TRAVEL EDITORS' BLOG:
In mid-December, Associate Travel Editor Wanda McKinney and other staff members traveled to New Orleans. They found a city filled with opening restaurants, hotels, and attractions. So come on back to the Big Easy. They’re ready for company!
Editor's Blog: French Quarter Open for Business, Part I
Editor's Blog: French Quarter Open for Business, Part II.
Associate Livings Editor Nick Patterson recently traveled to three south Mississippi towns to aid in hurricane cleanup efforts.
Southern Living Senior Writer Donna Florio and Associate Foods Editor Kate Nicholson recently visited damaged towns in Mississippi and New Orleans.
Assistant Features Editor Suzanne Powell Mills recently visited Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, with a volunteer group from Birmingham, Alabama.
Associate Travel Editor Wanda McKinney traveled to Louisiana in late September 2005 to find many tourist destinations open and ready for visitors.
Visiting the French Quarter after Hurricane Katrina (prior to Hurricane Rita): Travel Editor Morgan Murphy gives a first-hand account of the clean-up effort.
HURRICANE RELIEF MESSAGE BOARDS:
Tell us what people in your local town are doing to help Americans displaced by the hurricane. Please post any volunteer events, fundraisers, and donation ideas here.
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas
Business Owners: Tell Us What's Back Open
The Southeast and Beyond...
MONETARY DONATIONS
If you would like to make a contribution to disaster relief efforts, visit these Web sites to find out how.
American Red Cross
www.redcross.org or 1-800-HELP-NOW
Habitat for Humanity Donations
Operation Home Delivery: Help hurricane victims rebuild their lives.
America's Second Harvest: The nation's food bank network
Every dollar helps distribute nearly 4 bags of food.
Animal Humane Society
The Humane Society of the United States is on the ground in the most devastated areas of the Gulf Coast. The animals are counting on us...and we are counting on you.
Bush - Clinton Katrina Fund
This charitable fund will collect cash and in-kind donations and work with the governors of the affected states to coordinate both the short and long term relief efforts.
Salvation Army Donations: Hurricane Relief Fund 2005
Salvation Army in USA serving storm survivors with food and shelter in 30 states
CNN.com Special Hurricane Help Center
Full list of disaster relief organizations aiding in the recovery process.
Alabama Governor's Emergency Relief Fund
www.servealabama.gov
1-877-273-5018
Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation
www.louisiana.gov
1-877-HELPLA1
Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund
1-866-230-8903
FOOD DONATIONS
Food Donations to Secondharvest.org
Whether it's a truckload or a partial case, America's Second Harvest delivers your food donation to where it is needed most.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Health Care Professionals and Relief Workers
The Office of The Surgeon General and the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness are in the process of mobilizing and identifying healthcare professionals and relief personnel to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As our nation and global community is now aware, the healthcare needs resulting from Katrina are critical.
Lend a Hand Re-building Homes
If you have experience with post-disaster conditions and would like to help, please get in touch with Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org).
Volunteer Efforts at Your Local Food Bank
You can help out in your local community through activities such as sorting, boxing and repackaging donated food to be directed where it's needed most. Addressing the needs of displaced survivors will be critical over the next several months.
FUNDRAISING IDEAS
food drives (set up your own food drive)
car washes
music concerts
bake sales
host a supper club that sponsors a charity
gift card drive for grocery stores, phones and home goods
art charity auction
HURRICANE EVACUEES SOURCE GUIDE
Habitat for Humanity: Let Us Know About Your Housing Need
Information for Evacees Impacted by Hurricane Katrina
Southern Living and its corporate affiliates have no connection with and do not endorse those entities or web sites referenced above. While we have made every effort to authenticate the information listed, this content is provided solely as a courtesy and for your reference only. We urge you to conduct your own independent investigation before donating to any charity or organization.
