I gave money to Mercy Corps instead of the Red Cross precisely because they keep their administrative costs down to 8% and focus on projects like paying Tsunami victims to work on reconstruction projects. I have made my blog, www.kerabu.com, available for entrepreneurs to help other entrepreneurs recover, and there are a growing number of ideas for how to help in an entrepreneurial vein (rather than just by donating) over there.

I called a friend from New Orleans who got out--more about this on my blog--and asked, what do you need? She was an art teacher in NO public school system, and in the five days she's been in Lafayette, has started an after-school arts program for displaced kids. What she needs is art supplies. I asked at Office Depot if they were interested in offering a Katrina discount; they'd already donated a million, but suggested a local independent art store. Great idea! Unfortunately, the owner sees about 1/4-inch in front of his face, and went into a long, blustery monologue about local support and not wanting to get involved. I can tell you, the countergirl cringed; you could just see her wanting to ring up a 10% discount, but whatever, I bought the stuff; it's in the mail.
My point being: give $$ to Mercy Corps, or donate goods, or be like Hillary and create opportunity, or call your friend say, tell me what I can do for you. It's all pushing the same ball forward.

A pashima shawl is such an amazingly thoughtful thing for someone suffering in New Orleans right now!

The material is so nice and soft and absorbent, it's perfect for cleaning off the bottoms of all those poor babies in the Superdome without plumbing who must be suffering from incredibly painful diaper rashes by now.

The usual wipes can hurt so much when their skin is so tender, this will make a big difference.

Let's see... about 9008 people will think to donate baby wipes. And one, a pashima shawl. And this is a problem?
Also, Shiver, may I ask what you're bringing to the party, besides sarcasm?

Hey, nitwit...I gave to the Red Cross, but somebody I care about left the city in the middle of the night with two small children and probably not much more than a diaper bag and a cell phone, leaving just about everything she owns behind. Friends in Dallas have come over with food and clothes and toys for the baby. Maybe at a time like this, having something beautiful and luxurious makes you feel a little better. That was my intention. Perhaps I should have sent her a box of baby wipes and a scratchy t-shirt? They have Target in Dallas. I got her something she, as a pretty self-sacrificing mother, wouldn't have bought herself.

Here's another way to help: There's a semi-trailer parked at 24th and Idaho in Santa Monica, behind Franklin Elementary School. On Monday afternoon it leaves for a church desperately awaiting its arrival in New Orleans -- hopefully filled from floor to ceiling with canned goods, water, soap, clothing, anything that people who lost everything and are living day-to-day might need. The truck and gas are donated (this was organized by two parents at the school who hail from New Orleans) and so everything goes straight to the people who need it. This afternoon my daughter and I went to the 99 Cent store and filled two carts for $100. Tonight we'll clean out our closets. Please consider doing the same if you can, too. Thanks.

Thanks so much...I have clothes going to Out Of The Closet...I'l donate them to Out Of The Flood instead. Do you or does anyone know how late they're open or when? I buy stuff in bulk at Costco, so I can put in a bunch of housewares, too.

Newcomer, thanks! We'll pick up some toiletries and stuff this weekend and get it over there before Monday. Hubby's company and mine are now matching donations to several organizations, so we'll be ponying up some more cash too. It's tragic and heartbreaking what these people are dealing with.

Oops, forgot to mention: They're open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and until 3 p.m. Monday -- when the truck leaves. Thanks to all.

Thought I would add another option for donation. It may seem a bit trivial right now, but there are a lot of animals in trouble out there, too. The ASPCA (aspca.org) and Humane society (hsus.org) appear to be spear-heading the animal relief efforts. If you are able, you might consider dontating to them, as well. -cmt

I'm hearing this morning that the Red Cross is NOT being allowed into New Orleans, presumably because allowing them to provide aid to people there will "delay the evacuation effort". Gah! Like giving someone a bottle of water and a clean pair of underwear is going to make them say "Hey, it's pretty cushy here in the Superdome, even with the overflowing toilets and the bodies rotting in the corner! I think I'll just settle in here!" This is appalling. Just when I think I can't get any more outraged over the incompetence of how this tragedy is being mis-managed, they manage to top themselves.

I have to wash some clothes today to put in. If anyone goes there and the truck is full, can you let me know? We're going to drop stuff off there tonight, otherwise.