The Left Politic, The Rest Help Out In California

Hey folks,

Over 500,000 acres of land, thousands of houses and business, billions of dollars in damages, people losing their lives. May those involved find and receive the peace and comfort they so desperately need in this most dangerous time.

While this is going on, a lot of those on the Left, just seem to want to turn it into another “Katrina.” The Libs are playing politics, blaming Bush, the war, ETC. The Mass Media Drones are seeking for the worse news they can find to report. Some are searching really hard to FIND anything that they can use, or supply to the Libs as to pass blame. But in the middle of this mess, there are people coming together. People helping. People encouraging.

So while the Left play political games with this tragedy, the rest of us are coming together to help. Here is YOUR chance to help. Here is just a few examples of those helping to make the situation better.

Responding to the devastating aftermath of the wildfires that have blazed across California, Wal-Mart has donated $1,000,000 to American Red Cross disaster relief efforts. In addition, Wal-Mart is also providing its customers with the opportunity to help by initiating a customer donation program in Wal-Mart stores across California.

The Red Cross has nearly 3,000 workers on site in Southern California, including volunteers from all 50 states, and is offering a wide range of support focusing on continued sheltering for those who need it. As of midnight last night, the Red Cross had 24 shelters opened, providing people with a safe place to stay. Additional Red Cross services include providing meals, distribution of clean up supplies and mental health support to provide a shoulder for those in need to lean on.

In addition to the generous $1,000,000 donation, local Wal-Mart stores and Sam's Clubs in California are setting up collection sites so that their customers can conveniently make cash donations to help support ongoing relief efforts. “We are grateful for the generous support of Wal-Mart and their customers, providing help and hope to our neighbors in California during their time of need,” said Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

“Wal-Mart's generosity, leadership and timely support of our humanitarian mission is greatly appreciated.” Wal-Mart has a history as a corporate leader in the area of disaster relief. In 2005, Wal-Mart donated more than $32 million in cash to aid Hurricane Katrina emergency relief efforts. This included $2 million in contributions to the Red Cross. Last year, Wal-Mart provided more than $2 million in disaster relief funds to assist in relief efforts across the nation, including floods and tornadoes disaster response.

“Wal-Mart has a long history of increasing our community support during times of disaster,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation.

The wildfires raging across Southern California have impacted customers, communities and our own associates. It was an easy decision to move forward with aiding relief efforts.”

About the American Red Cross All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution

United Ways in Southern California are responding to the devastating wildfires in two key ways: ensuring the strength of the 2-1-1 phone number for people who need help and launching the regional United Way Southern California Wildfires Recovery Fund.

The United Way Southern California Wildfires Recovery Fund is unique in the following ways:

This Fund represents a collaboration of several United Ways across the region. United Way of San Diego is leading the way with United Ways throughout Southern California actively participating, including: United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Inland Empire United Way, Orange County United Way, United Way of the Inland Valleys, Arrowhead United Way, United Way of Santa Barbara County, United Way of Ventura County and United Way of California.

Miriam Krehbiel, Chair for United Ways of California, comments, “We are delighted to see this unprecedented funding collaboration among the United Ways in Southern California. Our unity on issues like 2-1-1 and in times of crisis demonstrates how powerful we can be when we organize for the greater good.”

2. The Fund will focus primarily on community-wide healing. United Ways will activate local volunteer committees of community leaders to review applications from support agencies and develop strategies to address the long term needs of the communities affected.

Doug Sawyer, President & CEO for United Way of San Diego County, in the hardest hit area of the region, states, “As we turn to the long term recovery and rebuilding of the residents and communities affected by the wildfires, the involved United Ways will work closely with local and national agencies to address the issues that matter most to the Southern California region's residents. We're facing a long haul in recovering from the wildfires, and this fund will support our residents and communities for years to come.”

Another crucial role United Way is playing in the response to the wildfires it to ensure the strength of 2-1-1, an easy-to-remember phone number that can be dialed for people who need services or for those who want to offer help. As we saw with the 2004 hurricanes in Florida and with Gulf Coast Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, 2-1-1 provides an invaluable service in times of crisis, providing maximum community access to critical resources and information to help reduce the harmful effects of the disaster. With the Southern California wildfires, 2-1-1 has again demonstrated its powerful role. Tens of thousands of people in the region are getting connected with the services they need, such as finding temporary shelter. As call volumes in the area continue to soar, United Way of America has committed the funds to bring in extra 211 operators to staff the busy lines.

Community partnerships will be critical to the long term recovery efforts. United Way is a member of both the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), formed to coordinate relief efforts in the wake of natural disasters, and the Major Relief Agency Consortium (M-RAC) co-chaired by America Red Cross and UWA. Within this network, the initial response to disasters is led by the America Red Cross while United Way takes the lead in long term recovery. Red Cross and United Way are joined by partners such as Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), Salvation Army, AIRS, FEMA and many others in this critical work.

Brian Gallagher, President and CEO for United Way of America, ensures that, “United Way of America will stand by the 11 local United Ways in the affected Southern California counties for the duration of the long term recovery. Working together, we will be here as long as it takes to rebuild the lives, homes and communities of people who have lost so much in this tragedy.”

How People Can Help -- Financial donations can be made to the Fund at:

http://www.unitedway.org. -- Questions can be directed to Carol Williams at 858-636-4177, or by email to, socalfund@uwsd.org. --

If people are interested in volunteering or making in-kind donations: Dial 2-1-1. About United Way of America United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement in making a measurable impact in every community across America by focusing on the root causes of the most serious problems. The United Way movement includes over 1,300 community-based United Way organizations. Each is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers. For more information about United Way of America, please visit: http://www.unitedway.org. 2-1-1:

United Way is a partner in 2-1-1, an easy-to-remember number that can be dialed for people who need services, or for those who want to offer help. Visit: http://www.211.org/.

Even The United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh is helping out, for those of you that may be of the Jewish faith or heritage.

The United Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh, in conjunction with its national organization, the United Jewish Communities, has established a relief fund for victims of the Southern California wildfires, which continue to rage from San Diego to Los Angeles.

The UJF/Wildfire Relief Fund will accept donations through checks or online to help victims in Southern California. One hundred percent of the funds will be forwarded to relief agencies through the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Jewish Federation of Orange County, and the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County, whose communities have been affected.

“In times of natural disasters or other tragedies, donors recognize that we have one of the best mechanisms to ensure that their contributions will effectively meet the needs of those in affected areas,” said Jeff Finkelstein, President and CEO of the United Jewish Federation.

Contributions to the victims of the California wildfires can be made online at
http://www.ujfpittsburgh.org/ or by mail to the United Jewish Federation, 234 McKee Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Make checks payable to UJF/Wildfire Relief Fund.

During the past few days, the wildfires have ravaged Southern California, consuming some 500,000 acres, forcing approximately one million people from their homes, and destroying an estimated 1,300 homes and businesses. San Diego County, home to some 100,000 Jews, is the scene of 14 separate fires. Contact: Hank Karp, Director of Marketing Direct Communications Direct Dial: 412-992-5219

You see folks, in times like these, it shouldn’t matter what faith you follow, what color you are, or even, yes, even what political party you associate yourself with. This is just a small example of people coming together to help. Wal-Mart giving a Million dollars? Has Boxer helped out? Has Reid? Has any of those that claim they CARE about the people? We should be coming together to help our fellow HUMAN BEINGS, and NOT playing political games with their loss. And it IS, just that simple.
Peter

Sources:
American Red Cross
United Way of America
United Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh