Welcome to the Second Life Forums Archive

These forums are CLOSED. Please visit the new forums HERE

What are you doing?

Paris Cellardoor
Jefa del Cartel
Join date: 28 Dec 2003
Posts: 867
09-02-2005 12:50
Darko and I are on the frontlines as of today. Darko has received many Hurricane Katrina refugees from New Orleans at work and he has told me that these poor ppl are devasted. We just want to cry because it is just heartbreaking to see these ppl in such shock and not knowing what to do. We have given them clothes, fed them lunch, given them a place to stay and have given them our phone number to call us anytime if they need to talk or need some help. So for those of you who have made some pretty disgusting remarks about these poor ppl like they should have started walking to evacuate, why don't you look at the bigger picture. These are human beings and they need us. I would like to give my thanks to those who are doing something to help. Fuck what politics are involved in this, everyone at least needs to think if they were in their shoes. Just want to share this with the SL community.
_____________________
Cybin Monde
Resident Moderator (?)
Join date: 27 Jan 2004
Posts: 2,468
simply stated..
09-02-2005 12:59
you guys rock!

i'm glad to see things like this, what you guys are doing is tremendously helpful.. i'm sure there are others helping however they can and i say 'thanks' to them as well.

good work guys.. it belies my belief in the goodness of humanity. :)
_____________________
"We, as developers, are doing the easy part – building the scaffolding for a new world. You, as the engines of creation, must breathe life into it."
- Philip Linden

"There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination. Living there, you'll be free if you truly wish to be."
- Willy Wonka (circa 1971)

SecondSpace (http://groups.myspace.com/secondspace) : MySpace group for SLers.
MagicJustSue Kojima
Registered User
Join date: 30 Mar 2004
Posts: 110
09-02-2005 13:14
Bless You and Darko, Paris. :) There are many ways those of us who live far removed can contribute to the relief effort, and I hope everyone finds a way that works best for them.
Paolo Portocarrero
Puritanical Hedonist
Join date: 28 Apr 2004
Posts: 2,393
09-02-2005 13:20
Bravo! On Tuesday, I made my first donation to the Red Cross. Today, my company collected massive amounts of non-perishable goods for distribution to the various refuge areas. My state, Texas, is taking in the majority of the displaced. San Antonio, for instance, has dipped into its own emergency funds to install air conditioning units on huge buildings on the former Kelly AFB. They are expecting upwards of 25,000 to eventually seek refuge, there.

All of that said, this tragedy is "us," this time. SL and N. Americans have done a wonderful job of coming to the aid of other disasters; this one deserves no less of our attention. Charity fatigue is a real phenomenon, but let's not allow it to stop us!
_____________________
Facades by Paolo - Photo-Realistic Skins for Doods
> Flagship store, Santo Paolo's Lofts & Boutiques
> SLBoutique
Paris Cellardoor
Jefa del Cartel
Join date: 28 Dec 2003
Posts: 867
09-02-2005 13:31
Awesome! Darko and I live in Dallas, TX so we are getting alot of refugees. That is so awesome that you all are helping in whatever way you can. ONE LOVE!
_____________________
Anya Dmytryk
i <3 woxy!
Join date: 13 Jul 2005
Posts: 413
09-02-2005 13:36
that's awesome paris! i just donated $ to the red cross, and have filled out volunteer forms with several relief organizations. my bf & i have several boxes of clothes we are going to donate as well. i'm trying to sign up for a red cross volunteer class as well, but they are ALL FULL! that's good news.
_____________________
Into the Mist
Aglia (234,41)
Darkwood (105,26)
Elven Glen (129,10)

Elven, fae, celtic & fantasy designs. Affordably priced avatars, wings, clothing, and more. Splashable water & waterfall L$1.

SLboutique store
SL Exchange Store
Rose Karuna
Lizard Doctor
Join date: 5 Jun 2004
Posts: 3,772
09-02-2005 14:36
I know this is kind of trivial in light of all the human suffering and loss but...


The AKC Companion Animal Recovery, an affiliate of the American Kennel Club is a public service to help pet owners reunite with their lost animals via identification and live operators, the organization has enrolled over 3,000,000 companion animals and recovered over 280,000 lost pets. They did a lot during hurricanes here in Florida.

For more information, visit http://www.akc.org

It's something close to my heart and when I read about the homeless guy in NO who faced the hurricane with is cat and the little boy vomiting because he was so upset that he had to leave his dog at the Superdome because he could not bring it on the bus... :(

I contribute animal food, money, I shelter and I try and help re-unite.

I also gave via work for people (there is no way that I can travel to the area, but I would if I could.)

- but I wanted to mention this because not only people have been displaced and if I could see one persons face light up because they have been re-united with their beloved pet that they thought they lost it would be worth it.
_____________________
I Do Whatever My Rice Krispies Tell Me To :D
Chance Abattoir
Future Rockin' Resmod
Join date: 3 Apr 2004
Posts: 3,898
09-02-2005 15:23
From: Paolo Portocarrero
My state, Texas, is taking in the majority of the displaced. San Antonio, for instance, has dipped into its own emergency funds to install air conditioning units on huge buildings on the former Kelly AFB.


