I just got the following e-mail from Larry Dixon and Mercedes Lackey:
I am trying to get this out to as many platforms as I can, so anyone who can cross post this for me, I would be greatly appreciative. We have about 3 acres of land set up for refuge for people who need it, as well, we are working on coordinating both a lift for people who need it, as well as directions for those that have transportation. Most of the information on this can be found on www.gryphonking.com. Right now, we’re trying to get the word out as fast as possible for all our brothers and sisters in the SciFi and Fantasy community, so any aid in getting this word out will/is appreciated.
I took a look at Larry’s site, where he says
“I’m an experienced emergency worker (7 yrs volunteer firefighter, 2 yrs stormspotter & CERT (Civilian Emergency Response Team)). Mercedes Lackey and I have an existing charitable foundation we are turning towards the effort of helping the fantasy, scifi, and roleplaying games fans hit by Katrina.
When Katrina was coming in, I packed up my rescue gear for activation, and began putting together a civilian relief convoy to help out the Gulf Coast fandom. The high-level dispatch I saw today is, in as many words, “Nobody Goes In” during the continued, and perhaps complete, evacuation of the Gulf Coast. The only aid people that are being specifically asked for at the moment, through my channels, are fast water rescue teams.
So, the angle of the fan/pro/gamer aid effort I’ve been assembling is now shifting on the fly—from one of going in with supplies for those who stayed and pulling out those left homeless, to instead, locating the fans who HAVE evacuated, and relocating them to places they can get back on their feet. We’ll be taking some in ourselves up here in Oklahoma. We have room and resources in house for six or so people and our contractor is readying to rebuild the garage into a bunkhouse to accomodate up to 22 at any one time.”
Spread the word, if you can. Larry and Mercedes seem like Good People™ who are evidence that you learn about what people are really made of during the bad times. And this is a really, really bad time.
In a semi-related story, as of this posting, PokerStars players have contributed well over $10,000, (which will be matched dollar-for-dollar) in our Katrina Relief Tournaments.
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It’s wonderful to see so many people rushing to help out those in need when such terrible natural disasters occur. But I wonder if those same people helping out now ever stop to think about other people in need who have no great disaster to bring attention to their plight. When will those people be helped, I ask? I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with helping out where and when you can, but I’m tired of people jumping on the save-people-who-were-in-this-big-tragic-event bandwagon. There are other people out there in just as much, if not more need of help, but they go un-noticed.
As a long term reader of Lackey’s work, I can verify that she and her husband are Good People
Sounds like you will be doing some good work….
there are 3 new hurricanes heading toward the coast…that’s some scary shit!
I may live up in Pennsylvania, but we still feel the effects.
Mercedes Lackey is one of my favorite authors of all time. I didn’t think there was room for my opinion of her (and her husband!) to go any higher. I was wrong.
Thanks for spreading the word, Wil. I’ve forwarded it on to some lists I’m on.
I just blogged the tourneys on my site:
http://www.troyrutter.com/blog/
On a related note, a friend of mine has set up a site with links to legitimate agencies and how to avoid scams. The section on how to help abandoned pets is very good.
His is at: http://nola-disaster.comicthrash.com/
I would have done it as a trackback, but it looks like youve disabled them. 🙁
Wil Wheaton: Author, Actor, Poker Player, Blogger, Geek and Humanitarian.
It’s spreading like wildfire on LiveJournal. One of my friends is, by happenstance, a long-time friend of theirs who live in Chicago & knows Mercedes from her days with SCA. And then, one of OUR mutual friends lives within a few miles of them and has volunteered their home to act as a supply depot for clothing & bedding (she’s a professional costumer).
As a doctor and poker player, I just want to say thanks to you, Dr. Pauly and the rest of the internet community for what you are doing. Keep up the good work!
-DrC
As a doctor and poker player, I just want to say thanks to you, Dr. Pauly and the rest of the internet community for what you are doing. Keep up the good work!
-DrC
Larry and Misty are good people. I haven’t talked to them in a while, but I think it’s a great thing they’re doing and I know they wish they could give everyone who needs it a roof over their heads. They’ll certainly do for as many as they can. Peace.
This is all great, but I would urge everyone NOT to wait around on their thumbs for the b, c, and d list celebrity fund raising events. JUST GIVE AND GIVE NOW. Do you really have to be romanced into it?
Just a note. if you truly want to help whatever you do.. please DO NOT GIVE YOUR DONATIONS TO THE RED CROSS.
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/US/11/06/rec.charity.hearing/?related
Please find local charities or others like the poker stars tournaments… cut out the middle man and get that money and aid to the people that need it most.