My sister, brother-in-law and their 2 daughters lost everything to the hurricane. Their home was in Metarie. It was under 4 feet of water for several days. While it still stands, the damage was so that it will be uninhabitable for at least a few months. All of their furniture is ruined. The floors are destroyed and have to be relaced. The drywall throughout the entire house has to be torn down and replaced. They are, as of yet, unsure if the water damage to the inner walls is extensive enough to force them to tear them down completely. They also have roof damage, and every single tree around the house was uprooted and has to be removed. All of the appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher, refridgerator, etc.) are unsalvageable and will have to be replaced. They aren't sure exactly how much the damage total will come to, but the number will have at least 4 zeros behind it. We just recently found out that their landlord did not have insurance on the house.
The only possessions they have left are what they brought with them to the hotel. A few outfits each, some books and movies, most of their photos, a laptop, their animals (along with several more they have rescued since the hurricane) and their cars. Everything else was either destroyed outright, is covered in mold/mildew, or is too water logged to save.

During the storms they took refuge in the hotel my sister runs in the French Quarter. There wasn't flooding or much damage caused by the hurricane there, but it was the central location that the looters and junkies flocked to. Along with only having enough food for a few days, having limited power for a few days until the generator died, and not being able to do simple things like bathe or flush the toilet for over a week, they also had to contend with the looters and general crazy people who flocked to the Quarter. They couldn't leave the hotel. They had to stay relatively quiet so as not to attract attention. They barely slept, especially my brother, who had to walk the building with a shotgun every night to try and keep them safe. My sister had to devise and teach her daughters an escape route should they hear gunshots in the building (I emphasis 'in' because you couldn't help but hear the shots from outside). They lived like that until earlier this week.
They are relatively safe now. They have armed guards watching the building, running water from the ground floor to the third floor (though it is apparantly unfit for human consumption, so they still have to rely on bottled water for drinking and any bathing), electricity, and they can leave the hotel as long as they're back by the 6pm city wide curfew. One of the phones in the building actually gets service (albeit unreliable and generally only at night) so I've been able to keep in contact with her.
The girls (one is 14, and the other is celebrating her 11th birthday this weekend) have lost everything. Everything. Somehow they're maintaining an optimistic outlook on things, and have been helping out as much as they can. You have no idea how proud of them I am.

Mostly, they need clothing (all kinds, for all weather), shoes, and money/gift certificates to aid in the house repair (Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, etc.). They've stayed at the hotel to work towards getting it operational again (so my sister can still earn a paycheck). My brother has been working as much as he can doing repair, clean up, and security work for anyone in the area that will have him. They are doing everything they can to help themselves rebuild, they just can't do it alone.

I've set up a PayPal account for monetary donations. There's not a fixed amount, so give as much or as little as you can afford:If you would prefer to donate specific items, or would be more comfortable sending a check payable directly to them, just reply with your contact info or email me (at es_sfx@hotmail.com) and I'll get you my address and whatever other info you'll need. They have requested their location not be disclosed, and out of respect for their wishes I will be sending everything to them directly. If that is in any way uncomfortable for you, I would suggest using the PayPal option as I would be able to generate a receipt for you through them.My sister, brother-in-law and their 2 daughters lost everything to the hurricane. Their home was in Metarie. It was under 4 feet of water for several days. While it still stands, the damage was so that it will be uninhabitable for at least a few months. All of their furniture is ruined. The floors are destroyed and have to be relaced. The drywall throughout the entire house has to be torn down and replaced. They are, as of yet, unsure if the water damage to the inner walls is extensive enough to force them to tear them down completely. They also have roof damage, and every single tree around the house was uprooted and has to be removed. All of the appliances (washer, dryer, dishwasher, refridgerator, etc.) are unsalvageable and will have to be replaced. They aren't sure exactly how much the damage total will come to, but the number will have at least 4 zeros behind it. We just recently found out that their landlord did not have insurance on the house.
The only possessions they have left are what they brought with them to the hotel. A few outfits each, some books and movies, most of their photos, a laptop, their animals (along with several more they have rescued since the hurricane) and their cars. Everything else was either destroyed outright, is covered in mold/mildew, or is too water logged to save.

During the storms they took refuge in the hotel my sister runs in the French Quarter. There wasn't flooding or much damage caused by the hurricane there, but it was the central location that the looters and junkies flocked to. Along with only having enough food for a few days, having limited power for a few days until the generator died, and not being able to do simple things like bathe or flush the toilet for over a week, they also had to contend with the looters and general crazy people who flocked to the Quarter. They couldn't leave the hotel. They had to stay relatively quiet so as not to attract attention. They barely slept, especially my brother, who had to walk the building with a shotgun every night to try and keep them safe. My sister had to devise and teach her daughters an escape route should they hear gunshots in the building (I emphasis 'in' because you couldn't help but hear the shots from outside). They lived like that until earlier this week.
They are relatively safe now. They have armed guards watching the building, running water from the ground floor to the third floor (though it is apparantly unfit for human consumption, so they still have to rely on bottled water for drinking and any bathing), electricity, and they can leave the hotel as long as they're back by the 6pm city wide curfew. One of the phones in the building actually gets service (albeit unreliable and generally only at night) so I've been able to keep in contact with her.
The girls (one is 14, and the other celebrated her 11th birthday Sept. 19th) have lost everything. Everything. Somehow they're maintaining an optimistic outlook on things, and have been helping out as much as they can. You have no idea how proud of them I am.

