Hurricane Gustav

As of this writing (17:37hrs on 30-AUG-2008) Hurricane Gustav is a Cat 4 storm and is still on course for Louisiana.

But that brings up something that happened during Hurricane Katrina, and happens all too frequently.

If you remember, in the hours and days after Katrina roared ashore, numerous "charities" sprang up claiming to represent honest charity groups and organizations.  These "charities" (I'm trying not to spit as I write that, because these are criminals.  Plain and simple.  If it were up to me, I'd jail every last one of them ... and put them to work at hard labour.  They are, in my opinion, among the lowest of the low.) claimed to be collecting monies for the Red Cross and other legitimate charities, and then ran off.

Beware, my friends, because although this is another of those 'duh' moments, the same thing will happen after Gustav makes landfall.

The American Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/) has on its website a list of their chapters, as well as ways to spot thieves. 

If you do donate to charity (I hope you do!), give only to legitimate charities, such as the American Red Cross.  (As an aside, and in the interest of full disclosure, I have no relationship in any way with the American Red Cross.  I do donate money to them, but that is all.)

Beware of those who call you and claim to be involved with legitimate charities.  Ask questions!  The real charities won't mind this.  The bogus ones will.  Visit their website (if they have one.) 

And if they claim to be collecting money for the Red Cross, consider giving the money directly to the Red Cross.  (Again, the Red Cross and other legitimate charities have on their respective sites addresses and locations where you can give money and other items.  They will also tell you with whom they do business, and what other charities collect money and other items for them.)  But please be cautious.

Although there are many legitimate organizations that do collect money and other items for the Red Cross and other charities, (yes, another 'duh' moment) we're about to be inundated with scams and criminals claiming to do the same thing. 

Please, please be careful. 

One final note on this subject:  I've named the Red Cross several times.  And they are an excellent legitimate charity that does wonderful work.  But they're not the only one, to be sure.  There are many other legitimate charities out there that also do wonderful work.  If you do donate to charity (I hope you do!) consider also giving to them.

We're all in this together.

FOR THOSE IN HARM'S WAY:

My thoughts, indeed my prayers, go out to you.  If you can leave on your own, please do so.  If you do need assistance, contact a charity or your local authorities to see about getting assistance to evacuate.  Take only what you need, and please don't forget to take your important papers with you.  (These include your passport, birth certificate for yourself and family members, bank account information, and so on.  Also, your Social Security Card, Driver's License (or State ID,) and other such documents.) 

The reason I mentioned that is because there are even lower people out there who will loot stores and homes.  And some of those are identity thieves.

Please be careful, and I will hold you in my prayers.