JJ5

The aftermath may last a long, long time so keep up the positive inspiration. And don't forget the helicopter pilots, medicals, and others once they come back home. It's hard to see a lot and then forget about it- so just because he/she isn't one that was shot in the leg or whatever- remember to give them some TLC.

Tiff

Thank you all dear friends for your words of hope. That is what all of this is, in the midst of agony, we are choosing to find hope.

I will add another...

A local woman here in Minnesota has been trying to gather enough food for one million meals. One million meals that she is putting together. I don't know how she is going to get it there. I don't what food she is providing that will be able to be preserved for the trip south, all I know is that she is just "one" person and she is trying because she cares.

LoveItaly

Oh Tiff, that woman sounds like an angel. And there are lots of food that does not have to be refrigerated. But how to get them to those in the area?

Which brings up a question I have. May you, OWJ, could answer.

I heard on CNN earlier this morning that with people being transported to the AstroDome in Texas that the surronding schools were going to take in the children so they could have some schooling.

Now I do not know about the school budgets in Texas but I do not know that here in N CA the school district budgets are in dire straights, even in the best of communities.

I have no idea how many children/students will be involved but I have been thinking about this all day. Can the school district budgets absorb these additional children? Teachers, supplies, books, probably lunches and I would think transportation cost? Plus of course classroom, desk etc. How is this going to be worked out. Or perhaps I am thinking there are going to be way more children then there actually will be. Any comments or answers would be appreciated. Best wishes.

stjohnbound

LoveItaly, I believe the costs incurred by the schools will be absorbed by FEMA.

seetheworld

Hi LoveItaly. I would agree with stjohnbound.

I wish I could pack up and help those children. The psychological impact will be significant.

Today, in my district, we offered a moment of silence for our educational counterparts, parents, and of course the students who have been so deeply affected by Katrina.

We will begin our own fundraising effort next week - not the first time children will bring in their pennies to help those suffering from disaster. What makes it particularly moving, is that many of these children are disadvantaged themselves, but yet they unselfishly give to help others.

Yes, Tiff, God Bless these United States of America.

Thyra

I've got a couple:
Canada! They've offered to donate everything from search and rescue to trees for rebuilding. They have medical supplies on their way. This makes me feel especially good, since it so often seems like the US stands alone in times of inner crisis.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary: Has managed to rescue two shelters worth of animals that were in dire straits.

The media is focusing always on the chaos the shots and the looting, that's what they make their money on, misery and bad news.. but for every lousy thing, people all over are coming forward to help.

antlori

My company is offering a double match, $2 for every $1 donated by employees, as they did with 9/11. Canada cares!

God bless Houston for taking those people out of that wretched mess at the Superdome.

OneWanderingJew

LoveItaly,
I do not know for sure how the newly enrolled educational costs will be funded but assume the same federal and state dollars will come to the school, based on enrollment.

I had a pseudo-admin position when I lived in South FL during Hurricane Andrew and we enrolled about a half dozen kids at my school alone. The influx for us wasn't so great that it caused the need for extra classrooms or teachers but I'm sure in some areas, a school could've gained a teacher or more. I would imagine the kids will be spread out to some degree, except perhaps around the Astrodome or ohter huge shelters or neighboring cities like Baton Rouge...In those cases, perhaps the schools will have to be creative with scheduling, ie go to double sessions...

Schools will be accepting kids from the hurricane hit regions w/o records, medical or educational. I know our school registered two kids from NO today--and we're in Atlanta, a good 7-8hr. drive from there.

The impact of this monsterous storm will be felt by people far and wide...

OWJ

Connie

I'm a Texas teacher and the state education director has directed all Texas schools to take in the displaced children. They will receive free breakfast and lunch, will receive any needed counseling, will receive any needed immunizations, will be able to compete athletically, etc. In other words, they will be able to be a normal school kid along with ours.

I haven't heard anyone question how we will pay for them. You just take care of your neighbors at times like this.

I live in a mid size town (25,000 people) on I-30 in far northeast Texas and they have filled our hotels and shelter and more are coming. They've had to travel a long way to find openings.

Of course, the Salvation Army, local churches, civic groups, Boy Scouts, PTO's, etc. are pitching in cooking meals and donating necessities.

They gotten so much they are asking for all donations except food and money to stop at this time.

uhoh_busted

This post deserves to be sent to the top, not that horrid hateful one.

I pray that the thousands of people stranded in New Orleans are soon on their way to someplace safe and dry. It will be difficult to sort out their lives and make plans, but oh, they do need to get out of that place soon.

Having once lost a home to a tornado, I know how devastating it is to sort through whatever belongings are left, so I send all my best wishes for people who have lost all those physical things to Katrina.

I urge everyone who is able to contribute to the Red Cross -- it will take months to help house people who have lost their homes, and in many cases, their jobs -- to do so.

LoveItaly

Thank you everyone, for your responses. Like I said I have been thinking about these dear children all day, along with the financial burdens that the Texas school districts will have, and how they will deal with it.
My prayer go to all in need and all that are helping. A tragedy that words cannot express. Prayers to all.

Bokhara

Kindest thoughts are with you from Australia, too. We're getting a lot of radio & TV coverage and the situation just sounds beyond dreadful. Let's just pray that the next few hours will bring some relief for those poor people trapped down there and their friends & relatives who must be so very worried.

Tiff

Hi LoveItaly,

Yes, I agree with the above that FEMA would cover those expenses for the children. I know how you feel, every time I see one of the little ones on the TV which I have been unable to turn off, I just want to give them a teddy bear and rock them, feed them their bottle, they look so scared. It just breaks my heart so much.

Ok, because I promised to give more hope here, I just saw on the TV that WalMart is donating 17 million dollars! Well done.

Thank you to all above with kind wishes. You are inspirational!

Connie

Today, a radio DJ was reading a long list of corporations donating millions and billions of dollars.

L84SKY

Here's something positive- you starting this thread and everyone who contributes. Thanks

That was an excellent thing to do, I got a little tearyjust reading the first paragraph.
It reminds me that there are people, living right there in the midst of this tragedy, that have held onto faith. I know they are there, they've held onto their heads and their hearts. They are the quiet heros. We'll never hear about them on the news b/c their contributions were not in the millions of dollars. But their contributions were worth just as much to the people they have offered hope to these last couple of days.
God Bless them.

LoveItaly

yes 84SKY, for some families just donating $5.00 to $10.00 is a sacrifice. God bless everyone that contributes in anyway they can.

And Tiff, I know exactly what you mean. Just seeing people holding their little ones above the toxic water as they wade through it brings me to the point of tears. Prayers to all.

Statia

I just spoke to my sister in Houston and she said that there have been people at the Texas state line, where the sign says, "Welcome to Texas," ready to hand out food and water to those arriving from the Superdome. That gave me chills and teared me up.

She also added that retired tearchers are coming out of the woodwork to assist with the additional children that will be integrated in the school system.

LoveItaly

Oh Statia, thank you for sharing the information that you have received from your sister. That brings tears to my eyes also. So many stories that touch ones heart. A good balance to the miserable and horrible reports we are hearing about. Take good care dear one.

Merseyheart

Oh, gosh, you guys, you made me cry. Standing at the Texas state line with welcome signs. That's what makes me cry-- seeing all the kind and generous acts in a situation like this. We saw some of that after 9/11. Americans can be good neighbors, when given the chance. Whether you can give $17 million or 7 cents, please give. This disaster is going to take a loonnnggg recovery, and we need to focus on helping each other and being kind to one another.

Bokhara

The Australian Government has just announced $10m will be given to the US Red Cross.