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I am again asking you to help support our Mississippi teachers. As you probably know from the news our area was devastated and we are still stuggling to make a comeback. It will take many years to recover and I am positive that we will but, in the meantime, educating our children can't be put aside while waiting to rebuild our Coast. Only one week remains and this campaign will come to an end September 30th. Don't do it for me.. do it for our children!

There are two challenges that are almost at completion. The one entitled "Picture This" is a teacher in my hometown of Pascagoula. No amount is too small, $5, $10 .. whatever you can give.  Thank You!

DonorsChoose is a 501(c)(3) charity incorporated in the State of New York. EIN# 13-4129457.  For tax purposes, the sum of your gift is deductible to the full extent of the law as no goods or services were provided.


Mississippi Back To School Campaign

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MISSISSIPPI BACK TO SCHOOL CAMPAIGN


Only a short time left in this fundraising campaign to help our Mississippi teachers. Their requests are very attainable ones if you take the time to read what they believe as an educator will help the children. It is only through philantropy that the challenge I offer you can be reached.

THANKS Y'ALL!!!

A Fund Raiser I'm Not

Let me tell you why every now and then when you come to my blog that you might be greeted with a banner or a link to help fund some of the teacher's projects in Mississippi. The answer is because I can't say NO when it pertains to giving to a worthy cause. I would have preferred to just be concerned with my entries on the happenings in our Katrina destroyed areas. That's right I would have rather talked disaster than try to raise money. I never was good at it .... I was the giver not the taker. For instance, I found myself many times sitting at a crowded table with colleagues and when the check came it just lay there.. guess who picked up the tab. You are correct!!!

Without a $10 donation from my daughter and a generous $75.00 donation toward my challenge from a wonderful friend .. I guess I would have just cried but instead I sent my daughter $25.00 toward her challenge and said yes to a $50.00 pledge to Mississippi's Police Fund from Laurel, MS. My daughter has written a humorous post on her blog that gives testimony to our plight as fundraisers.

For All Your Fundraising Needs

I received a very generous donation of $75.00 from a caring individual who wants to help our Mississippi schools to recover from the ill effects they suffered from the cruel lashing the Coast endured from Hurricane Katrina. The campaign will end on September 30th. No contribution is too small. Help our schools .. Thank You!!

Mississippi Back To School Campaign

Help Our Schools

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Mississippi Back To School Campaign

Please help our schools reach their full potential. My challenge is below. Thank you!


Mississippi Back To School Campaign

From time to time through the month of September I will put a link and any progress notification on my blog. I received an email that stated that my donation accomplished this: "You have given resources to 40 students and supported 30 hours of instruction and homework!" I started my blog with talking about Katrina and what it did to our lives in Mississippi. I did volunteer work reaching out to the people in need. ALL of us were in need, rich or poor. The devastation still exists in our schools. If you can help meet the challenge I offer in any way, large or small, please click on the link I have provided, it will take you to my challenge. Thank You!


Mississippi Back To School Campaign

I received an email today asking if I would display a banner on my blog to help Mississippi schools. I made a $150.00 donation to what I think is a worthy cause and I am hoping that you too may do the same. No amount is too small. Please take a moment of your time by clicking on the banner in the sidebar and read what it is about and then click on the link I have provided below to help me reach my challenge. A copy of my donation is below. The campaign ends September 30th. I offer you this challenge.. Thank you! Mississippi Back To School Campaign

Thank you for your commitment to fund "Using a Computer to Communicate with the World." We look forward to receiving your check for $150.00 sent to:

DonorsChoose
347 West 36th Street
Suite 503
New York NY 10018

Please write in the memo, "For project number ," and include a print-out from the website or of this email. You will then receive recognition of your donation, for tax-deduction purposes. Later, we will send you feedback on the impact of your contribution.

On behalf of the students and their teacher, thank you for your generosity!

Yours,

Robert Boyd
Executive Director, DonorsChoose Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama

In May 2003, Vanessa Weiss, daughter of Mary Weiss, was killed in a car accident while riding as a passenger. Vanessa was only days away from celebrating her 16th birthday. Minnesota Helpers is a non profit organization that aids victims of disasters. The memory of Vanessa is honored each time a volunteer reaches out to people through minnesotahelpers.org

Although the daughter and I give our names, on many occasions we are both called "Vanessa". We let it stand uncorrected as we think it is perfect.

Yesterday we went shopping for more supplies to distribute when we can coordinate our time to get "on the road again". Gee .... There's that song again!

Today we are in Pascagoula, Ms. as a couple of helping hands for a non profit organization from Minnesota. Mary Gray is the CEO and founder. You can read more about this wonderful group by going to minnesotahelpers.org

Volunteer work is hard work but the most rewarding work I have ever done. My daughter and I were tired as we were up late packing boxes with items people were in need of. What we couldn't fit into the box, we carried. As the picture shows, only a woman can manage to carry many things and not drop one. My chin is bowed slightly to hold the mattress cover in place.

Teamwork completed our mission in under two hours. Next picture is a house under repair. The request of aid for necessities here was not for the resident but for her mother.

Has your heart broken in two, as mine has, for the plight of all the victims of a storm said to be the worse natural disaster in the United States? My daughter's home sustained major damage. My damages are what I call minor irritations. Over the years, I have lived in Biloxi, Gulfport and now once more in my hometown, Pascagoula. I personally know people all along the coast and I grieve for their losses. A building we once conducted business from was damaged by Camille and laid to rest by Katrina. Historical homes that were our heritage were destroyed. Majestic oaks that are hundreds of years old, now show their age. Despite this, Mississippians are courageous people and although many struggles lie ahead, we will rebuild for the future generation.

