> Opportunity strikes when you don't expect it:  Larry suggested doing
> something one-on-one.  Well, opportunity knocks.  The Peoria center has
> some NOLA folks, and a number of them have come in looking for cell
> phones.  Some needed a $100-$125 deposit (Nextel/Sprint), and they
> wondered if we could help.
>
> Well, I thought about Larry's suggestion, helping someone one-on-one, with
> communications, aka: cell phone service.  I prefer to not be in the
> middle, but here is a possibility:
> 1) confirm that the person is from NOLA of course
> 2) suggesting that you "talk" to them, and make a personal decision.
> 3) if you agree, we would help the customer setup their electronic billing
> with the carrier of choice, and you could contribute to their bill.  Once,
> or as many times as you like.
> 4) if you want to help them get started, and pay the deposit, that could
> be done as well.
>
> I didn't expect this to come up but it just did.  Which brings me to this
> person from NOLA, staying at a Peoria temporary home.  Her name is Sandra
> M, and if you want to be connected to her, via her temporary home, you
> have the option of picking up her $100 deposit.  Drop me a note if you'd
> like to be connected with her and help.  An opportunity to help one NOLA
> person has now been dropped in your lap.
>
> (Their verizon deposit was $400... so, we tried other carriers...in case
> you wondered)
>
> Or you can kiss this off as a bad idea... dr
>> Peoria, puts their hearts where it belongs.  Expecting 200-2000 people
>> for free housing and care.
>>
>> A Peoria area Baptist church, working with the Red Cross AND the
>> Salvation Army, offered to house 200-2000 people at their facility.  We
>> understand that the offer has been accepted, and they are waiting for
>> confirmation that a large group of people is being air-lifted to the
>> area.  The Baptist church is organizing volunteers, food, accommodation,
>> playground equipment, and dry green grass to play on.  While I can't say
>> how many will be here, the call for volunteers to assist has been made on
>> local media.
>>
>> I guess if we can't get to NOLA, we bring them to us.  Happy to report
>> that so many have come to the aid of those in need.  Not just Peoria, but
>> the global community.  Feels good, doesn't it.   dr
>>
>> PS: I looked at the NOLA forum, and it is outstanding.  It would have
>> been better if someone had set some rules for posting subject lines in a
>> standard format.  But perfect would have been better planning before the
>> storm.
>>> They don't need internet access, we do.  If we published phone
>>> number(s), they call in, and we do the internet.  For sure, internet is
>>> their last concern, but communication is a high concern.  We/you/I take
>>> the call, and we post into the "blog" or whatever it is called.
>>> Keyword, last name, first name.  If you want to pick up a message or
>>> leave a message, you call.  Of course, if you have internet access,
>>> great.
>>>
>>> We need the internet access and a phone.  We publish our service, and do
>>> the transcribe to post, or read if someone asks if they have a message.
>>> I imagine this:
>>>
>>> Carol Williams calls in asking about "bob smith"  We then create a blog
>>> or notes entry called:
>>> Smith, Bob, 555-123-1234: carol williams called you at 10:15am Sunday.
>>> Wanted you to know that your cat/dog were fine and are being cared for
>>> at xxx.xxx.xxxx.  We know you are busy, so we will check in each day to
>>> see if we have made a connect.  Don't worry about your xxxxxx, as we've
>>> already contacted them and are taking care of your xxxxx.  (time/date
>>> stamp)
>>>
>>> I would think this is just "notes", but perhaps what I'm describing is
>>> now called a blog.  dr
>>>
>>> (It is just an idea... no middle man, and anyone who can field a call,
>>> can enter this information.  If it is dumb, I'm okay with that as well.
>>> Just thinking)
>>>> "dr.news" wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Larry, "idea." in 911, they created  a local message board.
>>>>>
>>>>> <snip>
>>>>
>>>> One problem... How many, of those involved, have Internet access?
>>>>
>>>> Notan