For those of you who do not want to give to Red Cross or United Way for fear it will not get to the people of La. Here is a organization that I have used more than once and believe what they say about 100% of what you donate getting to the right people.
http://www.secondharvest.org
Also here is the link to the American Humane society. They are taking donations to help the pets in need:
http://www.americanhumane.org
I just returned from Dallas and I thought you would like to know.....
For those of you who are concerned about the turning away of buses in Houston. They weren't just 'turned away'. The people were put up in accomodations whether it was local churches or hotels for the night. Then they were re-routed to places(such as Dallas, Austin, San Antonio and Beaumont) where their shelters were not unsafe with overcrowding. Dallas thought initially that they were taking in only 1500 at Reunion Stadium. That become 2500 overnight and then some(estimated that Dallas and Fort Worth may get as much as 20,000 people). Believe me when I tell you that they aren't just being turned away with no place to go, no time to rest and no food and water. There are a vast amount of volunteers who are now running makeshift store outside of these stadiums so that the evacuees could get clothes, toys for the kids, etc. There has also been large bulletin boards erected at every shelter where evacuees are placing notes to locate friends and family members. Jobs fairs will begin on Tuesday to get those who are not still weak and sick from their ordeal into jobs. Sponser families are taking in a great many of these people into their homes to relieve the pressure that these stadiums are feeling. Within the first 48 hours, all food banks were in Houston were declared empty.
One local story: 2 sisters and 1 cousin that live in Dallas called their families in the New Orleans area before Katrina hit. 'Come on over', they said. Between the three houses, there are now about 80 relatives(and their pets)residing. Sleeping bags and pup tents have been put up in the backyards for the kids and the floors are covered with sleeping bags, pallettes of quilts and mats.
I see a lot of negative things on MSN\NBC and CNN. And I know there IS a lot of negative but there is quite a bit of positive too. The spirit of humanity is still alive and well especially here in Texas(and in other places as well but hey I live in Texas  ). I thought those who do not live in the Southern states would like to know what is happening beyond the news, at least in THIS neck of the woods.
NOTE: MyKi: I live 1/2 hr away from Denton which is 1 hr from Dallas so that would be about 31/2 hr drive to Houston. But I lived in Conroe(next door to Houston)for many years and still have a great many friends and family that reside there. I've been burning up those cell phone minutes finding out what is happening there as well.
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