"It is a zoo out there though, make no mistake. It’s the wild kingdom. It’s Lord of the Flies. That doesn’t mean there’s murder on every street corner. But what it does mean is that the rule of law has collapsed, that there is no order, and that property rights cannot and are not being enforced. Anyone who is on the streets is in immediate danger of being robbed and killed. It’s that bad.”
This is just some of the first-hand reporting/blogging posted in cyberspace from New Orleans by “The Interdictor”.
GRACEFEST, a music festival held in Pensacola, FL each year has officially cancelled this year’s events. I received the following e-mail this afternoon since I was slotted to play there along with many other Christian artists this month. Thank you GRACEFEST leadership for putting your resources behind hurricane relief efforts instead of a show. If everyone who would have attended your festival helps out instead, makes a donation the size of your ticket price, many needs will be met and lives saved. Thank you for your example.
This is the third gig I’ve had cancel for the month of September. The first two were churches converted into refugee housing. It’s oddly good to lose work because the Church is doing it’s job.
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Shaun,
Due to the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast, the decision has been made to cancel GraceFest for September 16 & 17.
This decision was a difficult one to make and was based on the following factors:
1) Governor Bush has appealed to the citizens of the State of Florida to conserve resources, particularly fuel and utilities. Due to the fuel shortage, he has asked for employers to allow for four day work weeks or for employees to be allowed to work from home if necessary. Our county commission has also requested citizens to conserve gasoline and not make any unnecessary trips.
2) Hotel Availability- Our area now has almost 10,000 evacuees from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana and 2/3 of our hotels rooms are housing them as well as in multiple shelters. As an organization we do not want to risk evacuees being displaced.
3) Resources Diverted to Relief Efforts - We have a shortage of volunteer manpower for the event as many of our volunteers are involved in the continuing relief/recovery efforts. Our military/uniformed security volunteers have all been reassigned to relief efforts. Other infrastructure such as communications and generators have been sent for use in relief efforts.
4) One third of our GraceFest market in the past years was from Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. Naturally, none of those attendees will be coming.
5) The largest Christian Radio station for the Mobile/Pensacola area, that has driven ticket sales in the past, was taken off the air by Hurricane Katrina with no indication of when they will return to the air.
6) The Northwest Florida area has been through Hurricane recovery of Ivan, Arlene, Cindy and most recently Hurricane Dennis and is now poised to reach out and help those to the west of us with all available resources.
We feel that with the critical basic human needs that need to be met, it would be irresponsible for us to go ahead with an event that would further deplete both physical resources and volunteer manpower.
Our prayer is that you will not only understand our need to cancel but to join in the relief efforts in any way that you are able. In a few months we may be in a position to produce a fundraising concert event and would welcome your participation.
May God continue to bless you all individually and in your ministries.
The Executive Committee
GraceFest
THIS IS THE LATEST E-MAIL UPDATE FROM DON DONAHUE ON BEHALF OF THE FOLKS PUTTING TOGETHER THE SLIDELL LOUISIANA RELIEF TRUCK. IT WAS SENT TO ME LAST NIGHT (9 1 05). FOR MORE INFO READ THE TWO POSTS AFTER THIS ONE.
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I wrote most all of you earlier today to tell you of a need that has come in today for some friends who are desperately trying to set up a shelter at a church in Slidell, Louisiana for refugees of the storm. At 11:30am this morning my friend Jay Hall from Maxx Technology got off the phone with the sister of one of his artists who both had lost everything in Katrina’s wake - and still there desire is to have their church building be a refuge even though that building itself doesn’t have power or water - 200 people can have shelter there - but they need everything. I am very happy to report that not quite 12 hours later there is over $25,000 in donations that have come in (someone even gave me cash at the titans game tonight after reading the earlier email!) Laura and I went by the warehouse at 9:30 tonight [9 1 05] and were overwhelmed by what we saw. Palate upon Palate of water, diapers, blankets, pillows, food, clothing, medicine and so much more. They were getting the 18 wheeler ready to load. It’s quite an organized operation over there—very inspiring. BUT THERE’S STILL TIME. They’re planning on holding the truck until 11:30 or 12 tomorrow [actually today, 9 2 05]. Contrary to my earlier email if you can still bring supplies by take them Straight to MAXX’s Warehouse. It’s on Crossroads Blvd in Cool Springs [that’s in Franklin, TN]. Suite 111 of the Brentwood South Warehouse district. (For those of us who have kids it’s about 10 doors to the left of Pump it up.)
