can't purchase the cards on line but from how I read it - we can set up an account for them and they can go to a link from that page to see their account balance, etc.

I would think that anyone of us could set up an account and then anyone who wants to donate could call the number and tell them what account to put it towards.

I know Katie and Julie are close to this mall. I'm not sure about Kim or Amy or Ricky Elston and we haven't heard anything from or about Jerred72. Haven't heard on jasonmc either but he is in AL.

Thoughts???? Suggestions???

I am also going to check Drs. Foster & Smith, but then there is the shipping thing and they may not be able to ship to them depending on where they are.

I think everyone here has a heart of gold and I'm sure what you plan on sending will mean a lot to the members in need. My only concern is how are you going to know where to send the things? Some of these people have lost homes...how will you find out where they are staying? Are we even sure that there pets survived? Has anyone been in touch with any of these members, and if so... has anyone asked what their needs are? I think I would start here in order to make sure your kindnesses are received. And count me in, too, once we know more. My heart goes out to these poor families.

I would also love to help and will keep checking in to see if a plan is made.

FYI

Governors of the affected States anounced yesterday they did not need any help such as donations goods, or even money. Actually, one even sounded like he was bragging that money is not a problem there at all.

Their problem is lack of shelter space (and dry land). They also seemed to appreciate volunteers', especially those who can arrive with heavy equipment, appropriate for the situation.
They don't need to worry about money because more than half the politicians in Louisiana are crooked. What about the ordinary middle-class people that are having to come out of pocket to rent hotel rooms and not paying bills just so they can get through this until the insurance companies settle. I for one wasn't totally prepared and now that my job is gone, like almost everyone else down here, I have to go down to New Orleans in the next few days to hook up temporary power and risk my life to make ends meet. The people are suffering, from one spectrum to the other, I'm sure if you ask the other LA residents on here that were affected such as Kim, they'd tell you the same thing. It's just a tough time for all, I went back to my house yesterday, my neighborhood looked like it was bombed. An absolute war zone that will take a long time to get back like it was. :( Take care everyone:)

Ricky & others....Is there anything in particular that we can help you with? Wishing you and all others the best.