This page chronicles our progress and brain-storming. Read from the bottom up.
	On Katrina Ideas, there are one-on-one messages from all over the country which show how creative, energetic, and full of hope resalers can be.
	Katrina Tips gives an outline of what shops can do to help, including gathering a Grub Stake, giving local help, and Round Up for Relief, with a free graphic designed by Deb of Castaways Concepts in California, for us all to use.
	On Katrina Press Release, you'll find a press release for the event, and a discussion about how to write a press release that would be helpful for all events, including those happier than this one.

I dedicate this page to all the resalers who stepped up to help their fellow shopkeepers, their fellow shopkeepers' staffers who were out of a job overnight, and the many people displaced and in strange cities. May we never again have to suffer such devastation, may New Orleans and the surrounding areas recover better than ever...and may resalers always be the caring, selfless people they are. Resalers are living proof that an industry can only benefit by helping its peers.

Kate Holmes

www.tgtbt.com web slave

UPDATES:  FEBRUARY 2006 We can fund-raise using Mardi Gras as an appeal! See my message at Sharing, under Customer Service, dated 2-10-06, about a great way to raise money, perk up the February blahs in our shop, and maybe even, if we send out press releases and make a few phone calls, get some media attention for both our shops and the fact that NEW ORLEANS STILL NEEDS US ---Kate Mardi Gras scaled down this year BY ALAN SAYRE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW ORLEANS — Mardi Gras, which always holds a bit of mystery for outsiders with its fun, frolic and debauchery, is a mystery itself this year for New Orleans, where an estimated two-thirds of its half-million, pre-Katrina populace remains elsewhere. While participants often number more than 1 million, and the typical economic impact is pegged at $1 billion, no one really knows what to expect. ... Any infusion of cash will be welcome in a city that saw most of its tax base washed away by Katrina on Aug. 29 and the ensuing flooding after levees broke. Basic services, such as police protection and firefighting, are being held together with a $120 million federal loan, providing funding only until spring. Because of tight money, this year's Mardi Gras has been scaled back from its usual 12 or so days to eight, starting Feb. 18 and culminating Feb. 28, or Fat Tuesday. But big or not, Mardi Gras still will kick off the return of the tourist business to New Orleans. “Mardi Gras is a compass,” said former resident Eve Marie Stocker. “This is what's normal for the city, and everyone needs a little bit of normalcy.”   NOVEMBER 11 2005 From The Columbiastar.com website Five Points shop owner helps clean up after Hurricane Katrina By Amanda Taylor Heather Craig, Debbie McDaniel, and an employee at Prima Donna’s Closet Debbie McDaniel, owner of Revente consignment shop, recently spent five days in Metairie, LA revitalizing Prima Donna’s Closet, a consignment shop destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. From October 6–11, 2005, McDaniel and her store manager, Heather Craig, helped Stephanie Hirsh, owner of Prima Donna’s Closet, with everything from cleaning, sorting clothing, and merchandising. McDaniel said the whole experience was eye–opening. “I don’t think people have any idea how bad it is there,” she added, shaking her head. “They think the worst is over. But these people have a long way to get back.”     SEPTEMBER 30 2005: It may be "old news" but there is a very long road ahead.     They call it "compassion fatigue." Everyone "gets tired of hearing about it" and wants things to "return to normal"...but there is no normal yet, and won't be for a long time, for victims of Katrina and Rita.      The work of putting together lives has barely started. Imagine how you would feel if your livelihood, your business, looked like these photos. The first shot, of Prima Donna in Metairie, shows the least-damaged of Stephanie Hirsh's shops, the one she hopes to get open first. Deb McDaniel from Revente in Columbia SC, and her shop manager are going down to help. Adele Meyer, Executive Direction of The National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops (NARTS), has alerted association members:  All of Stephanie's inventory was destroyed in the floods and subsequent mildew. She can use start-up inventory to get the store open and to help some of the Katrina survivors. They are also starting a "Clothing Bank" for area folks... many of whom lost everything. (Stephanie mentioned that the nurses who are living in the hospitals have nothing to wear but their scrubs.) What to send... ANY & ALL women's clothing and accessories in good condition. All sizes. All seasons. Normally they would be stocking Fall merchandise, however so many residents lost everything and will need summer clothing for the next couple of months. Where to send packages: Prima Donna's Closet, 4409 Chastant Street, Metairie, LA 70006 Stephanie is facing an overwhelming task but she is determined to re-open & re-employ, doing her part in re-building NOLA. NOTE: If you don't handle women's apparel and want to help... I'm sure Gift Cards to any of the major office supply chains would be very much appreciated and useful. To the left, an interior shot of Prima Donna's New Orleans shops. Deb writes: "Steph went downtown yesterday & saw her 2 shops there. No flooding, but the looters did much more harm than Mother Nature. Most of her stock was stolen, as well as her computer towers, etc. What they didn't steal, they trashed. To top it off, they left piles of poop on her carpet as calling cards." We haven't heard recently from Stephanie Harris, whose shop, Revolutions, was totally destroyed. We know she's safe, and await word of how we can help.    Someone in Canada Loves Me!      Carolyn of Baja Rosi's Consignment Cabana in Victoria BC took an idea mentioned on TGtbT's Sharing Discussion Board and turned it into reality. Read how at our Katrina Ideas Page.     And the results have been amazing! Carolyn wrote, just weeks after she got the idea started: Hello Gang! Well for those of you who are aware of the Canada Loves Me Campaign for Katrina evacuees this message will make sense, if not, please email me directly for info if you are interested in helping. WHAT WE NEED: stores in areas with large amounts of family evacuees, willing to receive a box, or boxes of t-shirts to distribute. WE HAVE 300 t-shirts, signed and paid for ready for shipping tomorrow. Janis in Houston is still tidying up from Rita and is unable to participate (God Bless her and her family, we are so happy she is safe!) MOST of the t-shirts are youth sizes (we wanted to bless the children) there are about 50 adult sizes. They need to be distributed in shelters and areas where there are lots of kids. Each t-shirt comes with a hand written message from the "sponsor" of the shirt."        And this is what's happened: Deb McDaniel (yes, the same powerhouse mentioned above, who's going to Metairie to help Stephanie) answered: "Send 'em on! We have about 1500 here in Columbia, SC. The clearing house (a wonderful 1 stop center where they can get everything!) will only be open another week. Bless you Carolyn for such a giving and cool idea!"

Written September 8 2005:
There's not a lot we all can do immediately, besides having a collection jar in our shops and asking our clientele to help.