The recurring question evacuees from New Orleans have been asking is "where's the relief?!"
I read one story last night written by a tourist who got trapped in a hotel during the storm along with several other visiting people from other countries. Once Katrina passed, the hotel evicted all "guests" and from there it only got worse. [read on for more and photos]
They were not allowed to leave the city by some parish police and were forced to live under a bridge for days, fending for themselves to get MREs that had fallen from a passing truck, water they had to steal--on and on. It was a harrowing story of bare survival for these poor men, women and children, who will probably never visit our country again. (Fortunately, when they made it to Texas, the Texans living there gave them some much-needed love.)
While others are talking about helping, Scientologists are deep in New Orleans (French Quarter--doesn't get any deeper) acting. Here you can see photos you won't see on mainstream media from my buddy who has just returned. "Volunteer Ministers" gave tetanus shots (even had more tetanus flown in--plane piloted by John Travolta, no less), administered "assists" (they feel great when you're stressed, believe me) and delivered MRE food to those who can't or won't leave the city.
I can't tell you how proud I am of these people and you should be too. If you want to help a group that's directly helping New Orleans for real, give a donation. It goes directly to this group's HQ in Baton Rouge and their ability to do more of the above. There's no overhead being paid for. It goes right to clothing, food, tetanus vaccines, whatever it takes to help now, now, now. These volunteer ministers may be the only help that's behind enemy lines, if you will (yes, there's a military presence and fire dept., but I'm talking about the helping people come out of their depression, or giving them physical relief so they can carry on--help that brings hope). Assist them in any way you can. They need you to do what they do.