Disaster Relief

[el-jefe]

Anyone coming to the tourney this weekend, please bring any bedding you have to spare. I dropped some stuff off at Ford Park yesterday, and its pretty bad. A lot of desperate people who thought they were leaving for a couple of days are finding out it could be more than a month before they can get back to the area where they live with no guarantee that there is anything left. They are in desperate need of bedding, clothing, and any entertainment they can get ahold off (books, board games,etc....) There is a major shortage of pillows and blankets. Also any toiletries you have would be greatly appreciated. These people are in dire straits and need our help, lets do what we can. Thanks.

[Tomwin]

KFDM channel 6 has posted information on how to help with the refugees.

To begin assistance through FEMA call 1-800-621-FEMA or www.fema.gov.

For information out of New Orleans and surrounding areas log on to www.wwltv.com. For a live feed from WWL-TV go to our digital channel at 6.1 on Time Warner Cable.

For information about friends and loved ones who remained in the afflicted areas, call 1-866-GET-INFO (1-800-438-4636) or www.redcross.org. Do not call the Louisiana State Police.

For information on road conditions in Louisiana call 1-800-469-4828. Please do not call the LSP "Roadway Closure Hotline" that number has been reassigned as a '911' line and needs to remain available for emergencies. Interstate 10 East is closed to Baton Rouge, take a northern route if travelling that direction.

Evacuees who receive Social Security benefits through the mail can call the Beaumont Social Security office at 924-6413 and a replacement check can be issued. Direct deposit funds will be deposited normally for evacuees.

To report price gouging call the Texas Attorney General's Office at 1-800-337-3928.

To make donations:
--Call the American Red Cross at 1-800-HELP-NOW (1-800-4357-669). If the line is busy, please call back.
--For the Ford Park Shelter, go to the Sterling Pruitt Center at 2930 Gulf Street from 8am-10pm. Do not go to Ford Park. Non-perishable food items, blanket, all baby items, and more are being accepted. Call the Center for specific needs at 835-7426. Volunteers are needed.
--Lowe's is matching all donations dollar for dollar up to $1 million. Go to your local Lowe's store or log on to www.lowes.com for more informaion or make a donation online. Lowe's is accepting donations on behalf of the American Red Cross.
--The United Board of Missions, 6650 9th Avenue, Port Arthur. Bring non-perishable food items-cans that don't need can openers, baby food, diapers, sheets, and more. Please call 962-5661 for more informaion.
--For victims needing assistance call the Salvation Army at 1-800-725-2769.
--The Southeast Texas Relief Fund PO BOX 7888, Beaumont, Tx, 77706. This fund was established by Regina Rogers and Joe Penland.
--The York Manor Apartment Complex, 4001 Memorial in Port Arthur, is housing refugees. They are requesting furniture and other household items. Call 982-0661 for ore information.
--Donations of supplies toward the horse rescue effort can made to Habitat for Horses/Lone Star Equine Rescue, Inc at 713-467-3444 or email rose@wtshouston.net. Financial donations can be made at habitatforhorses.org/getinvolved/donatenow.html.
--Market Basket Stores will be collecting items for the relief effort. Donations will be distributed through the American Red Cross. Items include but are not limited to diapers, soap, shampoo, baby food, toothbrushes/paste, paper towels and much more.
--Hairdressers across the area are being asked to assist. Drop donations at RDA Beauty Supply in Beaumont, Magic Touch Hair Salon in Orange, Sassy Scissors in Winnie, and Eclcetic Hair Etc in Nederland.
--The Crossing Shopping Center, Calder at Dowlen in Beaumont, will be taking donations until Saturday.
--Let's Party, 2703 Avenue H in Nederland, is taking toy donations. Call 727-6047 for more information.
--All area Five Point Credit Unions are accepting donations.

Please contact these shelters to find out about specific needs.
--Church Alive
3082 Hwy 69 South, Lumberton
--American Legion Post
1320 Pennsylvania, Beaumont
Open Thursday, Sept. 1 to Wednesday, Sept. 7
there are no showers here
--United Board of Missions
6650 9th Avenue, Port Arthur, 962-5661
Collecting non-perishable food items-cans that don't need can openers, baby food, diapers, sheets, and more.
--First Baptist Church, Orange
--First Presbyterian Church, Orange
--Community Church, 16th Street, Orange
--North Orange Baptist Church, Hwy 87, Orange
--First Church of Nazarene, MLK, Orange
--Trinity Baptist Church, 32nd Street, Groves 543-3421 or 962-5731
This church is in deperate need of food and supplies.
--Wesley United Methodist Church, Major Drive, Beaumont
Looking for food, and tennis shoes for the kids. The children will be enrolled in school and
the church is looking for supplies to get them started. Call 892-7733.
--New Wine Church, 1600 Hwy 69, Lumberton, 246-2928

[el-jefe]

I brought some stuff straight to Ford Parks Red Cross Center. The national guard will not let you bring anything directly to the refugees because of an almost riot when people first started showing up with goods. If you want to take stuff up there, go to the back side of the convention center and drop it off at the red cross center set up there. They will then disperse it to the people. Doing it this way gets the stuff to the refugees much quicker than dropping it off downtown at the red cross center or any other sites that are set up.

[Gimp]

If someone will be in charge of taking the stuff, I'll post for people to bring it to the tourney...

[el-jefe]

We can load it in the back of my truck and I'll take care of it.