From Red Cross blurb:

Within hours of being notified by the local EMA, the Red Cross will open its designated shelters. Shelter residents are asked to bring their own bedding, flashlights, prescription medicines, and other personal care items. However, the Red Cross always provides cots, blankets and other supplies for the frail elderly and those with special needs [they should have added "only] . The Red Cross does not provide shelter accommodations for individuals with special medical needs, such as respirators. Individuals with special medical needs are encouraged to contact their health care providers to make special arrangements during a disaster.

What this means for the average person is the Red Cross will provide volunteer organization of a public facility (usually a school gym) and very little else. So where does all the donated money go? Hmmm. Far as I know, there are no facilities for cooking food. I believe the RC did provide cots for most people here in Durham. Pets are not permitted, of course, but you can leave them in your car outside. There are usually no bathing facilities. A nurse is often provided, whether by RC or local govt, I don't know. But I do know that a police officer was assigned to each shelter.

The Salvation Army provided meals for sheklter inhabitants and for any emergency workers, including linemen, who could get to their meals site. They also provided clean sweat suits for special needs patients. GGuess you know where I'll donate money this Christmas. But then, I always do give to the SA. And, by the way, they haven't sung their own praises as the Red Cross has.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

Answers

hmmm, meals for linemen. Here's a thought: If one is in an area such as this with linemen from other states, how about bringing some food or coffee or something like that to the men in the field.

for example, after Andrew in Miami we had crews running all new wires throughout Dade from about the middle on down south to the keys. When they came to our neighborhood and in fact to our own pole, we and a couple other neighbors barbequed some chicken and ribs and the guys were invited to enjoy a meal with us. A couple other crews nearby also stopped in. I'd say the cost of it all was about 50 bucks for food, drinks and charcoal. It was fun. We didn't do any potato salad or things like that because we didn't have much in the way of cold storage, but we did have a fresh salad to go with it since grocery stores were open a few blocks away.

I think a thermos of coffee and some doughnuts would go a long way for a typical crew of about seven men. the good will alone would stand for a lot, don't you think?

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

Around here, the RC is full of bored Yuppie spouses who like to sit around in meetings talking about all the work they do.

All of my donations have been going to the Salvation Army (and also the Volunteers of America) for a long time. The local VOA puts the mentally challenged to work recycling furniture and clothing for their stores, a good source for $5 blue jeans and other clothing.

Too much work for the RC ladies . . .

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

Barefoot, the workers in our area aren't supposed to accept food or drinks from customers, but I'd sure be hauling water and coffee around if such were the case here. A happy crew works harder.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

I'd provide the coffee if one of the neighbors would drive me to find a crew but they would think I was crazy. You don't know these people. Not one--NOT ONE!--called to see if I was okay, even though they know Sweetie is out of state. I was out on the front this morning, sawing up limbs with a little bow saw and do you think any of those driving by stopped to sympathize, offer a hand, or even wave? Hell, no! It's a dead-end street so just about everyone going by lives on these three blocks.

Durham has decreed that limbs are to be sawn into 3-4 foot pieces and "piled neatly" at the curb. All the other areas are sending around one of those claw trucks and will take just about any size limb. I was so pissed, I was tempted to put Christmas ribbon and bows around neat little bundles.

I have four or five limbs too fat to saw and they can stay there untl I can get them cut in pieces. I'm not going to worry about it.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

You probably didn't look pathetic enough while you were out front sawing.

never heard of not being allowed to accept coffee or doughnuts or whatever, but, if it slows them down i can see how it would be discouraged. i was thinking more along the lines of just giving them the thermos and a pack of doughnuts and let them deal with it on their break.

When we did the bbq it was dinner time for us anyway and the guys stayed to get us connected instead of coming back tomorrow. they ended up coming back anyway because one of my wires was missed so I only had partial power.

IIRC, most of them were from Georgia. You know how southerners are about their barbeque! LOL

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

OG, if I were there, I'd help you saw branches. Just do a little at a time and forget your stupid neighbors. On my street, all feuds and hard feelings are put aside when disaster strikes, at least so far. When a tree comes down in our street, it isn't long before several people with chain saws are out hacking at it. They may not be speaking to each other, but they help get it out of the way. The same is true during snow storms. It takes the city forever to do anything, so we take care of our area.

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

These are the ones who don't want a neighborhood watch becauase it scares them; they don't want to know. It's a strange culture. They'll help each other but will not help "strangers," even though this stranger has shoveled icy driveways, taken food to the ill, and mowed lawns when neighbors have been in the hospital. They just will NOT accept strangers (a stranger means anyone not from West Durham).

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2002

especially when you have funny looking people visit you from Florida.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2002

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2002

Ugh! This shelter thread is making me consider buying one of those propane camping showers. I can imagine the reek in the shelters. after three days.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2002

at least the school gym has showers.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2002