Mostly, they need clothing (all kinds, for all weather), shoes, and money/gift certificates to aid in the house repair (Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Target, Sears, etc.). They've stayed at the hotel to work towards getting it operational again (so my sister can still earn a paycheck). My brother has been working as much as he can doing repair, clean up, and security work for anyone in the area that will have him. They are doing everything they can to help themselves rebuild, they just can't do it alone.

If you would like to donate specific items, or would be comfortable sending a check payable directly to them, please email me (es_sfx@hotmail.com) and I'll get you whatever other info you'll need. Every little bit helps, and we are all so very greatful for the kindness and generosity we have been shown over the last few weeks. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

I re-located with my ex-husband and moved to Florida with my two daughters.  Needless to say, I went through a horrible divorce that left me in a difficult financial situation. In addition, living through two hurricanes in Florida was about to push me over the edge.   I decided to move back to Missouri and get my old job back.  However, I do not have any money for my oldest daughter to go to college as the younger one will also be going in a year.  My ex-husband does not contribute and I am left to take care of these girls financially for all of their needs. 

Can you please help me find grants, etc. to aid my oldest with her financial needs to attend the University of Missouri-columbia.  Thank you so much and I appreciate any help or advice about funding.

MOM NEEDS HELP!!!!!!!!!! MY NAME IS TONYA MY MOTHER IS A 62 YR OLD SINGLE WOMAN THAT TAKES

CARE OF HER 3YR OLD GRANDSON. SHE LIVES IN LAKE CHARLES LA 615 S. 1ST AVE, BUT IS LIVING

WITH HER BROTHER FOR NOW AT 2231 18TH ST LAKE CHARLES LA 70601. WE HER FAMILY HAS DONE ALL

WE CAN TO FIX HER HOUSE IT LOOKS VERY GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE BUT THE INSIDE STILL NEEDS WORK

THE WALLS NEED TO BE HUNG THE FLOORS NEED TO BE PUT IN AND SOME PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL

WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE. SHE IS ALSO IN POOR HEALTH SHE HAD SURGERY FOR PAD ABOUT 1 YEAR OGO

AND WE DIDNT KNOW IF THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SAVE HER LEG. I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA 14449 BEGONIA

RD #232 VICTORVILLE CA 92392. I SPOKE TO HER TODAY TO SEE HOW HER DOCTORS APPT WENT SHE

SAID THAT HER LEG IS SWOLLEN TWICE THE SIZE OF HER OTHER ONE AND THEY DIDNT KNOW IF SHE

WOULD BE ABLE TO KEEP IT. HER GRANDSON MY NEPHEW IS THE ONE THAT KEEPS HER GOING BUT SHE

DOESNT HAVE THE HEALTH RIGHT NOW TO TAKE CARE OF HIM. I AM GOING TO TRY AND DRIVE OUT TO

PICK HIM UP AND TAKE HIM BACK WITH ME. I TO HAVE HEALTH PROBLEMS AND FINANCIAL I HAVE MS

BUT IM DOING WELL IM NOT IN A WILL CHAIR YET AND I GET AROUND PRETTY GOOD THE PAIN IS JUST

BAD. BUT IM ABOUT FAMILY AND WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES WITHIN MY POWER TO HELP. IF ANYONE

CAN HELP HERE FINISH THE WORK ON HER HOUSE SHE WILL GREATLY APPRICIATE IT. SHE IS READY TO

GET OUT OF HER BROTHER AND SISTER IN-LAW HOUSE WE ALL KNOW HOW LIVING WITH THE IN-LAWS CAN

BE ITS NOT A GOOD SITUATION. THANKS FOR LISTENING. MOTHER LEATRICE ST. ANDREW 337-912-5210

ME TONYA 760-951-8400 CELL 760 792-1043

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Hi, like many good people here I am at a loss as to how to deal with my current situation. I was forced to relocate after Hurricane Katrina. The company I worked for in New Orleans held on until April of this year but could not recover financially so I lost the main support for my three children. I was finally able to find a new job but after 5 months of searching I maxed out everything I had to keep everything covered. Now of course I have my new job but next week I face rent and several other bills coming due that I cannot pay because instead of seeking this help sooner I took out a couple of payday loans not realizing they would eat me alive. I have always helped others and now find myself in need of help. I thank you for your consideration I realize there are many many people in my same situation and pray we all find the way out. I am a hardworking person, I have worked full time since I was 17, I have actually tried several different routes as far as a loan goes however I can't get anyone to lend to me at this point because of the last few months ( no matter what interest rate I was willing to pay). Thanks again for looking, I appreciate and help or guidance you can offer.