It's hard not to watch the televised version of events unfold in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Even Dick Cheney says that he has been glued to the TV watching the coverage of the devastation down on the Gulf Coast. Seeing images of families torn apart and survivors who escaped with nothing but the clothes they were wearing stirs up thoughts of "what can I do to help". Hopefully most Americans will pick up a pen and write a check to some charity with a presence down there.
In our area, the St. Michaels Business Association teamed up with the Junior Womens Club and sucessfully filled a tractor trailer full of goods to be driven down. Stories in our local paper about everyday people displaying various degrees of generosity are plentiful. What it really boils down to is that any effort is generous, no matter how small and everyone should give something.
And, yes, I practice what I preach. This weekend my mom and I are having a yard sale and plan to match whatever money we make to form a donation to help the Humane Society Of The US and the ASPCA in their efforts to save and care for pets and farm animals that survived the storm. As difficult as it is to see kids who survived the storm only to struggle with the hardships of hunger, injury, and seperation from their families, I am opting to send my money to an organization that is helping those that cannot help themselves. If there was a fund specifically to help provide care for the eldery folks who have nobody to look after their needs, then I would send some there too. The kids will make out fine with parents or family and the child-centric government to ensure their welfare. "No Child Left Behind", right ? On the other hand, animals and the the eldery who have no family will need the help of strangers who care enough to go that extra mile. The HSUS and ASPCA appear to be full of just those people.
Won't you join me in making a donation to an organization whose cause you believe in?
MSNBC.com's site has a list of organizations seeking donations and other ways you can help.
