The Centers for Independent Living in Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans have been gravely affected by the hurricane. In fact the Biloxi, MS center was totally destroyed.
Here are the suggested options for right now:
1) Send a check or credit card payment to the Red Cross and designate it for people with disabilities in the Biloxi/Hattiesburg or New Orleans areas.
2) If you want to send money for the CILs that are dealing with this disaster directly, here are your options:
For the Biloxi Center, mail the check (payable to LIFE of Central MS and designated for the Biloxi Center) to:
LIFE of Central Mississippi 754 North President Street, Suite 1 Jackson, MS 39202
For the centers in Louisiana (make checks payable to Resources for Independent Living - this is a branch of the N.O. center - and designate for the New Orleans center)and mail to:
Resources for IL 11931 Industriplex Blvd. Suite 200 Baton Rouge, LA 70809
We have also learned from Mack Marsh of the Shreveport Center that centers in Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Lake Charles are assisting evacuees. Mack says they would also appreciate supplies if there is any way to get those supplies to the centers. His list includes: manual wheelchairs, hospital beds, adult diapers, bed pads, catheters and other supplies. The address for the Baton Rouge center is shown above, addresses for the Shreveport and Lake Charles centers follow.
Southwest LA Independence Center, Inc. Mitch Granger 1202 Kirkman, Suite C Lake Charles, LA 70601
New Horizons, Inc. Jerry Kidwell 9300 Mansfield Road, Suite 204 Shreveport, LA 71118