Residents along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana were hit hard this weekend by Hurricane Ike. I should know- my own family residing there has been touched directly by the power of the storm. Millions are without electricity- which for many means no air conditioning (ever been in Houston in September?), little way to find out what’s going on, and no way to cook the food that is beginning to spoil in refrigerators and freezers. Many evacuees remain in shelters, unable to return to homes that no longer exist or that have been badly damaged by the storm.

The situation is bad, and people there need our help. Please, do what you can to help victims of Hurricane Ike as they struggle to rebuild their homes and reclaim their lives.

You can make a difference by donating to the American Red Cross. An average of 91 cents of every dollar the Red Cross spends is invested in humanitarian services and programs. The Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. It is a legitimate organization dedicated to helping those in need.

For information on how to donate through the Red Cross, click here: http://american.redcross.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_main

Sincerely, FWO2 (A proud Texan whose heart is with my family, friends and neighbors back home, even though I’m far away.)