One woman raised $10,000 for victims in Arkansas. A local philanthropist donated $100,000 to relief efforts.
By Vive DeCou / Special to The Malibu Times
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, many stories of heroism and humanity have surfaced. Malibu residents and organizations have contributed to the relief efforts in unique ways and are inspiring others to join in their efforts.
Barbie Rae spent Labor Day weekend raising money and collecting goods for the hurricane victims in a booth at the Chili Cook-Off. By the end of Labor Day weekend, Rae and her friends and relatives had collected cards and toys and raised more than $10,000 to send to the First United Methodist Church in West Memphis, Ark. The church will then use the money to help the local population.
“We are giving $20 gas vouchers to families in the area because gas is $3.50 a gallon,” said Sarah Sealand, a Malibu native who is the church’s children’s minister. “It [gas price] jumped a dollar in a day.” The church is also supplying coloring books and toys for children, distributing kits containing personal hygiene items and feeding many displaced families. Sealand said the church has also helped families in other ways. One couple was given hotel accommodations for a week while their infant girl was being treated at a nearby hospital.
Sealand retains close ties to the Malibu community. She shared her story in a letter to members of the Kiwanis club of Malibu, who then shared it with Rae. Rae said the letter inspired her and further galvanized her efforts to help those in need.
“This is real,” she said. “They are asking for help and we can help.”
Rae said having a specific place to donate helped everyone feel more connected to the process of giving aid. “I want [Malibu residents] to know that it really went to good use and they [hurricane victims] already got their money.”
Rae said she enjoyed seeing children getting into the spirit of giving. She said it was usually the kids who read her sign and brought their parents over to her booth. They came back several times to donate their birthday money and toys they had won at the Chili Cook-Off.
“These kids truly have so much in their lives and wanted to give to other children that had lost everything,” Rae said.
Rae collected more than 300 cards written by Malibu children for kids at the First United Methodist Church. Sealand said that the children in Arkansas appreciated that there were people in other places thinking of them.
Jere Rae-Mansfield, Rae’s mother-in-law, assisted Rae with the project. She took charge of organizing collected goods and donated the packaging and shipping costs. Rae-Mansfield gave her daughter-in-law credit, but called the project a community effort.
“The people of Malibu just opened their generous arms and gave us $10,000,” she said. “I think it’s cool that Malibu comes together like this.”
Ansley Holly has also seen the people of Malibu coming together to help. Her Malibu office has become a depot for donated supplies on their way to shelters in Texas. She became motivated upon hearing reports of evacuees that didn’t have basic necessities.
“People are showing up at shelters with no shoes, no socks-wearing the same clothes for seven days,” Holly said.
As of Tuesday, Holly had shipped eight boxes of supplies. She urged others to get involved by contacting state representatives in areas affected by the hurricane who will know what shelters need supplies and how to contact them.
Local philanthropist Ozzie Silna, moved to donate by son Spencer Silna, made a $100,000 donation as a challenge grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. Silna said in a press release that he and his son hope the grant will spur others in the community to donate. The president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Roxanne Spillett, estimated that 17 Boys & Girls Club facilities along the Gulf Coast were destroyed or damaged by the hurricane. Boys & Girls Clubs that were unaffected in surrounding areas are now being used to house refugees. Donations to the organization will be used for the immediate needs of victims of the storm and later for the rebuilding of lost facilities.
On Sept. 24, the popular documentary “March of the Penguins” will be screened at Malibu Bluffs Park, with the money raised going toward the Red Cross’ hurricane relief efforts. The event is being run by The Malibu Times and CineMalibu. The film will begin at 7:30 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to donate $10 for adults and $5 for children. There will be food for sale at the screening and a raffle/auction. Volunteers and raffle items are needed.
Pepperdine University is also participating in the relief effort. The school has partnered with Harding University in Searcy, Ark. to provide 270,000 meals and bottled drinking water to victims.
The nonprofit animal rescue group, Much Love Animal Rescue, is seeking foster parents in the Los Angeles area for 100 dogs and many cats that are coming from Louisiana. The pets are going to be reunited with their families when they are located. Much Love Animal Rescue is also in urgent need of microchips, crates and money.
To contact the First United Methodist Church, call 870.735.1805 or send money and items to 215 North Missouri St., West Memphis Arkansas, 72301. To volunteer for the film screening, call David Lyons at 818.657.9319. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America can be reached at 800.805.2582. To help Much Love Animal Rescue, contact Kim Finger at Kim.finger@gmail.com or Cindy Short at info@laughingdogart.com.