TENNESSEE SUPPORT

The floodwaters are receding, leaving devastation in it's wake.  A total of 30 people have died in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi from the storms and flooding of the past week.  The attention of the country, however, has been focused on the Gulf oil spill and the Times Square terror plot.  It's past time to turn our attention to fellow countrymen in need.  Now that the waters are receding, the cleanup is starting, and these people need help.  FEMA is in crisis mode right now, but, unfortunately, the crisis is internal.   Hard to believe there is a government entity right now that is short on funds, but such is the case with FEMA. 

So now it's time for We the People to do what we do so well.  Help.  We are the most generous, compassionate country in the world, and now it's time to step up and show our  fellow citizens just how big our hearts are.  Times are tough, it's true, but money isn't the only thing that you can donate.

Help the people of Tennessee, if you can.  Their spirit is impressive (via CNN):

"We have no choice but to solve this problem, and we're going to solve it with enthusiasm and try to have fun doing it. We have some hurdles to cross, but we've already gotten across quite a few," Nashville resident Russ Hazelton told CNN. "We'll see what the next few days bring."

Here's how you can give:

The American Red Cross

The Salvation Army

Nashville Humane Society

Please give what you can, whether it be cash, clothing, food or donating blood.   I put in a link to the Humane Society because, as we learned from Katrina, disasters like this don't just affect humans, they affect our furry family members, too. 

There are plenty of local groups that are taking donations as well:

News Channel 9 has a donation hotline set up.

The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has a donation center as well.

Please give what you can.

GIVE IF YOU CAN

I know that times are tough, but thrre is a lot going on that requires our time and money.  The devastation in Haiti calls for immediate help for anyone who can give.  In more mundane events, there is a great candidate in a surprisingly tight race who could use your help, too.  If you can spare some time or money, check these out (even $5 helps).

The American Red Cross.  This link will take you to a page that details the different funds you can contribute to.  The Haiti disaster Relief fund is the second button.  Please help, if you can.  The situation is dire.  Donating to the Red Cross ensures that your money goes to desperately needed medical supplies, as well as food and potable water, NOT to the Haitian government.

If you are able to donate blood, I urge you to please do so.  Consider donating platelets or plasma instead of whole blood (I do).  To donate in Florida, please contact the Florida Blood Centers.  Nationwide, check out the American Red Cross.  The link helps you find a donation center near you.  Please give, if you can. 

If you live in the South, the next time you need to go to the store, choose your local Publix.  They are currently taking donations for the American Red Cross Haiti Relief Fund at the checkout registers.  Just tell your cashier how much you want to donate and they will add it to your grocery bill.

Musician Wyclef Jean's charity, Yele Haiti, is collecting donations as well.  You can either link to the site and donate there, or you can text YELE to 501501 to donate $5, which will be charged on your phone bill.

Please be cautious about monetary donations, because, unfortunately, there are a lot of scams out there already.  But, please don't let that put you off from giving to a safe, reputable group.  Anything you can afford to give will be a tremendous help. 

Now, if you're looking to sock it to "The Man", please donate to Scott Brown's election campaign.   This site will enable you to donate money or time.  This race is gaining momentum, and we have a real chance to send a message to Washington and Obama.  I don't know about you, but I'm just loving seeing Coakley and her democrat/union/lobbyist cronies panicking over a possible loss of 'Teddy's seat' in bluer-than-blue Massachusetts.  Help Scott Brown (and Massachusetts voters) send a wake-up call to Washington!

Please dig deep and give what you can.