I used to run away to the Joisy shore. I love Sandy Hook, Red Bank, West Long Branch, Sea Bright. I met interesting people. I soothed my soul from terrible losses there.
So I am offering my three little blogs on the area here.
Red Bank I
Red Bank II
Red Bank III
And that will be the end of it for now. I am hoping that there will be a way for us all to figure out ways to help in the long-term. Federal, state, and local funding cannot possibly cover everything that will need to be re-built and re-bought for schools, community centers, mom and pop businesses and homes.
I only wish I had the know-how to form an enormous nonprofit. One that would be able to raise a whole lot of money up front and then continue to receive donations over the next year at least. I wish I could convince the nightly national news show to, in another three months, give a weekly update on rebuilding the devastated areas of the five or six states with the WORST damage. I wish that such an organization could have the "text this number for an instant ten bucks donation." An organization that could partner with various big stores that would give matching funds even for big gift cards that would be distributed to, oh, I don't know--schools and community organizations, or even individual families that are in long-term temporary houses.
I wish I had the money, the know how, the health to do something grand, but I don't. I am just Jeannette, living here in an apartment in the Land of Malls. I have my wonderful handful of readers who seem to find me even after I disappear for months. And my income is way below the poverty line--I'm just lucky because I sold my home and have some money in the bank. NO, I should not say that this is the only reason I am lucky. I am far luckier than that: so many dear friends both here, in person and now, out there in cyberspace, connections through my church community, a wonderful place to live in, and I am STILL walking, and I have GOOD healthcare through, yes, Medicare. I was without insurance for almost a year while I waited for disability. The ONLY insurance I could buy cost $1500/month, just for the premiums, and my out of pocket cost for appointments was $50.
So I am lucky. But how I wish I knew how to help beyond my small, small part. And I'll bet there are people all over who wish they could, too, just as we wanted to help with Katrina, with earthquakes on the other side of the world, with monsoons and hurricanes elsewhere. Now the USA needs help from all her citizens and anyone else.
And I do not know how to make more happen. I hope someone else WILL.
May you all be safe, have homes that remain in tact, and hug your loved ones REALLY close. Oops! My phone rang and my son is coming over to use my shower. Well, I can help there, can't I...
Love to you all.
Accidental Spring
"Accidental Spring" This began as the background for painting other papers, but became something else!
7 comments:
Why do we love you? We love you because although your income is small you are ready, willing and trying to reach out to other people. My little bit will be a donation to the Red Cross. It won't be a huge amount, but I do believe (I have to believe) that every little helps.
Thank you, EC. Thank you so much.
Jeannette,
Glad to see you are doing OK. The magnitude of the damage of the storm is staggering. The little that I watch TV, I have yet to see one advertisement for relief aid for Sandy but have managed to see the same tired political ads that have been on for months. Honestly, there are people out there who still don't know who they are voting for? Amazing.
I have made a donation to Red Cross. One must be careful with donating to specialty organizations set up for the purpose of aiding disaster programs. It is easy to set up a website, make a killing, and disappear from the web. Make sure when donating that the relief organization is real. Also for people who are repairing damage, make sure the people you deal with are legitimate. Remember back in Katrina, the flood of "contractors" who rushed in to help people rebuild, got their hands on emergency reconstruction funds and disappeared. Such people are a special grade of bastards for whom I make exceptions in my disbelief in the existence of hell.
Jeannette,
For a limited time the Weather Channel is matching donations to the Red Cross up to $1,000,000.
http://www.redcross.org/sandy?utm_source=weather_channel&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=hurricanesandy
Thank you Sextant. And I know what you mean about scam fundraising organizations... it was more wishful thinking on my part. I have sent your link to some friends--I appreciate this so much.
"I have my wonderful handful of readers who seem to find me even after I disappear for months."
I hope I'm one.
Wishing you well.
Mile to the hume ajnabi ban kar,
aur fir mere jine ki vajha ban gaye. satta king
play bazaar
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