OT...another chance for southerners to help Katrina's victims

[Guest guest]

This came across my email and I'm passing it on for those of us in the

south. It's a clearinghouse for places around the south (churches,

vacant apartments and houses, etc) offering shelter for families left

homeless. Please pass it onto anywhere you think it could be useful.

Thanks

Lynn

In the wake of hurricane Katrina and massive flooding, one million

people have been forced to evacuate their homes. Since you live nearby,

do you have a safe place for someone to stay?

<http://www.hurricanehousing.org/index2.html?id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_\

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9yg & t=1>

Dear MoveOn member,

The devastation from hurricane Katrina is heart-breaking. With water

supplies running out and shelters bursting at the seams, people in

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida need somewhere safe to go.

But relief workers are struggling to find adequate housing for the one

million people who've had to evacuate their homes.

Because you live in the region, you could do a lot to alleviate this

crisis by opening your home. Do you have an extra room, bed or couch

where someone could stay? Post whatever you can offer at:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/index2.html?id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_9\

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<http://www.hurricanehousing.org/index2.html?id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_\

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9yg & t=2>

Since we launched this website 24 hours ago, more than 40,000 beds have

been offered throughout the country. But we need more in the Southeast

region, closest to the families forced from their homes by the storm and

flooding.

A family stranded in Texas wrote us this:

I have 6 adults, 5 childrens, 2 dogs and 4 cats. We are staying in

Galveston renting a house at the time. We are paying $1300.00 for

this week and have no more money for another. 2 people in my group

have lost their house and the rest have damage but don't know to

what extent. We know that we can't return for at least a month so

any help with lodging would be appreciated.

Relief workers attest to the importance of people volunteering space in

their own homes. A Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesperson

said, " That kind of system, individual to individual, is a great way to

go. There are a lot of great Americans out there. " 1

Here's how it works:

* You can sign up to become a host by posting a description of

whatever housing you have available, along with contact

information. You can change or remove your offer at any time.

* Hurricane victims, local and national relief organizations,

friends and relatives can search the site for housing. We'll do

everything we can to get your offers where they are needed most.

Many shelters have Internet access, but folks who can't get online

can still use the site through case workers and family members.

We're looking into setting up a toll-free phone number to provide

access, too.

* Hurricane victims or relief agencies will contact hosts and

together decide if it's a good match and make the necessary travel

arrangements. The host's address is not released until a

particular match is agreed on.

Please consider offering whatever extra space you can. Having a safe,

dry place to sleep will make a tremendous difference for people struck

by this disaster. You can post your offer by clicking here:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org/index2.html?id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_9\

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<http://www.hurricanehousing.org/index2.html?id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_\

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If you simply cannot host anyone, a donation to the Red Cross will help

with the enormous tasks of rescue and recovery. You can give online at:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=859 & id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_9yg & t=4

<http://www.moveon.org/r?r=859 & id=5952-1344939-OytJOWPQ4CiR1umM9o_9yg & t=4>

Thanks for being there when it matters most.

-Noah T. Winer and the whole MoveOn.org Civic Action Team

Friday, September 2nd, 2005

Source:

1. " Americans opening spare rooms to evacuees, " CNN/AP, September 1, 2005

http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/09/01/Katrina.SpareRooms.ap/

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