I want to thank everyone who has offered to help Stacey. I noticed that almost everything has been purchased off of her baby registry. You guys are awesome. If you had written asking for her address and I didn’t respond? I was NOT ignoring you…Please know it was just an oversight (as I was OVERWHELMED with emails regarding helping, which is so awesome.)
I just recieved an email from a reader whom I put in contact with Stacey. She was able to meet her last night and spend some time talking with Stacey (and her brother, who is living with her). Something I did NOT know? She was at the superdome. Ugh. If you’re interested, click on the extended entry to read the email.
Again, thank you for your help and generousity.

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Some concern was brought up in the comments of my last post about the whole “Stacey” story possibly being a scam. I wasn’t upset by the suggestion. I did get a tad bit defensive (because, DO PEOPLE THINK I’M THAT STUPID?!), but that’s just how I am. I’m highly emotional and react without thinking things through sometimes. Ok, most times. Ok, pretty much all of the time.
I emailed the lady I had met at Target, Kim. I told her that I had no doubts, but that some people had questioned the story. (Understandably so.) She sent a reply, along with pictures. I will not post the pictures, but I will post the email, minus the personal details. I can provide anyone truly concerned with that info, but I’m hoping this will put any doubts to rest.

Yvonne: I am sending you some pic from Tx. Also,you can call the mayor’s office in San Antonio,whom I spoke with today and they will confirm her at the shelter. Also,you can speak to the charge nurses at the shelter, Pat Osborne and Karen.
If you need anything else let me know. I will send the pic asap..Kim
p.s. I am senior vice president of Coldwell Banker Commercial. XXXXX, Ca. XXXXX XXXXXXr is my boss and he will tell you, I would never lie about anything like this.

She included pictures of the shelter and of Stacey and her phone number. Also, pictures of herself at the shelter with these people.
One more thing, I spoke with Ma’Melly and asked her if it would be possible to send boxes to her and have her deliver them personally to Stacey. She was all “OF COURSE! I’D LOVE TO HELP!” So, today, she’s going to call Stacey to find out exactly where she’s staying. Email me if you were unable to have something shippped to the PO Box and I’ll put you in touch with Melly.
Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping. We are making a difference. You all are incredibly generous people.
xoxo

I’ve made a baby registry for Stacey. I called her to make sure it was ok with her. She was very thankful and I told her I’ll be keeping in touch in case they move her, so I can make sure anything purchased is sent to the right place.
Baby registry.
If you can’t buy from the wishlist but you have things you want to send (and I know some of you do, I’ve read your emails and will be responding very shortly) to her on your own, like pampers/clothing for her or her kids/personal items, I’ll send you her P.O Box info.
I love you guys for being so concerned and generous. I KNOW people are pretty much spent, so the fact that so many of you have responded is awesome. Thank you. So SO much.
**UPDATED**
I have a reader who lives in SA. She called Stacey this morning, then called me back with some GOOD NEWS. Stacey got an apartment! And? She’ll still be getting everything that’s sent to her P.O Box, so no worries there. I called her immediately after hanging up with Nicole. I told her there were gifts on the way and that I’d keep the word out about her other children. They are getting help with furniture, but They NEED clothing and baby things. They do not need toys, the kids have toys. OH OH and? I didn’t realize she has THREE children. A 2 year old girl. So, the clothing sizes she needs are as follows. Size 3/4t girl/ Size 8 boy/ Size 7slim girl and size 16/18 womens.
She sounds a little, um, leary (sp?) about all of the help but I don’t blame her, I told her that I completely understand if she’s a bit freaked out about all of these strangers wanting to help her, but I asked her to trust me that we’re Good People who just want to help her and her children. I can’t thank you all enough for your help.

While in the checkout line at Target, a very friendly woman approached me to tell me how much she loved my earrings.
“They’re very egyptian. They look beautiful with your outfit, you just look so exotic.”
There was really no point in telling you THE ENTIRE COMPLIMENT, other than to let The Internet know that someone called me “exotic.”
I told her I got them right there from Target! Because, you know, I can’t afford to buy from the expensive jewelery stores with three kids.
That led to a conversation about how you really never have “enough money” to have kids, but, everything always works out. I told her that when I found out I was pregnant with the beautiful little girl who was waving at her, that we had absolutely NO MONEY and how I panicked.
“God KNEW you needed her, though.”
She then begin to tell me how she just got back from San Antonio, working with victims of Katrina as a nurse. She told me of a woman she cared for who lost her husband, is about ready to have a baby and has absolutely nothing.
My heart broke.
“I want to help her” I blurted out.
“I’ll give you her cell phone number, you can call her and ask her what she needs.”
I rushed home, grabbed the phone, took a few deep breaths and dialed the number. As soon as she answered, I started to cry. I introduced myself and told her I wanted to help her. She told me she doesn’t have ANYTHING for the new baby that is about to be born. Her kids don’t have anything.
From what Kim (the nurse that I met) told me, there are thousands of evacuees that are being completely ignored. She was angry. SO VERY ANGRY. She said it’s unbelievable what’s going on. She’s called the mayor and the LA Times because she wants everyone to know what’s really happening and how the people who “aren’t at the Atrodome with Oprah and the reporters” are being completely overlooked and are in great need.
That’s why I am going to do what I can to help Stacey. That’s the woman’s name. I have her phone number and now I have her PO Box number. If you’d like to help her, please, PLEASE email me and I’ll give you the address where you can send things to. She needs baby items (again, she has NOTHING) she also needs clothes (size 16) as well as clothes for her children (girl, size 7, boy, size 8).
I have been crying ever since I first heard this woman’s voice.
I feel blessed to be able to help her. If you’d like to help too, just leave a comment or email me.
(this is one of those posts that will have to go unedited because Gabby is awake and I shouldn’t even be on this computer, but I had to write about this. I had to.)

I’ve hand written a letter to my neighbor asking them to join in Michele’s effort to get School Supplies to victims of Katrina.
I’m hoping that they come through in a very big way. I realize if they do, I’ll be having to fork out a great deal of money for shipping, but I’m willing to do that to make sure these kids get things they desperately need right now.
To those of you, be it friends or strangers, who want to throw your “BUSH” comments my way, how about you use that energy to help the vicims instead of sending me emails of leaving me comments, because, really? How is that helping?
Now, I’m off to Kinkos to have the flyers printed so that me and the kids can pass them out. Then, it’s off to Target to buy some supplies to donate. I can’t even describe how good it feels to be doing something…
**Michele has set up a Wishlist for those who want to help, but don’t have a paypal account or the time to buy/ship the items to her.

Jen and Amy both passed along a link to a wondeful site if you’re interested in helping the victims of hurricane Katrina.
I wanted to pass it along to all of you.
Been There Clearinghouse.
Also? I’m going to be sorting through pictures and hopefully finding one good enough to put up for auction. If you’d like to participate, join the group and get to posting a picture.
Can I just tell you how much I LOVE that people are coming together to do something. Just makes me feel a little better.
Ya know?