FW Oklahoma: Katrina Relief Project OK

[Guest guest]

Namah Shivaya.

Here is a report from OK.

I just heart that MI will be receiving 10,000 survivors.

premarupa

> ------ Forwarded Message

> "Kaivalya (Tonia) Reazin-Rupe" <reazinrupe

>

 

> Dear Ones,

>

> During our satsang last evening there was much discussion about how our group

> could be of service in Amma's name to the US Katrina survivors. We are still

> waiting for direction from Dayamrita Swami. But in the meantime, some

> opportunities seem to have manifested for us to support the Edmond Oklahoma

> Satsang in their efforts to assist survivors at Camp Gruber (a military camp

> where 2000 people were bussed from the superdome in New Orleans. Please read

> below. )

>

> We are currently collecting monetary donations; and backpacks and items to

> stuff them with for children of all ages. Personal things that the children

> can claim for their own. One could purchase and fill one or more backpacks or

> purchase numbers of pencils, notebooks, hair accessories, toys or games, etc

> or an empty backpack or two.

>

> In spite of media reports to the contrary, we have been told by satsang

> members who served as emergency responders on the scene when the survivors

> arrived that much help is needed as well as physical supplies. We will be

> loading our truck and livestock trailer with things here in Wichita on Friday,

> then driving to Oklahoma City on Saturday Morning and picking up items there

> that the local satsang has collected, then driving to Camp Gruber. I am not

> aware of accommodations at this point that might be available in the area

>

> We need help collecting things, sorting, packing and labeling things and

> delivering them. Please call and/or email if you are able to help with this

> project.

>

> Here are two emails I have received in the last 12 hours about this camp:

>

> Om Namaha Shivaya,

> Hello Holly,

> In Oklahoma, Sally Haughey, who has been with Amma and is a close friend of

> Sue Tarr's was at Camp Gruber as part of the first emergency response when the

> Greyhound busses carrying 2,000 people from the New Orleans superdome arrived.

> Oklahoma's Camp Gruber, about an hour SE of Tulsa, Oklahoma, can provide

> housing for up to a year. Perhaps a conference call, with Sally sharing her

> first hand experience with the survivors and their needs would help. The

> survivors arrived at 10 p.m. Saturday night wearing the same clothes they wore

> when the hurricane hit. They had been on the Greyhound bus which first went to

> Houston, where they were turned away, then to Dallas, again no room in the

> inn, and arrived at Camp Gruber thinking they were going to die on the bus,

> because no one would take them in. Some did die on the bus, many died and were

> killed in the superdome, and they were in shock from all the tra! uma. Even

> so, Sally spoke of how grateful and appreciative the people are for every

> kindness. They spoke of stopping at a gas station and how grateful they were

> that a man at the station bought a meal for everyone on the bus. Sally spoke

> of the sores on their ankles from the sewerage water and untreated illnesses.

> A group of elderly women were shown to their barracks, where a church group

> had placed a blanket and night gown on each bed, and they were overcome with

> gratitude for a safe and dry place to sleep and a meal. Sally said their

> suffering was beyond describing, yet they were so grateful.

> Sally is checking into the number of children, and organizing a back pack for

> each child with items they need, as well as clothing, etc.

> I'm emailing this to Sally. When she has more information about specific

> needs, we could have a conference call to get into action.

> Love,

> Sue

> And:

>

> Hello to ALL!

> Camp Gruber in Muskogee is receiving 2,000+ Evacuees from the Louisiana at

> this moment. And many more are to come from Texas over the next few days.

> Kelly Wooden is organizing the effort and has been told that the base

> officials are taking care of the food, water and shelter needs, but these poor

> people will come with nothing to wear or entertain themselves with. Please

> take a couple hours out of your day today if possible and spread this message

> to everyone you know:

> Items Needed immediately Are:

> 1. CLEAN Men/Women/Teen/Child/Baby Clothing and Shoes and Socks for ALL Sizes.

> Please sort accordingly and put in labeled bags or boxes. They will only

> accept these items sorted. New Packages of Underwear items also. Kelly will

> have large labeled boxes out on her driveway for drop off. Just put your

> sorted bags in the appropriate box according to sizes.

> 2. Toys/Books/Games/Videos (video games also) for all ages.

> 3. Sporting Equipment and Outdoor Toys will be accepted.

> 4. Small comforting blankets for the children and babies. The base will have

> bedding, but small blankets would be nice also.

>

> Working together we can make a tremendous difference and can help ease the

> suffering and hardship of many, many people.

>

> Amma has said, “Children, do you know what expectations Amma has of you? You

> should be like the sun, not like a firefly. Fireflies make light merely for

> their own needs. Don't be like that. Selflessness is all you should ever wish

> for. You should be the ones who raise their hands to help others, even at the

> moment of your death.” Let's help one another to spread Amma's light in

> these dark times.

>

> Kaivalya (Tonia) Reazin-Rupe

> reazinrupe

> 316-218-0267

>

>

 

 

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