How You Can Help

By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Monday, September 5 2005, 3:03AM

The harvest is past,
the summer is ended,
and we are not saved.
--Jeremiah 8:20

Labor Day traditionally marks the unofficial end of summer, a time for one last day of vacation before the beginning of the fall. But this year many of us will not be thinking of vacation. Our hearts still grieve for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the gulf coast exactly one week ago today.

There are thousands of stories from Hurricane Katrina, and by now many of us have heard quite a few of them on television. Many of us have also seen the stories up close. I've gotten several emails from victims of Hurricane Katrina. Some of them I know very well, and some I've just met. Here now are a few of their stories.

Clarence Nero's family fled New Orleans

Last week you may have seen New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin wearing a t-shirt with the word "Desire" written on the front of it. My friend Clarence Nero is the author of a book called Cheekie, which tells the story of growing up in the Desire housing projects in New Orleans. Clarence is a native of New Orleans and he sent a touching email over the weekend. This is what he said:

"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be sending this email but in light of the situation that is going on down here in Louisiana I had no other choice.

I'm sure you've seen the news but nothing is like experiencing up close. I live in Baton Rouge, 60 miles outside of New Orleans so I was not directly hit by the storm. I've been without electricity for a couple of days but other than that I'm fine. However, I have family members who have lost everything. I have dozen of family members crammed into my home. Some of them in other people's home. Some of them in shelters. they have lost everything. jobs. cars. they have no money and no place to go. It's really, really sad.

I'm doing everything I can to assist them, but I can not handle this alone. It's embarrassing, but I have no other choice but to reach out to people that I know to help for financial assistance. I'm asking for financial donations. It will really help me get clothes and food to these displaced family members. Most of them are waiting to receive funds from FEMA but this will take a couple of weeks. So any help will greatly be appreciated. I assure you that your money will go to good use.

If you can send anything, I ask that you send a postal money order to:

Clarence Nero
2308 Commercial Drive
Apt E8
Port Allen, LA 70767

If you can not send anything I completely understand. However, I ask for your prayers as I have several members of my family still trapped in New Orleans. We are hoping for the best...Once again, thank you for your support, prayers and consideration of this request. Take care.

Love,
C"

Darrell Diggins barely escaped New Orleans

Darrell Diggins, a black gay man and a frequent visitor to this site, almost did not make it out from New Orleans last week. Despite the warnings to flee, he stayed put in New Orleans to ride out the storm. After a lifetime of surviving hurricanes in the city, he simply felt he could "brave it out." By last Sunday, he finally listened to friends and family urging him to leave and called around to several friends and family members to find a ride out of town, finally locating an aunt and uncle who were leaving within the hour.

"As I ran from room to room, I began to panic! My stomach knotted and I began to feel regretful (for not evacuating with my mother & family or my friend, Jeffery) and scared. I am unable to describe my panic and the mental convolution caused by trying to assign a value or importance to a lifetime of possessions—a car, clothing, furniture, TVs, electronics, household items, books, family photographs, toys, unsaved manuscripts, mementos. Save for two changes of clothes, a laptop and MP3 player, I own nothing. I have nothing."

Darrell fled to Georgia, but everything he left behind is gone. He needs food, clothing, shelter and money. Visit his website to find his contact information.

NAACP looking for writers, bookers and tech support for hurricane relief

A friend of a friend tells me that the NAACP is looking for pro bono writers to work with the organization and assist in researching and communicating stories about the victims of Katrina and their families. They are also looking for someone to do bookings for NAACP reps on radio and television and for technology folks familiar with Open Source and LAMP (I have no idea what either of those things mean). If you know of anyone who may be willing to help, please contact Juan Proano immediately at jproano@plusthree.com.

Where to donate money

As some of you may know, I have never been a big fan of the Red Cross because of its discriminatory policy banning gay men from donating blood, but they are the primary relief provider in New Orleans and the gulf coast. Of course, there are also many other ways people can help victims of the hurricane. You can give to the Salvation Army or you can volunteer for a relief agency.

If you know of other victims or if you have more information, please post a comment to this article and let the rest of us know too.

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