Hurricane Katrina Blog Relief Day fundraiser

It is a very small thing I can do, but I would like to bring to your attention some of the many charities that are gearing up to provide comfort and flood aid to the many victims of the terrible Hurricane Katrina that has devastated parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, including New Orleans.

Hugh Hewitt has led the effort to make today, September 1, Hurricane Katrina Blog Relief Day fundraiser. Bloggers will make an effort today to raise funds for charities.

I would like to mention a few charities that are church-oriented. This is part of what we Christians are to do, to lend a hand to the needy, and there are a great many needy in these areas today. Please give what you can.

I recommend the American Baptists, but any of these would be good choices.

(If you do choose to give to the American Baptists, click the Give Now link, then specify a gift under the "One Great Hour of Sharing" section. A login is required, but once past that, specify Hurricane Katrina in the instructions field.)

American Baptist One Great Hour of Sharing

American Baptist has links for donating online at their main page.

Mennonite Disaster Service

MDS describes their efforts at their main page, and has links for donating online.

Nazarene Disaster Response

The Nazarenes have relief efforts underway, and also accept online donations.

The Salvation Army

Few have been providing help as well and as long as the SA.

American Red Cross

Of course, the Red Cross will be very much involved with relief efforts.

The Truth Laid Bear site is tracking the blogs participating in this fundraiser, and has a list of charities.

Instapundit is also tracking charities and blogs involved in this effort.

Thank you for your help!

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Updates

I'm sure you've all heard the reports of the lawlessness and the looting taking place in New Orleans. If you are ever tempted to be proud of the human condition, and think there is a nugget of gold in the heart of all of us, take a look at these animals. I don't mean the people taking food and water, one can understand that. I mean the thugs in that Wal-mart, the ones taking TVs, jewelry, cars, etc... Why? Where are they going to go with that stuff? The city is gone for practical purposes. It is amazing how thin that veil is between us and the abyss. In the space of one day, the hurricane ended lives, wiped out a city, changed so many other lives, and in one day, with the restraint of the rule of law taken away, people exploded into armed gangs. II Thessalonians 2:7 says this:

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

If the criminal savagery in New Orleans is what the world is going to look like when that restraining force is removed, the world is going to be a very scary place.
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Here are some links that give glimpses into the awful conditions on New Orleans...

People stranded in many locations

Lawless looters

Unrest at the Superdome shelter

CNN journalists on the scenes they encountered
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Chuck Simmins is tracking donations from various sources.
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Josh Britton has been providing extensive eyewitness coverage.