Post by Amber on Sept 2, 2005 2:19:27 GMT -5
Unlike many, I was very fortunate to be able to go to my parents home in West Texas during all this chaos and turmoil. I've never before apprecaited a warm bed and cool air conditioning this much. I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out the best way to help when I'm so far away and decided to write a letter to the editor of our local paper asking for donations from citizens in the area. This could be very useful for those of you who have relocated throughout the country. People often simply don't donate because it seems the cause it too far removed from their everyday lives. When they see that someone from their home was affected by all this it can really incite them to do something productive. I will go ahead and post the letter I wrote, feel free to rewrite, steal and use what you can from it. Thanks to everyone. Also post your letters here so we can all draw ideas and hope.
August 31, 2005
I grew up in Abilene and now live in New Orleans, LA. I left Texas to attend Tulane University, but I have always enjoyed visiting home. I’m now back in Abilene for another reason. Like many others in New Orleans I was forced to evacuate due to Katrina. As I left, the city braced itself for the nightmare it had feared since Camille. That nightmare has become a reality. There is a chance that I may lose everything I own as the city suffers from historic flooding, fires and looting, and I am one of the lucky ones. I was able to leave safely.
I have seen the city I know and love in the grips of one of the most devastating catastrophes in American history. Homes have been swept away, bridges have crumbled and there has been an inconceivable loss of human life. Thousands of people will be left homeless throughout the region. Close to 100,000 are now trapped in the city because they were simply unable to evacuate. This number alone is close to the total population for the entire city of Abilene. I know that Abilene is a generous town and I ask to you do whatever you can to assist my friends and neighbors in LA. I beg of you to send what you have to spare. Please make donations to the American Red Cross through logging on to www.redcross.org or calling 1 800 HELP NOW. Thank you.
August 31, 2005
I grew up in Abilene and now live in New Orleans, LA. I left Texas to attend Tulane University, but I have always enjoyed visiting home. I’m now back in Abilene for another reason. Like many others in New Orleans I was forced to evacuate due to Katrina. As I left, the city braced itself for the nightmare it had feared since Camille. That nightmare has become a reality. There is a chance that I may lose everything I own as the city suffers from historic flooding, fires and looting, and I am one of the lucky ones. I was able to leave safely.
I have seen the city I know and love in the grips of one of the most devastating catastrophes in American history. Homes have been swept away, bridges have crumbled and there has been an inconceivable loss of human life. Thousands of people will be left homeless throughout the region. Close to 100,000 are now trapped in the city because they were simply unable to evacuate. This number alone is close to the total population for the entire city of Abilene. I know that Abilene is a generous town and I ask to you do whatever you can to assist my friends and neighbors in LA. I beg of you to send what you have to spare. Please make donations to the American Red Cross through logging on to www.redcross.org or calling 1 800 HELP NOW. Thank you.