Katrina’s Wake

By prism{HS}

Greetings Masters,
Greetings Mistresses,
Greetings slaves,

Not to sure how to start out this article, it was a very last minute decision. This one had her health column all figured out and ready to go and just hit the delete button and decided to write on something that is happening right now.

Many of you are not in the United States, but she is sure that most everyone can relate to this. Those of you who are in the United States, you probably have been watching the news on what is happening, the headlines reading “Floodwaters rising, devastation widespread in Katrina’s wake.” As this one watches the news, she can’t help but feel for these people who have lost everything. In attics, on rooftops, waiting and praying for help to arrive. Dead bodies are pushed aside as relief workers rescue survivors. Red X’s are marked on houses with dead, so that later they may be picked up. People leaving the city of New Orleans and on their way out being car-jacked. People looting, prisoners are said to be rioting. Where does it begin and when will it end?

Animals from the aquarium washing up in parking lots, just to be shot to death by police, because they have nowhere to relocate them. They can’t get help to humans, so they can not worry about the animals. Thousands of people are evacuated to the Superdome, they have no where else to go. This one can’t help but feel the lump in her throat. Looking and watching on and feeling like her hands are tied, but are they really?

For those of you who can relate and want to help, prism is going to list a few websites. The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists these organizations for those seeking to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina:

to donate cash:

American Red Cross (800) HELP NOW (435-7669) English; (800) 257-7575 Spanish
Operation Blessing (800) 436-6348
America’s Second Harvest (800) 344-8070

to donate cash or volunteer:

Adventist Community Services (800) 381-7171
Catholic Charities, USA (703) 549-1390
Christian Disaster Response (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (800) 848-5818
Church World Service (800) 297-1516
Convoy of Hope (417) 823-8998
Lutheran Disaster Response (800) 638-3522
Mennonite Disaster Service (717) 859-2210
Nazarene Disaster Response (888) 256-5886
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (800) 872-3283
Salvation Army (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief (800) 462-8657, ext. 6133
United Methodist Committee on Relief (800) 554-8583

All these are listed on the CNN website.

The smallest of donations help. It doesn’t have to be money, it could be a small amount of your time, or just spreading the word, and if nothing else... a simple prayer.

Thank you for your time.

Warmest wishes and Godspeed

prism

prism_hs@yahoo.com