Remembering our Gulf Coast neighbors on Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary

Today is the 3rd anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I am humbled by the resilience of those who fought to get their lives back after the unreal devastation of that storm. People who lost family members, friends, homes, pets and businesses in Bay St Louis, MS ~ Waveland, MS ~ St Bernard Parish ~ NOLA ~ Lower Ninth Ward ~ Biloxi, MS (too many communities to list here). Yet, they would not give up! Rebuilding not only their own lives, but helping loved ones, neighbors & strangers to do the same. Add to that the outpouring of assistance and care from every state.... and around the world. It is awe-inspiring!

Several friends in New Orleans are asking for our positive thoughts as they nervously watch the approach of Hurricane Gustav. I know shelters and charities in Oklahoma City are gearing up to receive possible evacuees, in case of emergency. Patients from hospitals in Louisiana are already being transported to one of our medical centers.

Please, remember the people of the Gulf Coast!

Of course, the Red Cross is preparing to help. I am soooooooo proud of my fellow Moonlight (tv show) fans for supporting such an important organization with countless blood drives and donations :)

For those who want to donate &/or volunteer ~
http://www.redcross.org/

Charity Fundraiser ~ Dining Out for Life on July 17th

What are you doing for dinner on Thursday night? Just by eating a delicious meal, you can help raise much needed money for the NO/AIDS Task Force. The charity fundraiser is Dining Out For Life. Lots of wonderful New Orleans restaurants are participating. Thursday evening, 25% of their proceeds will be donated to the charity. Waiter staff will have envelopes available for additional donations, if you wish to give more $$$. Those who donate extra cash will be entered to win a stay at the International House Hotel or the W New Orleans - French Quarter. Even better, your waiter will also be entered to win this great prize. *cheer*

Here are just a few of the delicious restaurants that are participating ~ Louisiana Pizza Kitchen Uptown & French Market, Cafe Degas, Muriel's Jackson Square, Joey K's, House of Blues, Marigny Brasserie, Arabesque, 7 on Fulton, N'awlins Flava Cafe, Hookah Cafe, Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine, Eat New Orleans, Bywater Bar-B-Que, Feeling Cafe, etc. For a full listing, check out their website.

One restaurant is having their event on Friday night (July 18th) only.... Minacapelli's Dinner Playhouse in Slidell.

Dining Out for Life
Dine Out, Fight AIDS
Thursday, July 17th, 2008
6:00 PM
Benefiting NO/AIDS Task Force
HIV & AIDS Charity
http://www.noaidstaskforce.org/

Search and donate money to rebuilding NOLA!

Have you heard about GoodSearch.com? It is a division of the Yahoo Search engine. Donations are made to your favorite charity or school every time you search the web using Good Search! Another cool thing is, if the organization you want to donate to is not listed, you can add it to the GoodSearch database.

I don't know about you, but I am constantly looking for stuff online. Now, we can make some good $$$ for whatever charity or school we choose. :) Oooooo.... also, it does not cost you anything ~ FREE!

www.goodsearch.com

Mercy Corps Katrina Kit

Mercy Corps is a venerable charitable organization which has been helping people around the world for years. Currently, they have a "Katrina Rebuilding Kit" available for a donation of $100! Of course, you may also simply choose to donate any amount instead of specifically purchasing the kit. You can still designate that you want your money used for revitalizing NOLA and the Gulf Coast.

www.mercycorps.org/mercykits/970
or by phone ( 888 ) 256-1900