Helping the people of New Orleans

Our hearts go out today to the people of New Orleans, a truly special city, and to the rest of the Gulf Coast devastated by the hurricane.

Nothing I can say or write will help. We're going to make a contribution today, but that seems so inadequate. People desperately need help, and many will never recover from this tragedy. And all we can do is write a check. I wish there were something more to do.

If you want to help, here are some suggestions:

Where to Donate

A variety of government and private agencies are en route to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, and federal officials said people wanting to help should not head to the affected area unless directed by an agency. Instead, Michael Brown, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urged people to make cash contributions to organizations. Cash donations "allow volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs," he said.

FEMA listed the following agencies as needing cash to assist hurricane victims:

· American Red Cross, 800-HELP-NOW (435-7669) English, 800-257-7575 Spanish.

· America's Second Harvest, 800-344-8070.

· Adventist Community Services, 800-381-7171.

· Catholic Charities USA, 800-919-9338.

· Christian Disaster Response, 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554.

· Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, 800-848-5818.

· Church World Service, 800-297-1516.

· Convoy of Hope, 417-823-8998.

· Lutheran Disaster Response, 800-638-3522.

· Mennonite Disaster Service, 717-859-2210.

· Nazarene Disaster Response, 888-256-5886.

· Operation Blessing, 800-436-6348.

· Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, 800-872-3283.

· Salvation Army, 800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769).

· Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief, 800-462-8657, Ext. 6440.

· United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583.

-- Associated Press

In Wisconsin

Greater Milwaukee chapter, American Red Cross, (414) 342-8680

Southeast Wisconsin Tri-County chapter, American Red Cross, (262) 554-9997

--Milwaukee Journal Sentinel