Winter: Cash to Red Cross still best way to help

Folks along the Gulf states continue to suffer from the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Our friend William Winter, the former governor of Mississippi, reports that the best thing anyone can do in the short term is to make contributions to the American Red Cross.

"In the longer term, it is going to take a massive support effort to rebuild not only the economic and physical infrastructure on the Coast and in New Orleans but the civil society of that area as well....In New Orleans, there will be nothing to go back to for weeks and possibly months."

Another friend, Will Robinson of Washington, D.C., says another way to help in the New Iberia/Acadiana area where his wife's people are from is to give to the local United Way:

"Like many of you, Lynn and I have already given to the Red Cross, but the United Way is leading the struggle in Acadiana to make sure people can eat tonight. The United Way is working through local nonprofit organizations, including churches, to mobilize assistance in the most effective manner possible. They've guaranteed that 100% of the fund will support evacuee services. They have an on-line donation form set up.

http://www.unitedwayofacadiana.com

(If you experience any difficulties with the form please keep trying. You may get a notice that the form is not available - it is up and working. The Internet and phones have been spotty throughout Louisiana. It took me a couple of tries to get it to work.)

"The situation in Louisiana and Mississippi may get worse before it gets better, but this is something we can do right now to help feed and clothe people."