Former? When did they shut Kelly down? Damn, you're making me feel old. I must have been away for a while.
_____________________
"The mob requires regular doses of scandal, paranoia and dilemma to alleviate the boredom of a meaningless existence."
-Insane Ramblings, Anton LaVey
Chance Abattoir
Future Rockin' Resmod
Join date: 3 Apr 2004
Posts: 3,898
09-02-2005 15:27
This is a general question that maybe someone can answer on the front lines. I'm really curious to know what exactly these people are going to do for employment while their city is unavailable for the next few months. How will they make a living? Will they have jobs when they go back? Can the government put them to work somehow, maybe start labor camps of some sort (shut up with the holocaust references, I know you're all thinking them, but I'm being serious) to make replacement clothing or plant crops to feed them to ease the burden on taxpayers to house them?

--Not to mention how many debt collectors will probably be sent after these poor people when they haven't worked for months and their credit bills have gone unpaid.

Just curious.
_____________________
"The mob requires regular doses of scandal, paranoia and dilemma to alleviate the boredom of a meaningless existence."
-Insane Ramblings, Anton LaVey
Jonquille Noir
Lemon Fresh
Join date: 17 Jan 2004
Posts: 4,025
09-02-2005 15:57
From: Chance Abattoir
This is a general question that maybe someone can answer on the front lines. I'm really curious to know what exactly these people are going to do for employment while their city is unavailable for the next few months. How will they make a living? Will they have jobs when they go back? Can the government put them to work somehow, maybe start labor camps of some sort (shut up with the holocaust references, I know you're all thinking them, but I'm being serious) to make replacement clothing or plant crops to feed them to ease the burden on taxpayers to house them?

--Not to mention how many debt collectors will probably be sent after these poor people when they haven't worked for months and their credit bills have gone unpaid.

Just curious.


I don't know about the majority, of course, but some news I have heard... Harrah's Entertainment Group (I believe it's called, they own Paris Las Vegas, The Rio -which they are also offering rooms to refugees in- among many many other casinos and hotels) has had 4 casinos completely wiped out by the hurricane. They've opened up 2 of their other hotel-casinos in the area as staging points for the Red Cross and disaster relief. They are going to continue paying all the casino and hotel employees (hundreds of them) for at least a couple months, and possibly until they can rebuild, if anyone can rebuild. I don't work for them (though one of my brothers does), so it isn't a plug, but I do admire that even though they've taken a big hit themselves, they know they can afford it and won't use it to screw people. I hope more companies follow this lead.

Several mortgage companies have been 'generous' enough to extend mortgage payments for a couple or few months to disaster victims, but none have offered to default them for destroyed homes. (Personally, I'd default and let them take the house, if they can find it all.)


For my own personal efforts, I'm being far more selfish. I'm trying to get my brother and his 'pack' out of New Orleans, and trying to make sure they have some place to call home when they do finally get out. I feel for all the victims of Katrina, but right now I'm looking out for my own, because it's all I can afford to do.
_____________________
Little Rebel Designs
Gallinas
Cessee Hedges
needs to stay on task.
Join date: 19 Oct 2004
Posts: 91
helping where we can...
09-02-2005 17:04
I'm glad there are organizations to help the humans. I'm part of one of the groups that helps pets by transporting abandoned/homeless/shelter animals to foster care (and permanent homes too). We even take in a few ourselves along the way. We'll probably start transporting hurricane rescues next week and I'll be a foster mama again! Don't know what I'll get, but I'm a "special needs" foster home for dogs with no size limitation (I love big dogs!) and for cats. I'll have pics as soon as the new babies get here, so I'll be showing them off in world. :D

We'd like to take people, but with five cats and two dogs already, adding a couple of foster cats and dogs just seems the route for us to go. And who knows... all the ones we have now were rescues... ;)

So, Rose, don't worry... we'll get them rescued, one tail at a time...
_____________________
Usually edited to correct grammar or typos...

"Any sufficiently advanced bug is indistinguishable from a feature."
-Rich Kulawiec
Jonquille Noir
Lemon Fresh
Join date: 17 Jan 2004
Posts: 4,025
09-02-2005 18:35
For anyone who has been in contact with refugees, I strongly urge you to list them on the forums/contact pages of http://www.nola.com and http://www.sunherald.com

I'm sure there are other sites as well, but these are the two I've heard most about. Another email contact mentioned the craiglists as a place where people are posting who have missing loved ones.

If you have the time, please post the names of those who you know have made it out to these lists, and any contact information you may have for them. Many people are also posting to these lists offering to take refugees into their homes, and/or with information where they can find some comfort and shelter.

Thanks to everyone who are doing anything to help. It will all add up.
_____________________
Little Rebel Designs
Gallinas
Lecktor Hannibal
YOUR MOM
Join date: 1 Jul 2004
Posts: 6,734
09-02-2005 18:36
I have two free bedrooms and am contacting authorities tomorrow to offer up for family refugees. I tried to get back in uniform today to go shoot looters in the head but they said no :(
_____________________
YOUR MOM says, 'Come visit us at SC MKII http://secondcitizen.net '

From: Khamon Fate
Oh, Lecktor, you're terrible.

Bikers have more fun than people !
Olympia Rebus
Muse of Chaos
Join date: 22 Feb 2004
Posts: 1,831
09-02-2005 20:31
I had planned my first trip to New Orleans in about six weeks. Then came Katrina. Since I was planning to stay at a hotel casino, I donated much of my "gambling stake" to the Red Cross. I figured, had the disaster not occured, New Orleans would have gotten my money anyway; and if I could afford to blithly dump it into video poker machines, I could certianly aford to donate it to people who needed it.
_____________________