One of the biggest problems for Katrina refugees is getting in touch with others. Shirley Chamberlain is staying with her family at the La Quinta Inn in Cary and asks that other evacuees who want to share information or coordinate trips back contact her via e-mail at smchamberlain@cox.net or on her cell phone at 971-6926.
In addition, refugees and others can go to New Orleans Network, a Web site set up by a team of volunteer techies that allows people to connect with and support the New Orleans refugees in their area. It also helps refugees find each other in their exile communities and organize to make sure that the city is rebuilt in ways that serve all New Orleans residents. Features community bulletin boards, discussion boards, resource listings, advocacy how-to sheets, events calendars, etc. www.NewOrleansNetwork.org.
Concerts and music
Music from the Heart at MacGregor Village: A festival Sunday, Sept. 18, to support the Red Cross featuring entertainment from Triangle bands and entertainers. Prize raffles, family activities, including bounce houses for the kids. Host Lady Jaisun (formerly with Martha Reeves’ Vandellas) and emcee NBC 17 news anchor Bill Gaines. Contact Jaisun McMillian at 855-9647, www.sparklenc.com/relief.html.
Cat’s Cradle: Hosts the NOLA Musicians Relief Concert on Saturday, Sept. 24, with proceeds going to Music Maker’s NOLA Musicians Fund. Chapel Hill businesses will match donations with gifts to the Red Cross. The schedule isn’t finalized, so stay tuned: www.catscradle.com, www.musicmaker.org.
Lincoln Theatre: Big benefit in the works for Sunday, Sept. 25. So far: Chip Robinson and the Anti Carpetbaggers League, Six String Drag, Arrogance, Tres Chicas, Patty Hurst Shifter, The Woods, $2 Pistols, Hobex, The Hanks, The Bleeding Hearts. www.lincolntheatre.com.
ArtsCenter: Hosts DeltaAid Hurricane Relief Concert on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Mamadou Diabate, Mosadi Music, Barefoot Manner and Alex Weiss & Different Drum perform, with net ticket sales going to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now’s (ACORN) Hurricane Recovery and Rebuilding Fund. $7. 929-2787, www.artscenterlive.org.
IMPACT: A month-long fundraising festival for hurricane relief, seeking multicultural performers (spoken word, dance, musicians/bands) for benefit on Saturday, Oct. 22. E-mail Dana Marks at kdmark2003@yahoo.com for details.
Local efforts
Wake County Shelter: About 400 evacuees are staying temporarily at the Wake County Hurricane Disaster Victim Center near the N.C. State Fairgrounds. Food is being provided, but donations of new clothes and toys are needed. Contact Wake County Human Services at 212-9595, or drop off donations at 220 Swinburne St., Raleigh, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Thursday.
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Foundation: Donate online at www.shalomdch.org/katrina.htm, or mail check made out to Jewish Federation Disaster Relief Fund and marked Hurricane Katrina to 3622 Lyckan Pkwy., Suite 3003, Durham, N.C. 27707, Attn: Hurricane Katrina. Also coordinating temporary housing for displaced victims; if you can help, call 489-5335 or e-mail federation@shalomdch.org.
Urban Ministries of Wake County: Coordinating with dozens of congregations in the area in preparation for the possibly permanent relocation of New Orleans-area refugees. 256-2165.
Peacefire Relief Effort: Peacefire Gallery in Durham has joined with the National Heritage Foundation to create a charity focused on direct relief to families victimized by natural disasters. They will ship donated canned goods, nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, grocery gift cards and pre-paid long-distance calling cards directly to families displaced throughout the Gulf Coast. Items can be dropped off at Peacefire Galleries, 105 E. Chapel Hill St. in downtown Durham near the Durham Arts Council. 682-5808.
Whole Foods Market: Accepting donations for the American Red Cross and matching all donations dollar-for-dollar up to $1 million. All store locations (Raleigh, Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill) are participating.
Food Bank of Central & Eastern N.C: Gathering the most needed items: paper goods, single serving snacks, cleaning supplies, peanut butter, high-protein canned meals and other single serving meals that do not require refrigeration. Bring donations to 3808 Tarheel Drive, Raleigh, 875-0707 and 708 Gilbert St., Durham, 956-2513. www.foodbankcenc.org.
Beyond the Red Cross
Southern Partners Fund: Justice Fund for Katrina Relief and Renewal will assist local groups with short-term relief and renewal, collect and document the stories of survivors and community leaders, and support long-term renewal efforts aimed at overcoming structural and systematic racism, gender bias and concurrent injustices that led to the devastating experiences of Katrina victims and survivors. www.spfund.org.
NAACP’s Disaster Relief Fund: Will be used to provide immediate assistance to the worst-affected victims, to mobilize resources to feed, cloth and shelter displaced victims, and to ensure the equitable distribution of money and resources from federal, state and local government and other relief agencies. 1-866-996-2227.
