UPDATE - May, 2006

Where the Hurricane Katrina Direct Relief blog began, our kitchen table.  Photo - Anne Dowie/New York Times

Dear Friends,

It has been eight months since Hurricane Katrina destroyed communities on the Gulf Coast, and yet, we know the disaster continues for many of our fellow citizens in this region.

The archives of the Hurricane Katrina Direct Relief blog will remain online as a resource for folks who wish to assist these communities with supplies and on-site volunteers. 

With the 2006 hurricane season less than two weeks away, we will be renewing this blog with more information.  In the meantime, if you are interested in sending your generous gifts and/or providing  volunteer time and labor, kindly consider working with the following organizations and projects:

HANDS: Helping Americans Needing Disaster SupportWe have been working with this wonderful relief team since they opened up their supplies center just days after Katrina.  HANDS can set you and your group up with on-site volunteer opportunities and can certainly assist any donors who wish to send supplies and/or monetary donations.

The Giving Circle
As recommended by Sara Ford, a resourceful and creative young woman who assisted her hometown of Waveland, Mississippi with her blog.  The Giving Circle is operating an ongoing relief and rebuilding program in Waveland and are always seeking on-site workers, donations and supplies.

The Bush/Clinton Katrina Fund
Though our efforts on the Hurricane Katrina Direct Relief blog has focused on grassroots, one on one contacts, we wish to draw your attention to the extraordinary organization created by Presidents George H. Bush and Bill Clinton.  Donations will be directed to grants for health, housing, and rebuilding in the impacted Gulf Coast states.  The momentum generated by this unlikely alliance of Republican and Democrat ex-Presidents is note worthy (from the website):  "Since September, the Presidents have raised approximately $115 million; awarded 42 grants, and disbursed more than $53 million through April 30, 2006."

Friends, please email us if you know of any other organization that would benefit from a listing on our blog.  We would be pleased to aid any group doing active relief, rebuilding and hurricane preparation.

Finally, the name of this blog will change on June 1, 2006 to "Hurricane Disaster Direct Relief" in acknowledgement that our work will extend beyond Hurricane Katrina.

Many blessings to all,
Grace Davis, Blog Keeper