Twice-Told Tale: One New Orleans Family's Double Helping of Loss (and a Chance to Help).

 Posted by Cockney Robin | Bill Kavanaugh, one of our internet mates, has called our attention to the continuing tragic plight of a family of nine from the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans, who lost their home not once, but twice, in what he rightly calls "an incredibly cruel twist of fate."   (Bring Miracle Home— A Plea for Help)  Katrina filled the Joseph family's house with 10 feet of water and crushed it under a massive tree. (Kavanaugh)   They used their insurance money to rebuild their house, but after the house was 80% complete, someone set light to a stolen car that was parked nearby, and the whole structure burned to the ground.  They do not have the means to rebuild again.  You can read a news story here.

Fortunately for the Josephs and for humankind generally, some very fine people banded together to raise money to help them rebuild.  Those good people have organised a website on behalf of the Josephs where you---and we---can donate to the cause of restoring this family's home. You can visit the website here.  A recent note about the progress of the cause is here.  And we hope that you will find your way to this page, where you can make a donation (online or offline).    

Damozel and I once had a conversation about the remoteness of charity in the modern age and how institutionalised and distant from its intended recipients it can seem.  Here's a chance to provide direct and concrete help to a struggling family which has experienced a degree of loss and dislocation that few Americans have ever experienced---not for the tax deduction (your contribution will not qualify)---but because you want to help.   

You'll also have the satisfaction of contributing to the efforts of a group of people who aren't in the charity business, but who have come together out of compassion to help bring aid to a family in dire need. 

The $5 (or more if you're up to it) contributions of a large number of people can rebuild the whole world.  Taking a moment to send a message to this family can rebuild their hopes.  We hope you will step back from your life and contemplate for a moment what sort of community you would want for your own loved ones in similar circumstances...and then help to create it for the Josephs.

Comments

[Vixen]

what a great, great cause. thanks for the links.

[billkav]

Thanks for helping to let people know about the Joseph family's plight. I hope your readers will respond. There are so many things we can do little about, but if people all over the country who read our blogs will do a little bit, at least this one family can have a shot at rebuilding, yet again.

You at BNP are great to step up for the Josephs!