One more need, and that’s prayer. The Maxx team has been advised from very top sources that they will have plenty of hurdles to clear once they get on the road. They need to talk themselves across the boarders of both Mississippi and Louisiana - if they make it into the states (they have some names to help them get in), they have been advised to make the delivery into Slidell after nightfall - drop the supplies into the church under darkness and get out of town. Supply trucks are very vulnerable to attack, highjacking and worse. It is beyond a desperate situation. Pray for safety for our friends, the drivers and all who are going on this mission trip. Remember, this is 8 hours south of Nashville, not Africa. Amazing.
Thanks for your amazing support in such little time...and remember, there’s still time in the morning. Call me if you have any questions.
Don
JUST SENT OUT BY DON DONAHUE VIA E-MAIL. MORE ABOUT THIS EFFORT IN THE NEXT POST AS WELL.
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Hey Friends,
You will undoubtedly received dozens of opportunities to help the
disaster in Louisiana and Mississippi, so allow me to be one of the
first.
Our next door neighbors in our building, MAXX TECHNOLOGY, has had this
devastation hit close to home. They manage an artist on Integrity
named Jason Morant. Jason and his wife have lost their home in the
floods in New Orleans, but that’s not the issue. The issue is Jason’s
sister, who also lost her home, is trying to establish a refugee
housing center for 200 people in her church in Slidell. Literally
100’s of people are arriving on foot with no food, water or shelter.
These forward thinking folks have ALREADY had a semi donated to them,
our goal here at 2035 Mallory Ln is to pack that truck to head out with
supplies to Slidell by noon FRIDAY.
The most obvious needs are:
Non Perishable Food (Cans)
Water
Blankets
Pillows
air mattresses
cots
toilet paper and other paper goods
baby food and baby wipes
teddy bears
batteries
Please donate something to put on this truck. Drop it off here at
Rocketown (2035 Mallory Ln in cool springs).
Obviously MAXX is fronting all of the cash for this so CASH is really
needed as well. In the 60 Minutes since they started this initiative
they’ve received $9,800 worth of donations PRAISE GOD. Maxx is really
scrambling to get this together but they have committed to each donor
to show an accurate accounting and receipts for this endeavor.
If you have further questions about this Slidell Truck. Please call
the MAXX office at 615-236-1000. Anyone there can help you.
God Bless you, and sorry to do this in group form, but I invite you to
include me on any needs you see come up as well. I figured you may be
looking for a place to plug in. This is a good one.
Don
Don Donahue
President
Rocketown Records
I just spoke with a friend of mine, Jay Hall, over at Maxx Technologies in Franklin, TN and he made me aware of a situation in Louisiana that could use your help. Jason Morant’s sister attends Joy Fellowship in Slidell Louisiana. The church is one of the only, if not the only, church remaining in the city after hurricane Katrina. They would like to house, feed, clothe and care for 200 people in their small building but currently lack supplies. So Jay, owner of a production company, has wrangled a deal from a transportation company in Nashville, for a semi. The truck will leave tomorrow for Slidell with supplies for Joy Fellowship.
Gas prices are high and gas stations are in short supply past Meridian, Mississippi so a gas truck from Texas will more than likely have to meet the relief truck in Slidell and fill it up for the return trip. This is costly. The supplies on the truck won’t be cheap either. Food, equipment to cook food, blankets etc will have to be purchased.
If you’d like to make a donation of supplies or money to the church directly you can do so knowing that it will go to aiding the people of Louisiana. Note n the check that it is for relief efforts. Here is the church’s address:
Joy Fellowship
1510 W. Lindberg
Slidell, LA 70458
If you would like to help with Maxx Tech’s costs you can donate to them directly by mail as well. Note on the check that it is for the Slidell Relief Truck and make checks to Maxx Tech. Send to:
Maxx Tech
Attn: Slidell Relief Truck
PO Box 707
Franklin, TN 37065
This is the Church being the Church. Pray. Help if you can. Updates to come.
SG
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