PledgeBank United States
I’ll do it, but only if you’ll help

Pledge “UnderwearDrive”

"I will Donate $100 worth of new underwear to Hurricane Katrina Victims but only if 100 other people across America will donate one box of new underwear containing all of the following - one package each of men's or women's underpants, men's t-shirts (or a women's bras) and a package of socks."

— Richard Fehr, Hurricane Katrina Volunteer

Deadline to sign up by: 24^th November 2005
100 people signed up

Country: United States

More details
My name is Rick, and I have been a Hurricane Katrina Relief Volunteer for the past six weeks. I have been working primarily in Biloxi, Mississippi, but belong to a network of volunteers throughout the Gulf Coast. Unfortunately, the news media has been primarily centered in New Orleans, and many people do not fully understand how badly the rest of the Gulf Coast was affected.

Biloxi and the surrounding cities have been totally devastated. There are entire neighborhoods in East Biloxi that have been completely wiped out. Over 5000 homes in East Biloxi alone have been completely destroyed, with 5000 more sustaining major damage. The rest of Biloxi was flooded with a tidal surge that put an average of 9-10 feet of water in virtually every home. The homes still standing have been growing mold and diseases for the past month, and many of these houses are totally uninhabitable. Again, this is just in Biloxi alone, and does not include the towns along a 150 mile coastline that were hit just as badly.

Many thousands of evacuees have returned to the rubble of their former home, and have no home, no clothes, no money and no job. Many are living in tents, as FEMA trailers are slow in arriving. Even basic necessities such as underwear are in short supply. Many people have not had showers in over a month, and the donated clothes coming in are often dumped on the ground in parking lots for people to sift through. It has rained several times, and these clothes are soggy and moldy, with no laundry facilities to clean them.

Although I would love to find solutions for all shortage problems in the Gulf Coast, I feel the need to concentrate in one area at this time. Try to imagine wearing the same underwear for a month or more, and you can see why I am so passionate about this cause. I have started the "Send Me Your Underwear!" campaign, and here's where to send the packages of underwear:

"Send Me Your Underwear" Campaign
City Action Partnership (CAP)
1801 Third Ave. N.
Birmingham, AL 35203

CAP Contact Person: Laura Parenteau
Phone # 205-251-0111 (office)
205-317-3971 (cell)
http://www.onb.org/citycenter/cc_caps_in...

The City Action Partnership (CAP)in Birmingham, Alabama has graciously donated space in their warehouse to store and sort and palletize all the underwear into the appropriate sizes. They have arranged shipping through the local Coca-Cola Plant to transport the pallets to the Coke plants in Gulfport and Baton Rouge. These donations will then be picked up by volunteers and delivered to the local distribution centers throughout the Gulf Coast.

The total cost for buying one package each of men's or women's underpants, men's t-shirts or a women's bra, and a package of socks would be under $20 after shipping. Even if you can only afford one package, this would be a great help.

Please help us in our efforts In Biloxi and in the surrounding areas. I know that everyone here has donated freely already to the relief effort. This is why I am asking to spread the cost between everyone. Each package of underwear when combined with packages from other volunteers will provide many thousands of dollars worth of immediate relief to the people of Southern Mississippi and Louisiana. This needs to be done immediately!

Please copy and forward this message to every person that you have an address to, and keep this going. The people of the Gulf Coast are desperate, and through one coordinated effort, we can eliminate some immediate problems and be able to concentrate on the long-term rebuilding projects. Please call with any questions. Thank you very much for your assistance.

God Bless You All,

Richard C. Fehr
903-464-0155 (home)
580-380-1823 (cell)
biloxidoc@yahoo.com

P.S. Stay tuned for my next project, which will be the Winter Clothing Drive!