Posted on 08/17/2004 10:30:40 AM PDT by dukeman
Want to help?
Red Cross
The Red Cross is asking people to make financial donations rather than donations of food, clothing or other supplies. Checks can be dropped off or mailed to the Charlotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 1300-D Enterprise Drive, Port Charlotte FL 33953, or to the Southwest Florida Chapter of the American Red Cross, 2001 Cantu Court, Sarasota FL 34232. Indicate on the check that you want your donation to go to the victims of Hurricane Charley. Credit card donations can be made by calling (800) 435-7669 or at the organization's Web site, www.redcross.org. For information or to volunteer, stop by either office or call 941-379-9300, Ext. 226 in Sarasota County, 941-629-4345 in Charlotte County or 941-792-8686 in Manatee County.
Herald-Tribune
The Herald-Tribune will be accepting supplies to help provide relief to the victims of Hurricane Charley in Charlotte County and surrounding areas. Suggested items include: bottled water, batteries, towels, flashlights, water, toothpaste, toothbrushes and other toiletries and basic need items. The donated supplies should be placed in shoeboxes or other small boxes that can be easily transported. The Herald-Tribune will distribute the supplies to residents in need.
Drop off the boxes at the following Herald-Tribune locations:
- Bradenton, 905 Sixth Ave. W.
- Lakewood Ranch, 8339 Market Street
- Sarasota, 801 Tamiami Trail S.
- Venice, 300 Tamiami Trail S.
- Englewood, 1900 S. McCall Road
- North Port, 14942 Tamiami Trail
In Englewoood, the Bay Harbor Ford dealership is also accepting supplies on behalf of the Herald-Tribune.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation
Concerned individuals can make donations online to help victims of Hurricane Charley through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice's web site. All contributions are tax deductible; 100 percent of the contribution will be used for disaster relief. People can make general donations or contribute to a specific community. To make a a donation, log onto www.gulfcoastcf.org.
Salvation Army
To make a monetary donation, send a check payable to Salvation Army to P.O. Box 270848, Tampa, FL 33688, or go to the website www.salvationarmy.org and click on "donate now."
The Salvation Army is also seeking volunteers. Call 1-800-996-2769.
Harvest United Methodist Church
Harvest United Methodist Church will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday through Sunday to accept supplies for people affected by Hurricane Charley. Needed are canned meats, water, juice, soft drinks, peanut butter, baby food, diapers, baby wipes, rice and canned black beans.
The church also seeks volunteers to help with temporary roof repairs in Arcadia (Desoto County). For more information, call 941-907-7333 or visit www.harvest-umc.org.
Medical professionals needed
Doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists are needed in Sarasota, Charlotte and perhaps in Desoto County shelters. Licenses are required. To volunteer, call the Sarasota County Health Department employee resources number: 941-861-2717.
I have heard from a cousin who lives in Punta Gorda. She was told by the power company that it will be weeks before electricity is restored, not days. Much of the infrastructure has to be rebuilt. She is trying to find a generator that can run their refrigerator. Her family was lucky in that there house wasn't damaged much. Mostly downed trees and some minor roof damage. They are some of the lucky ones.
Yes, the lack of power is a real tough situation down there right now (I live in the next county to the north from Charlotte). Most of the special need medical patients have been moved out of Charlotte because of this. The heat is particularly tough on the elderly
I gave the Red Cross a donation yesterday. I had trouble sleeping this weekend thinking about all those people.
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I understand what you're saying and God bless you for doing something! I live about 30 miles north of the Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte area which was hit so badly. On Saturday, I was almost in a celebratory mood because the storm hadn't come further up the coast to destroy my house and endanger my family. By Sunday morning I had feelings sweep over me very similar to what I felt after 9/11: a mixture of awe at the scale of destruction, sadness, pity, and a little bit of guilt for being glad it hadn't happened to me.
Our church is meeting tonight to coordinate our relief response. The big boys (Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.) are down there now. Our involvement could last several months as we try to find ways to help these folks out of the hole they're in.
Just imagine if you lost EVERYTHING.....
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Well, I lived through the Northridge Earthquake....and while my housing arrangements weren't significantly affected, our family business was rocked pretty good. I know what it is like to arm yourself and drive by looters in the darkness (in well to do neighborhoods no less!), and having to work in the pre-dawn to secure your business and livelihood to get it back up and running.
Somehow, I think an earthquake would scare me more than a hurricane. The sad thing about the looting in Charlotte County is that it is generally not an affluent area. Many of the reitees are midwesterners of modest means. It's definitely not "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" down there. I've spent time in Punta Gorda over the years (as a kid and an adult). There are many outdoorsmen and ranchers there who are quite familiar with firearms. It wouldn't be a good place to be a looter.
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Do help your fellow Americans mauled by this storm. Don't donate to the Red Cross. Because of their post 9/11 behavior and other things.
Additionally, the officers of my PCA church, Covenant Life Presbyterian Church, met last night here in Sarasota and discussed our response. Our church will be the staging base for the PCA's relief efforts. If you wish to help by volunteering time or by donating, please check out the following link: http://www.covenantlifepc.com/news.html
We will be sending teams down to Charlotte County for weeks, so all help will be welcomed.
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