More to come ...

Today we were on the road again for Operation Vanessa! I was driving and had to turn the volume down on the radio each time the daughter's cell phone rang. Loud music gives me the same adrenaline rush as chocolate. We were on our way to Gulfport, Mississippi to meet two people from Minnesota who were helping get more supplies to us for distribution.

In the parking lot at Home Depot we met Lynn and David who we found were nice people to talk to. We chatted for at least a half hour, took a couple of pics and it was time to go. We asked them to go see the damage on the beach as that was where we were going. You have to see it to believe it. A picture can not capture it.

The first pic I have below is a boat that was washed from the gulf two blocks inland. It was later chained and dragged back to the beach where it was displayed as a souvenir of Camille. Later a souvenir shop was actually built on the site. For 36 yrs. she stood as a reminder of what happened in 1969. Strangely, Katrina could not dislodge her from her post.

Hazel called me today. You ask who is that? Should I care? Hazel is a victim of Hurricane Katrina that I met while volunteering for a non profit organization from Minnesota. You can read about these wonderful, caring people who work tirelessly for victims of disasters. They have been a godsend to Mississippi.

minnesotahelpers.org

My conversation with Hazel was like talking to a friend. She said for two days she wanted to call but didn't want to sound like she was begging. I can understand that. You see Hazel and many, many more like her had all the things that they so deperately need now and it isn't easy to ask for something as ordinary as a skillet, pots and pans, and a set of sheets for her bed. She couldn't decide on the size of the sheets as she lives in a Fema trailer and she didn't want sheets for the small trailer. She is envisioning pretty sheets on the king size bed she once had.

I prompted Hazel to tell me what SHE would like and she said "I wish I had a dress as I always wore one when attending church." I thought about the black dress that was sent from Minnesota. Her wish just might come true.

Hazel lost her home in 1969 when Camille devastated the coast and once again she has lost another due to Katrina. Lightning does strike twice!

I probably am one of the nicest people one may ever meet but I also am a determined woman and the heartwrenching things I see almost every day has prompted me to BEG. Mississippi needs help! Lots of help to live a normal life again. The people here are just like all of you in every state. There are husband and wives, children, grandma's, grandpa's and many widows like Hazel and myself. As one American to another, we need YOU!

Upon arrival at Anita's before 10 o'clock this morning., as usual she was making baby bottles, dressing the two yr. old, feeding the dog and checking her messages on the PC. We discussed our plans for the day over a cup of coffee deciding what to bring with us. We packed children's clothes, shoes, men's t shirts, toys and the few remaining quilts we had. Strapped the children in their car seats and started out to search for someone we could possibly help in some way to ease their hardships. There are literally thousands of people living in what I call the "twilight zone". They have no idea what to do next to allieviate the present conditions they find themselves in.. As the months go on their situations are becoming worse and spirits are falling.

My daughter did most of the foot work today going to the trailer doors and handing out flyers and taking as much time with each person as they needed. The people she made contact with were older and needed a very different kind of assistance. One of them was a very dignified lady who needed someone to help lift queen size mattresses onto her bed. She said the doctors believe her husband has cancer. When it rains, it pours! I presented her with a quilt and she was thrilled especially that church ladies in a quilting circle had made them for us. Thank you Minnesota!

Things were moving along without incidence until my daughter approached the trailer where the previous woman said was an elderly lady with severe diabetes. Since the daughter has her own blog, she will tell what happened. I snapped this pic from the car and couldn't hear what was being said.


Today may have been a little more disappointing than previous days but I feel that we brought a little sunshine to a few souls. There's always tomorrow!

More to come ...

This is me folks and my little granddaughter Yvonne. She already has the makings of a good volunteer. She loves to go with her Mom and me on our trips around the neighborhoods. She is in charge of any toys and the Operation Vanessa sign.

We were preparing to make one of those trips this morning. I always take some of the lovely quilts to the ladies. The smiles that come to those sad faces are something to see. Warms your heart. Thank you to the quilting circle of the Lutheran Church for using their talents to bring a little sunshine into another's life.

Various items of clothing were given to the people today such as jackets, t shirts, sweaters, and each child we encountered received one of the small fleece blankets made by an elementary school in Minnesota. One lady asked for a couple of them for someone in a wheelchair. Said it would be perfect to cover his legs. Good idea!

All in all Anita and I again enjoyed going out amongst the people. They talk to us about what they need and also ask us if we need anything. Just very nice people who have been hurt by this storm called Katrina. Their needs are enormous but they are appreciative of whatever we give them. Most importantly, they always say to thank Minnesota.

On the road again! Can't wait to get on the road again! Hmm! ... Sounds familiar!


My daughter's blog: http://www.vasavana.blogspot.com


More to come ...

OPERATION VANESSA

An organization from Wayzata, Minnesota that has reached out to the people of Mississippi with not only empathy but love. I had the opportunity to become involved as a volunteer when my daughter had contacted Mary Gray, CEO of the organization to ask for diapers.

She very kindly responded and said the shipment was in Jackson, Mississippi and she would have the requested diapers put aside. We went to pick up diapers at designated location and our working as volunteers for Minnesota Helpers began.

To visit these wonderful people and read about their organization please go to

www.minnesotahelpers.org