My boss in NY bcc'ed us on his e-mail to our foreign HQ, announcing that he had arranged for the Houston office to cover orders placed for New Orleans because our employees there had been evacuated. Guess he didn't tell us here in Houston about this plan prior to announcing it since we might have pointed out how it's ridiculous; no international trading vessels will be stopping in New Orleans for a very, very long time. *rolls eyes* Good to know he's shining up his, "I'm a fabulous director" credentials, though I can't imagine what he could be doing there that would be helpful.

On to better news: I'm happy that they'll be bringing at least some of the New Orleans evacuees to Houston. After 9/11 and the tsunami, it was horrible to sit by, unable to help beyond sending money to the Red Cross. This is a tragedy where I will be able to pitch in physically, which helps to dispel that sense of being a victim of the fates.

After all the help we in Houston received following the 500+-year flood event of Allison, where 22 people died and we got as much as 37 inches of rain, it feels good to be able to return the favor.

ETA: Just got the

With Houston expecting many of the 100,000 refugees from Louisiana in the wake of the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina, people have been asking how they can help.

As Mayor White said this week, "Houston is a friendly city and a great neighbor." In that spirit, I hope you'll join us in doing everything you can for our friends and neighbors in need.

We are in the process of determining the most effective ways for our volunteers to help with the local efforts, so please watch your Bill White For Houston email closely in the coming days for requests for volunteer help. You may also help immediately by donating to one of the following organizations or another relief organization of your choice:

HOUSTON FOOD BANK, 3811 Eastex Freeway, is accepting the following donations in the Katrina Disaster Relief Effort. For more information, call (713) 223-3700.

Non-perishable food
Baby formula
Paper goods such as plates, cups, diapers, & tissue
Cleaning supplies, personal hygiene products
Drinking water in plastic bottles
Snacks and ready to eat meals (MREs)
Heat and serve food such as chili, soup, canned vegetables, and meat
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE HOUSTON AREA ACCEPTING DONATIONS OF VARIOUS ITEMS:

West University Baptist Church, 6218 Auden Street, (713) 668-2319
Bumbera's Performance Associates, 630 Highway 6 South, 77079 (281) 493-9300
Lakewood Church, 3700 Southwest Freeway, Accepting donations Sept. 1 and 2, (713) 635-4154
Church of Christ, 1704 Weber, (713) 864-5667
Lansdowne-Moody, (713) 672-8366, is collecting food and clothing at the four locations below
8445 East Freeway, 77029
11810 S. Sam Houston Parkway West, 77031
1600 FM 528, Webster, 77598
23738 Hempstead Highway, Cypress, 77429
Houston-area YMCAs are collecting gift cards to help victims pay for gas, food and other items
Impact Houston Church of Christ, 1704 Weber, (832) 641-5900
Consignor's Club, 22704 Loop 494 Ste D, Humble, 77339, (281) 359-9090
Spring Tabernacle Church, 3031 F.M. 2920, Spring; (281) 353-1851
Memorial Baptist Church, 600 W. Sterling, Baytown (281) 427-1725 (no food or clothes)
Baytown Community Center, 2407 Market Street, Baytown (281) 422-8281
Moody Methodist Church, 2803 53rd Street, Galveston (409) 744-4526
MONETARY DONATIONS:

American Red Cross: (800) HELP NOW (435-7669)
Salvation Army: (800) SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
America's Second Harvest: (800) 344-8070
Adventist Community Services: (800) 381-7171
Catholic Charities, USA: (703) 549-1390
Christian Disaster Response: (941) 956-5183 or (941) 551-9554
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee: (800) 848-5818
Church World Service: (800) 297-1516
Convoy of Hope: (417) 823-8998
Lutheran Disaster Response: (800) 638-3522
Nazarene Disaster Response: (888) 256-5886
Operation Blessing: (800) 436-6348
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance: (800) 872-3283
Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief: (800) 462-8657, ext. 6440
United Methodist Committee on Relief: (800) 554-8583
All Houston-area Randall's
Thank you so much for any help and support you can provide.