My friend's So Cali church is adopting about 15 families I think.

I have a GF who's from New Orleans. I called to see how her family was. Luckily, all family members have been found and are safe. Unfortunately, their houses are completely underwater.

I told her to call me if there's anything I can do. My husband joked, half-seriously, that any day now her entire clan will arive on our doorstep!

Meredith, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's belongings. The general feeling among those amidst the disaster is not about their belongings, it's about their gratefulness for being alive. I believe Katrina is helping all of us put things in perspective.

How is the church going about that? Are they taking the people into their homes?

I think that's what the church is doing, but I'll ask her again. As far as the other friend, I see her this Sunday, and I'll ask about her family again. Most of the family (2 sisters and their families) were able to stay together, but it took 5 days to find the nephew. He's fine, but it's still very disheartening to lose their homes.

I don't know if I mentioned this before or not but Our Mayor and some of the major Casinos are giving a weeks vacation to all fireman, policemen, and their families. Everything air fare, meals and rooms are FREE and they are not giving them the rooms off the alley either, its all top shelf. Celine Dion and Barry Manilow are giving them free show tickets as are many other performers. They also receive $1000. to gamble with or pocket, whatever they want. This will remain in effect indefinitely and also be for others doing a great job in New Orleans, the people on the front lines....We also have countless families arriving here to live and hundreds of displaced animals. I have to say for once I am proud of this City.

Chatty,
Thank you for telling us about that. It is good to know that Las Vegas is willing to do what it can to help.

My son in law who was one of the first rescuers on-site is still there. He won't be home until mid October. A trip like that might help him and others recover from the trauma of such a horrific experience.
smile

Smile, I would think being in New Orleans would be just as traumatic as war. I said a prayer to keep him safe and strong.

I heard that a Texas congressman gave his home to an evacuee to use while he and his family are in D.C. When they go home, they stay with his MIL. You have to admire a polititian who puts his words into personal action.

Daisygirl

chatty, smile and daisy, these are the kinds of stories we need to hear more about!

Have any of you searched your hearts and considered taking Katrina victims in your homes? My husband and I talked about this and I'm embarrassed to say we weren't sure we could take total strangers into our home. How about you?

I'm thinking about doing it after I return from the wedding. My town has gotten a very bad rap right now and deserves it because some of the people here didn't want them to open an old card factory for these lost souls. Isn't that awful?! Like it was going to destroy the city.

I'd like to take in an elderly couple if possible. I don't know if you can request the ones you want though.

Dotsie, I have considered it, but just last year I had a bad experience with someone who moved in with me for a time. She was a woman I graduated with who was living in a very abusive situation - her husband actually put a gun to her head. So she moved in with me and I did not expect any rent or anything because she didn't have a job. Well, after several months, I realized she wasn't looking for a job and even though I didn't expect any money, I did expect her to at least TRY to stand on her own. But the proverbal straw was when she cut my phone line. My first thought was that Daisy, my Weim, did it, but after a few days it hit me that if a dog would've done it, the cord would've been mangled and the phone would've been on the floor. It was a clean cut on the cord from the wall. I expected her to disfunctional, but not dangerous. I asked her to leave immediately and she went to live with a sister.

Anyway, I didn't mean to change the subject, but I have thought about having a Katrina evacuee live with me, but I think I would feel more comfortable fostering a dog or 2 until the owners could reclaim them. Last year I had 3 different families live with me at different times....another abused wife, the crazy one and my son, his wife, son and 2 boxers.
Daisygirl

The warning I received via email last evening from my Uncle in the Government in DC was to be very careful even speaking to a man that have a New Orleans type accent when out at night as they are frantically searching for over a thousand dagerous escaped murderers/rapists that are now roaming the streets as free men from the hurricane. He was emphatic as to NOT take anyone into the home, just send money to help he said...He said the poublic doesn't even realize fully the dangers out there now and spreading all around the country....