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"We all get so much here...
we ought to do something to make New Orleans a better place."
-- Greg Forbes Siegman, Chairman of The 11-10-02 Foundation
and Former Student Chairman of Community Service at Tulane
(excerpted from The Hullabaloo, New Orleans, December 2001) |
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That was what they quoted me saying four years ago, in an article about my community service efforts in Louisiana a decade earlier when I was an undergrad. The reporter had asked what I'd say to the school's current students, if given the chance to talk to them.
Today, I'd say the same thing -- we ought to do something to make New Orleans (and the Gulf Coast in general) an even better place than we found it -- but I wouldn't just say it to college students in Louisiana. I'd say it to everyone
Here are some ways to help:
(2) The 11-10-02 Foundation. My nonprofit organization, The 11-10-02 Foundation, is going to help, too. We're going to provide grants to help kids affected by the tragedy with their educational needs. It may not seem as 'immediate' as other options, but these kids are going to need this help down the road, too -- and that's usually when donations fade. If you want to help, whether it's $5000 or $5 or somewhere in between, it's tax-deductible and appreciated. (And schools interested in doing penny drives, etc - let us know)
To donate online via Pay Pal, click on "DONATE NOW " - be sure to mention "Gulf Coast", etc... in the Comments section when you do it)
To donate via mail, make a check out to "The 11-10-02 Foundation" and send it to: The 11-10-02 Foundation -- PO Box 11167 -- Chicago, IL 60611 (and mention 'Gulf Coast' on memo line).
(3) The book, The First Thirty (by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson) Paxson's book, which came out earlier this year, chronicles my experience in Louisiana and how it changed my life. A portion of book proceeds from September will be donated to help kids affected by the disaster. To order a copy or copies, go to TheFirstThirty.com and click on Shopping Cart. To order more than 10 copies (ie for your class or staff), email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com |
(4) Get copies of The First Thirty for kids in the Gulf Coast The First Thirty features a place they love (Louisiana) & revolves around two themes they need to think about now more than ever (dealing with life-changing obstacles and turning negatives into positives) -- and they need books. If you, your school or company want to help, whether it's sponsoring 1 copy, 10 or 100, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com If desired, you can provide a note of support to be taped on the inside of the books. UPDATE: A CEO in Chicago and his wife just got this ball rolling. North Community Bank just signed on, too -- getting copies for one class at a school in the Gulf Coast. Who's next?
(5) A specific person to help. While in college, I joined ZBT. Our Chapter of the fraternity (Sigma Chapter) has employed a really special guy for years. If you want to help out, we are calling around San Antonio looking for a restaurant that will give him a job. He is an incredible cook with many years of experience. UPDATE: A restaurant has hired him as a cook. If you are near San Antonio, go eat at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse. Let them know that kindness is good for business! And in the meantime, we could still use clothes for my friend and his kids. Want to help? Let me know at Greg@GregForbes.com UPDATE: Some people in Illinois and Florida sent him and his family boxes of clothing. Thanks!
(6) Stay informed Get the latest news on the Gulf Coast by clicking here.
(7) Letters of support for First Responders in New Orleans. This idea has gotten so much support that I turned it into its very own website. Please check out www.ProjectThankYou.com
(8) Express your thoughts on paper in other ways. Writing down your thoughts can be a positive way to express yourself about a tragic situation - whether it's an essay for class, letter to a friend, or guest column for a paper. Update: I've written some guest columns for a number of papers about different aspects of the tragedy and its aftermath. One of them ran in Illinois (Chicago Sun-Times - Sept 6) Another ran in California (Eureka Reporter - Sept 21 ). Express your thoughts on paper and share them with someone.
(9) Think of other areas. Do any of the above ideas for those affected by the tragedy in other places - like Mississippi or Alabama or Texas.
Please check back here again as we update & expand this list. In the meantime, please email this link to others (www.GregForbes.com, click on Louisiana). Contact me at Feedback@GregForbes.com with questions or ideas, or to sign up for the e-newsletter.
Thank you,
greg
Greg Forbes Siegman
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