Pond Boss Forums GENERAL QUESTIONS Help Hurricane Katrina Disaster Fund

My books are in at the accountant and I expect them back any day now. I need to write two checks and then I will have almost depleted my funds. We have received word from the Internal Revenue that we have been approved as tax exempt status. All money received for Hurricane disaster may be taken off of your income taxes. You will receive this information with the accountant information. Many of you have been very good about helping and I have been a little slugish as I am trying to reinstall a large building that blew over and it is not near completed. I do need your assistance and all money goes to the needy and none to welfare.

I was in another meeting in Gulfport yesterday evening. I met a fellow that was living with his dad and his wife was with her folks, their house had blown away and they lost everything. You could tell by his face expression that he had a lot of hurt and was not sure of his next move. He was a very nice guy and was not asking for anything but fellowship. Since it is tax time I do not have my books back yet and I may have to wait awhile because she is doing this as a favor. We are working on a mailing to go out to various companies to see if we can improve our financial condition and perhaps help more people.I keep receiving names of ones needing assistance and we will see what is available and stretch it so they do receive help. I forgot to state the mailing is at my expense as usual and does not come out of donations. I receive e mail that I am in the prayers from many people and it is appreciated as I do not do this alone I have HIM and I am his helper. Many people will be removed from the hotels and other places they have lived so it is going to be a big challenge to find any housing. There is very few houses to rent and those are very expensive. Hotels and the others are notifying these people now.

First of all I want to say THANK YOU for all the help you have given. The money has been put to good use to help those in need. Last week, we received notice from the IRS that we are now classified as a tax exempt public charity. This is good news for all our contributors as they can take this as a deduction. However, now for the bad news. We are nearly out of funds. We have a list of about 10 people that need help badly. This afternoon I received two more cases. One case is a couple with four children. The wind picked up their roof and moved it about six inches and let the rain come in and flood everything. They had no insurance because of medical expenses. Their 14 year old son has had three open heart surgeries and also has asthma (so does the five year old, and the Mother) Three weeks ago, the 14 year old quit breathing and had to be rushed to the hospital. He was taken to Jackson which is 40-50 miles away.They are presently living in a FEMA trailer which is very crowded with the 6 of them. FEMA only gave them $7,000. Not enough to even put on a roof. They also lost their car.
The other case, a tree fell on the roof, inside the house was ruined, the refrigerator was ruined. Right now they are using their daughters, but she needs it back so they are in great need for a refrigerator plus other help.
We need your help. We need more money to help these people in need. We put our faith in GOD that he will provide.

I mailed out over 500 letters to corporations asking for financial aid. All that we have received answers from was a strong NO. I have received answers that stated they only give to employees and hospitals. I asked them what about the other individuals that need assistance and I was informed that was their answer. So I take it they are not interested in others even though they have a product to sell. When I receive more answers I will keep you informed. I would like to put the no list in a large newspaper but I would have to be careful and not cross the thin line. It is raining and that may be why I am so down.

Deaner,

I wish you the best of luck but you can thank the mishandling of this disaster by the federal government, the fradulent claims by some, and the how quickly the American public forgets disasters for the cynicism you are encountering. Also be aware that businesses are being hit up all the time for donations. I know I'm one of them.

I would gladly donate to your cause but I am already doing so through another avenue and will continue to do so.

God help those folks down there when the new hurricane seasons starts.

The best of luck to you and I commend you for doing this!

I still receive many calls for assistance which we have informed them our funds are depleted. In fact we got a telephone call this morning. We will try one more avenue then I will probably stop for the present. If I can get on the a p wire I believe it is called I might be able to get assistance. There really is a legitamate need now. My brothers church is thinking of sending down a group of workers. The problem I have ran into is most will state I gave to the Red Cross or to the Bush- Clinton fund. The Bush - Clinton fund will not help in any manner. Most all corporation are just not interested as this is either not in their area or it is not their employees. Very extreme poor answers They might look better just saying as little as possible. I felt the Bush - Clinton fund should be more involved but are not. I can make this statment without causing arguments as it is both major political parties. It is stated on their web site they will not donate to individual sources, which I feel is entirely wrong and shows a lack of caring. By people giving heavily to these two groups it curtails the giving to the ones that really are in need. I could give a lot of information that is negative on the Red Cross but this is not what I desire to accomplish. It is very flusterating to see donated funds locked up when there are sources that could really use just a fraction of this large fund and accomplish so much. I still am not talking about people on welfare or the uninsured. The Bush - Clinton fund should of had different by laws so it could of accomplished much more. As was stated on the web site the money just continued to pour in with no set limit. People will give more to politicians than they will to other non political funds. This is a proven fact and many people in politics have received critism over the fact they receive funds which border on being incorrect. On these statments I do not desire to start disagreements only to point out there are others in need. I do not disagree with the Bush -Clinton donation fund, only the bylaws and the fact of a lack of a limit to shut it off so donations to others would not fall short.
This is not meant as sour grapes, only to point out the pit falls that exist.