Can you imagine what it would be like to have your home completely obliterated in a matter of minutes? Have everything you own completely swept away? Or be stranded in water so high that your only chance of survival is to climb to the roof and pray for the rescue that probably won't happen? Or even worse, be on your way to the hospital with a broken ankle, have your vehicle float away, and be forced to turn back on a makeshift raft while fighting off water rats and trying to maneuver around the dead bodies floating by?

Well...neither can I. But that's exactly what's happened to many of our Pagan brothers and sisters in New Orleans.

Fortunately, most of them escaped with their lives. But their personal devastation is horrific. And their chances of rebuilding, even more so. That's because the magical community there is often overlooked when it comes time for the government to dole out its aid. And why is that? It's because most of the organizations with ties to the relief aid see to their own first: the people who belong to their churches and religious organizations. Please understand that these folks aren't bad people. It's just that money and supplies are short. And by the time they get around to doling out what's left over, the funds and supplies simply aren't there.

For this reason, it's time to step up to the plate, support our own, and do what's right for them. It's time to do the very things we'd want someone to do for our families if we were in their situation. And it's time to do it now.

Thankfully, many of you have already gone the extra mile by sending supplies, food, and clothing. Others supported our NOLA Pagan Relief Auction, graciously sponsored by the folks at E-Witch, and helped us to raise over $10,000.00 for the cause. Some of you even went as far as to go to New Orleans and help with the clean up. And your kindness and generosity not only astounds me, but brings me to that point of emotion where mere words like "thank you" simply don't seem enough. Without you, the recovery process could not have begun - and because of you, progress is being made each and every day.

Unfortunately, it's not enough.

Even though this disaster hit in August, many people are still without electricity or natural gas. Many are still struggling against hunger, and as it's unseasonably cold there just now, for warmth, as well. That's because very few FEMA and insurance claims have yet to be completed, and those which have been are sorely lacking to say the least. [One family received only $322.00 for their total losses, even though their home was nearly destroyed in the storms. Hard to believe that anyone could be expected to rebuild on that - and yet, that's exactly what our government expects them to do!]

So...how can you help?

Please start by going through your closets for extra coats, blankets, and sweaters. But don't stop there. Ask your neighbors to go through theirs as well. [The extra warmth provided by things you aren't going to use anyway could go a long way toward preventing colds, flu, and even pneumonia.] Then ship them to:

Gift cards are a good idea, too. Both Walmart and Target Supercenters are open in the area, and a card from one of these stores will allow folks to purchase what they need, whether it be food or some other basic necessity. Gift cards may be sent to the address listed above.

If you'd rather send a check, that's fine, too. Checks may be made out to Velvet Rieth, and mailed to the address above. Should you choose to go this route, please put CPWC Donation in the memo line, and ask for a tax receipt if you'd like one.

If sending money via PayPal is easier for you, that's a viable option as well. Just send your donation to the Covenant of the Pentacle Wiccan Church via velvet@swampwitch.net.

I know it seems that I've done nothing but beg for NOLA assistance for the last few months. But I'm not going to apologize for that. And if you could see the devastation there first-hand like I did, you wouldn't expect me to. Fact is, I will continue to beg shamelessly until every child has a meal, until a hot shower is the norm instead of a luxury, and until every family there has a habitable living space again. I will continue to beg until every one there can once again enjoy the basic necessities that you and I take for granted every single day. Yes, I will continue to beg until our brothers and sisters in New Orleans have regained some sense of normalcy, can stand on their own two feet again, and once more can spout "Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!" and mean it.

Someone once told me that one person cannot make a difference. And my response to them was "Bullshit!" It only takes just one more drop of water to make the bucket overflow. And it only takes just one more person to fix even the most dreadful problem or counteract the most dastardly deed. With your help, we can not only put our New Orleans community back on its feet and rebuild their personal spaces, we can rebuild their very lives. We can put the magic back in New Orleans. And that's what family - and community - is all about!

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