Little Katrina Victims in need!

Thanks to Jeff Stimpson for compiling this list!

Benefit Special Needs and Preemie Groups

The New York blackouts of 1998 and 2003 taught me that in times of crisis, special needs become truly special. Though most of the American Gulf Coast didn't experience the sheering of civilization that wracked New Orleans, many agencies throughout the area find themselves in need of supplies, if not in need of a lot more.

To that end, here's a list of organizations in Katrina's path that focus on special needs or premature birth, or both. I've left out many of the huge organizations, such as the Red Cross, that everyone can easily reach, and tried to focus on local, maybe less-famous groups that still need help.

Scroll down until you find a few that catch your eye. I'm sure all these folks need all kinds of help. More are welcome, and as I'll be updating this list through the fall (it's tragically doubtful that the need for donations will evaporate), you may feel free to e-mail me any and all groups you hear of.

Here they are, in no special order:

From the listserv Preemie Child, a reader writes, "A friend of mine is collecting wheelchairs and other disability-related equipment and supplies to truck down to independent living centers in Mississippi and Louisiana who requested help. If there is anyone in Colorado, especially the Denver area, who has supplies or equipment that can be donated, please contact me off list. I can put you in touch with the person collecting the stuff, or I can help arrange pickup. They especially need manual wheelchairs, disposable bed pads, adult diapers, catheters and related supplies, and other supplies." E-mail clucas@DISABILITYPRIDE.COM

Unlocking Autism, based out of Louisiana, is opening a summer camp to victims of Katrina who have special needs children. Camp Yocona, Toccopola, Miss., has agreed to provide shelter for families with ASD (autistic specturm disorder) children. They have cabins that will sleep eight and each group of four to five cabins has a bathhouse. A large, commercial kitchen and dining hall is available. They have a total of 350 beds. A great GFCF cook has offered to come from Hawaii to help cook, etc. Contact Peg Pickering at 662-488-9619 or 662-509-0599. "One thing I keep forgetting to ask for is Ziploc bags of all sizes, and large garbage bags!," write Peg. "Funny, the things you take for granted." They also need clothes and diapers. Address: ASD KATRINA RESCUE, c/o Peg Pickering, 2901 Hwy 9 South, Pontotoc, MS 38863.

From Debbie Sarmento, FRCNCA Coordinator, "For those wanting to help people with disabilities affected by the Katrina disaster, please see the following incredible website: www.katrinadisability.info ." Clearinghouse sites such as this are a great place to start offering all kinds of help.

AutismInfo has another excellent portal for donating information. See http://www.autisminfo.com/Katrina1.htm

From Jennifer in Bossier City, La., an article on preemies surviving Katrina.

Also from the Gulf Coast, Martha writes about http://www.knitsforsanity.typepad.com/preemieproject_homepage/ and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thepreemieproject/ , two sites seeking enthusiastic knitters in Iowa who would like to knit for a good cause. Not specific to Katrina victims, I think, but still most worthy. Martha also chimes in with Charitable Crafters, and a self-care primer for the pregnant in emergencies, from the March of Dimes. ("Yes, we are alive!" writes Martha. "We have no gas anywhere in town!")

Speaking of the March of Dimes, which is in the middle of a nationwide prematurity awareness campaign, check with MOD's chapters in Mississippi and Louisiana to see what they need most.

Family Voices is collecting for its volunteer leaders on the ground in the affected states. Donations will pay for such items and services as anti-bacterial wipes, diapers, phone cards, medical care, cash for medications, gas and food, rent, toys, and clothing. FV leaders will also help families negotiate the maze that comes with finding temporary shelter, working with insurance companies, filling out forms, signing up for new schools. See www.familyvoices.org. You may donate through PayPal or at Family Voices, 2340 Alamo SE, Suite 102, Albuquerque, N.M., 87106. Please mark your donation "Families Helping Families". All donations are tax-deductible. If you have any questions about the Families Helping Families Relief Fund or Family Voices, please contact Rachel Tallman, rtallman@familyvoices.org, at the Family Voices National Office at 1-888-835-5669.

Donate directly to the Texas Children's Hospital. Reference "Katrina Kid Relief" in the "in honor of" field.

The Centers for Independent Living in Biloxi and New Orleans have been gravely affected by Katrina. "Sending money is the first priority," says donation organizers. "Sending supplies to those centers is helpful, too, but not right now, because they can't get through the water." Send a check or credit card payment to the Red Cross and designate it for Hurricane Relief, or designate it for people with disabilities in the Biloxi/Hattiesburg or New Orleans areas. If you want to send money directly for the CILs dealing with this disaster, here are your options: For the Biloxi Center, mail the check (payable to LIFE of Central MS and designated for the Biloxi Center) to: LIFE of Central Mississippi, 754 North President Street, Suite 1, Jackson, MS 39202. For the centers in Louisiana (make checks payable to Resources for Independent Living - this is a branch of the N.O. center - and designate for the New Orleans center) and mail to: Resources for IL, 11931 Industriplex Blvd. Suite 200, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Centers in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles are assisting evacuees. They would also appreciate supplies if there is any way to get those supplies to the centers. The wish list includes manual wheelchairs, hospital beds, adult diapers, bed pads, catheters, and other supplies. The address for the Baton Rouge center is shown above, addresses for the Shreveport and Lake Charles centers are Southwest LA Independence Center, Inc., Mitch Granger, 1202 Kirkman, Suite C, Lake Charles, LA 70601; and New Horizons, Inc., Jerry Kidwell, 9300 Mansfield Road, Suite 204, Shreveport, LA 71118.

TheArcLink has created a clearinghouse so that family members, case managers, service coordinators or advocates can list people or families who need support. In addition, people from anywhere in the country can use the site at www.thearclink.org to offer , and other assistance. There are many people who can offer their personal services to assist in the transition of people into new locations and services, or to contribute other volunteer time, either in person or via phone. Anyone who knows of hurricane victims in Alabama, Louisiana, or Mississippi with special needs and/or families who need immediate services and supports can list them on the site. Site visitors can submit the names of those in need of temporary or permanent jobs, and can relocate or people in need of assistance can list themselves. Employers with job opportunities can list them on the site, particularly jobs with disability services organizations or other human services agencies. The site is open to any employer in any field that has jobs to offer displaced hurricane victims. In addition to employment postings, the site can be used to offer short-term or long-term housing to those fleeing from areas affected by Katrina. Specific to people with disabilities, group home vacancies and related day services opportunities can be listed. Those wishing to make a financial donation to people with intellectual disabilities can visit The Arc of the United States site at www.thearc.org and click on the red Donate Now button. To visit the Katrina Special Needs Assistance Page, go to www.thearclink.org and click on "Katrina Special Needs Relief."

MUMS will match families who are willing to take a victim family into their home. Write to Julie at mums@netnet.net

The Autism Society of America is accepting donations. Visit http://www.autism-society.org/ where you will find the donation box on the home page.

From Deb Discenza of Preemie Magazine comes this great localized list: Alabama Parent Information Resource Center; Parent Information Resource Center of Central Alabama; Special Education Action Committee; Families Helping Families; the YWCA of Baton Rouge ; AJFC Parent Information and Resource Center; Mid-Shore Community Foundation; and the Mississippi Forum on Children and Families.