Flood Relief for Louisiana
Donation protected
Denham Springs was my home for 45 years. It will always be "Home". My name is Angela McKee and my husband is Michael McKee and we now live in Effie, LA, but we work here in Denham Springs. Our families and friends are here. We love them dearly and while they hurt and recover, we will hurt with them and do our best to help them recover.
Most of you know about the devastaing flood that took place here in Louisiana this past week. While we watched like most of you on Facebook and news media, or listened on the radio from a distance, our hearts broke, we cried, we worried, we waited to hear word from our parents, sisters, brothers, children and friends. We watched as the waters rose and boats were filled with evacuees that were brought to various shelters in the area. But that's not like being here.
We arrived with some friends and visited some of those we knew personally that had been flooded. It was wonderful to see their smiling (yes, smiling) faces, and know that they were what we would call okay. Then we went to a shelter my brother and his wife were working at. There's no words for what you see and feel. The devastation is very real! People are homeless. The waters rose so fast, that most could only leave with what they were wearing. Cars were left behind, as well as, all those things that most value more than mere material things. Things like pictures of their parents that have passed, pictures of the day they were married, pictures of their babies when they were born, lots of pictures...letters, cards and gifts from loved ones that were cherished and cannot be replaced. No matter how much we donate or help, those things can never be replaced. Those are the things that will leave scars long after any evidence of this flood is left.
But, we still want to help with what we can. We still want to bring comfort even in the smallest measure. And, we still want to let them know they are loved and not forgotten.
So many have asked how they can help or where to send help to. We cannot say how much it is appreciated. So, with the advice of a very dear friend (Charlotte Hockersmith), I have opened this Go Fund Me account to speed the process of getting the needed items to those who have been flooded out of their homes. I wasn't prepared for the "Goal" part of setting up the account. I have no idea what it will take or for how long, so $20,000 was a shot in the dark. We know at least 13 of our church families personally, that have been flooded and have had water in their homes from 6 inches to 7 feet! Some with flood insurance, some not. So, the amount given is totally up to you!
As we've already learned in the few days since getting here, the needs are ever changing. At first, it was shelter, food and water. At day 5, they were in need of cleaning supplies: disinfectant cleaners, bleach, laundry detergent, borax, mops, brooms, shop vacs, masks (for the smell), gloves, etc., As clean up comes to an end, and insurance adjusters have left, building supplies will be needed, as well as cash or gift cards to replace clothes, shoes and furniture that have been lost. Myself along with others will personally deliver and distribute these items to them.
I will be withdrawing these funds and transferring them to an account that has been opened for the sole purpose of meeting the above mentioned needs. There are no disbursements given or funds used without being communicated to and approved by the other parties listed below. Charlotte Hockersmith is a church friend who lives near Alexandria, LA. She is very instrumental in buying needed supplies that are sold out here due to demand and transporting them here to us and distributing where they are needed. Mr. Eugene Robertston is a church friend who lives in the affected area, although received no personal damage and is a very well respected and known member of his community in Pine Grove, LA. Receipts and statements are all being documented. We welome any questions or concerns and will try to answer in a timely manner.
Thank you, so much, for the desire in your hearts to help your neighbor, to show love and compassion in a time of need, and to reach out to those who need you, even if they don't know you.
With all our love and thankfulness from Louisiana,
Angela McKee
Charlotte Hockersmith
Eugene Robertson
(Funds Overseers)
Most of you know about the devastaing flood that took place here in Louisiana this past week. While we watched like most of you on Facebook and news media, or listened on the radio from a distance, our hearts broke, we cried, we worried, we waited to hear word from our parents, sisters, brothers, children and friends. We watched as the waters rose and boats were filled with evacuees that were brought to various shelters in the area. But that's not like being here.
We arrived with some friends and visited some of those we knew personally that had been flooded. It was wonderful to see their smiling (yes, smiling) faces, and know that they were what we would call okay. Then we went to a shelter my brother and his wife were working at. There's no words for what you see and feel. The devastation is very real! People are homeless. The waters rose so fast, that most could only leave with what they were wearing. Cars were left behind, as well as, all those things that most value more than mere material things. Things like pictures of their parents that have passed, pictures of the day they were married, pictures of their babies when they were born, lots of pictures...letters, cards and gifts from loved ones that were cherished and cannot be replaced. No matter how much we donate or help, those things can never be replaced. Those are the things that will leave scars long after any evidence of this flood is left.
But, we still want to help with what we can. We still want to bring comfort even in the smallest measure. And, we still want to let them know they are loved and not forgotten.
So many have asked how they can help or where to send help to. We cannot say how much it is appreciated. So, with the advice of a very dear friend (Charlotte Hockersmith), I have opened this Go Fund Me account to speed the process of getting the needed items to those who have been flooded out of their homes. I wasn't prepared for the "Goal" part of setting up the account. I have no idea what it will take or for how long, so $20,000 was a shot in the dark. We know at least 13 of our church families personally, that have been flooded and have had water in their homes from 6 inches to 7 feet! Some with flood insurance, some not. So, the amount given is totally up to you!
As we've already learned in the few days since getting here, the needs are ever changing. At first, it was shelter, food and water. At day 5, they were in need of cleaning supplies: disinfectant cleaners, bleach, laundry detergent, borax, mops, brooms, shop vacs, masks (for the smell), gloves, etc., As clean up comes to an end, and insurance adjusters have left, building supplies will be needed, as well as cash or gift cards to replace clothes, shoes and furniture that have been lost. Myself along with others will personally deliver and distribute these items to them.
I will be withdrawing these funds and transferring them to an account that has been opened for the sole purpose of meeting the above mentioned needs. There are no disbursements given or funds used without being communicated to and approved by the other parties listed below. Charlotte Hockersmith is a church friend who lives near Alexandria, LA. She is very instrumental in buying needed supplies that are sold out here due to demand and transporting them here to us and distributing where they are needed. Mr. Eugene Robertston is a church friend who lives in the affected area, although received no personal damage and is a very well respected and known member of his community in Pine Grove, LA. Receipts and statements are all being documented. We welome any questions or concerns and will try to answer in a timely manner.
Thank you, so much, for the desire in your hearts to help your neighbor, to show love and compassion in a time of need, and to reach out to those who need you, even if they don't know you.
With all our love and thankfulness from Louisiana,
Angela McKee
Charlotte Hockersmith
Eugene Robertson
(Funds Overseers)
Organizer
Angela McKee
Organizer
Denham Springs, LA