[MR] gas

[Anna-Maria Smith]

On the gas front, I have heard from more than one
resource that the current situation is nothing more
than hysteria. Our gas supply will actually be
effected in 30-90 days, which is when the tanks from
the local distributors go dry. Personally, I would
love to see someone try to ride a bike from my house
to my job. Armstrong could probably do it, if he
didn't fall off a mountain or get hit by someone. When
we can go back to the period working and schedules, I
can go back to period vehicles. That would rock
really!

Facts are, it has barely even begun. There are fires
blazing out west and more storms brewing in the
southern waters. This is one disaster and the next may
be just around the corner. 

It is a very noble thing to wish to relieve the weight
of sadness from so many overburdened shoulders.
However, we all need to remember that sending
housewares to people with no homes does no good. By
the time there are houses to put stuff in, much of the
items donated will have sat in a storeroom pile for
months waiting to be needed. They do need
disinfectants like bleach and pine cleaners, baby
supplies (non-powdered formulas!), non-perishable
foods, first aid, batteries and MONEY. Money is
universal fix-it and can be used to buy everything
they need to remain alive, like insuline or
medications, etc. I can not imagine sending anything
SCA specific will do much good in any way. Where will
they use it? In the Astro Dome? Yes, they may need it
next year once they have begun to recover, so save it
and send it then. I can only imagine how I would feel
if I was standing in what *was* my entire world and
someone said "well, I have some garb I can give you."
How could anyone even have a random thought about the
SCA when you don't know where your loved ones are and
if they have survived. At this point in time, the
letters for FEMA are the only ones that matter.

I personally only see two ways to help, house someone
who lost it all, or send money to help them get at
least enough to survive. Since I can't go down there
myself and make a difference, I'll toss my money into
the the general fund and know it will make someone the
better for it, no matter who or which disaster has
destroyed people's lives.

On another note, I would bet that if you pick up the
local paper, there are some survivors of a housefire
or the like that need the housewares right now! The
hurricane destroyed everything down there, but don't
forget your own backyard too. Just last year Western
NC was hit by two hurricane fronts and flooded the
worst in 100 years. There were some deaths and most of
the effected are no better today than they were then.
Just because this hurricane gets all the press doesn't
mean there are no others in need.

This whole situation is heartbreaking, but we have
gotta get a handle on the reality of things. Here is a
thought...what about the soldiers that are risking
their lives at war. They may not even know if they
have a family or home left. How about a few calling
cards for some of our soldiers out there? That is an
imidiate way to make a life better. Trust me.

Adeliza
   



"Molfaidh as gniomh e fein"-Irish for "The deed will praise itself."


		
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