As of this afternoon an account has been opened to receive donations for Letterheads effected by Hurricane Katrina.
I will be setting up PayPal this afternoon to receive payments via the web but that may take a few days to be verified.
To speed up an effort already late, The account is under my name, to have it actually say Letterhead Relief Fund I would have had to file for a tax exempt number which I am looking into but to avoid any more time being lost I opened a regular account.
Donations can be made out to Robert Rochon c/o Letterhead Relief Fund and mailed to 194 North Main St. Millbury Ma. 01527 as of this afternoon.
I will post more once the PayPal account is activated.
What I need is addresses and contact info for people who we know of right now that need help.
I now know of:
Curtis Gavin RT and Kathy Joiner
are there anymore?
If you have any info such as the above info needed please email me or call 508-865-7330
Thank You!
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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You can send funds to LRF@creativesignworks.com via PayPal's website. You will have to sign up for a free personal account first if you don't have one.
Credit Cards are accepted as well as electronic payments and checks.
If you would like to help one of the Letterheads listed below that we know in some way where effected, there are currently 2 ways to help directly.
RT Thomas
Kathy Joiner
Curtis Hammond
Gavin Chachere
Ken Holden
Sheila Ferrel is offering to drive directly down to the effected area, Saturday Sept. 10, AND/OR Saturday Sept.17. You can find more info HERE
If you miss Sheila's Journey, you can donate to this fund.
Thank you, let's make this a true Letterhead effort!
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Bob...I sent out e-mails Monday to everyone in the database from Louisiana & Mississippi with a link to Don's Hurricane aftermath tips... ... and Neal Bickham e-mailed me back that he needs help he is in Caleria, AL for the time being. I'll forward you his e-mail right away.
I'm going to forward a copy of this post to everyone in the database from Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama and have them e-mail you directly if they need help.
I know some of the e-mails are not getting through, I'm sure there are some servers still down.
-------------------- Barb Shortreed 144 Hill St. E. Fergus, Ontario Posts: 2377 | From: Fergus, Ont. | Registered: Sep 2000
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i spoke with ken today,, he says he appreciates the offer,, but will refuse any aid,, he is ok..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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I appreciate the offer as well,but take me off the list as well,and thats not intended to **** anyone off....when all is said and done i have a place to stay,a couple of things to fall back on,insurance,and i'm not worried about the oppurtunities this presents for the future,because there will be many and i wont necessarily be starting from scratch.....there are people in the waveland/gulfport/biloxi area that dont even have a 2x4 to return to or that they can even find,they are in far more need than i ever could be right now and literally have to start from zero or under that. You want to help someone in NOLA,i'll find out a relief site for NOPD,NOFD and NOEMS,you're dealing with depts where almost 80% of them are now homeless and have spent the last9-10 days giving 180%,the 4days and nites i went back for weren't pretty but nothing in comparison to how they've stood the line. They're entitled to anything and everything people want to give them and far more deserving.
Here's a few thoughts from someone directly affected.....me.....after reading posts for the last 4 days regarding this,and i'm sure someone will take offense but its not meant that way.
1. the design for the "sticker" or whatever its gonna be is awful. Make something basic WITHOUT a depiction of a hurricane anywhere in it,its not a symbol that has any positive connotation in this region of the country,and it certainly doesnt have to be artistic in anyway,those stupid yellow ribbon magnets have a great message and look like hell and sold billions,people bought them for the message not because they look cute.
2. Offers of sign supplies,cash,donations to red cross etc are nice and certainly they do help but consider this....donate to an organization,anyone affected is gonna be lucky to see pennies on the dollar. Sign supplies are nice,but in cases like this signs are the last thing people need and thats provided you have facilities to be operational. Cash is always good but in the end it doesnt last for months.
3. Recovery form something like this takes months and the most impt thing is to have some sort of sustainable cash flow and income over the longer term. You really want to help those in real need right now,everyone here despite of what they may say,uses vinyl and everyone has a plotter. Why not put aside all the bullsh*t worrying about whose a mercahnt.not a merchant or resident/not a resident and the rest of the childish crap and dedicate a 6 month period where people here farm out vinyl work or digital printing to those who need the consitency to get themselves and their lives going again. They can easily mail what they cut to you and even if it means you take in the job for ****ing calvins or other types of jobs thats beneath you,or you do but claim publicly you dont or whatever,its easily done. $400 right now means nothing in comparison to them earning even $100/wk for the next 6-8months. Just a suggestion.
-------------------- Gavin Chachere Plotter in the garage,New Orleans La.
"Sgts Shugart and Gordon again request permission to rope down to crash site two" Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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Don't worry about anyone getting PO'd! People who have the conviction to make any small sacrifice are not doing it for public appreciation anyway.
People in the far reaches of this country & the planet may not be affected directly, but we are all affected indirectly, & responding in any small well intentioned way will make a difference. Resources trickle down to meet needs just like rain falling in the mountains. From this far away... moving resources out of our pockets & into the right direction is the best a lot of us can do. Putting it to use in the most essential way is going to be someone elses responsibility. It's not like we want folks to buy a bag of donuts and pretend we took away their sorrows.
While we have a few 'heads willing to drive down to hand deliver contributions from Letterville, for the majority of us that is unrealistic, so Bob is helping create a conduit for aid. Even if you can't use it, there are others on the front lines who are in a good position put our donations to work. Your perspective is out of reach for us, and no offense is taken. Your pride is understood, but others have let us know this is a good thing.
quote: What do we need? We need cash. We cannot eat clothes. We canot turn water into gas for generators. We need cash. We have access to lots of clothes and water and food. We need cash to get gas to get to the shelters and distro sites for food adn water or get our familes out. We need cash to get gas for the generators so we can have lights at night. MRE's are adequate food for now.
[ September 08, 2005, 03:07 AM: Message edited by: Doug Allan ]
Your insight is well taken, and this fund is not intended to be a flash in the pan. Even though you do not wish to receive any benefits, you are still welcome to an equal share of it if needed. Same goes for Ken.
The long term is what we all need to focus on, after the cameras leave, after the actors go home, after the water recides, that is where the real work comes in. Not to discredit the miricles that are being done daily right now at all.
Insight from the heart of the disaster is welcomed and encouraged. That will be the clear way to really understand what is going on and needed.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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OK, I got power on Tuesday and am back up and running. I have an EdgeII, 15" & 30" plotters, lots of Dibond and vinyl. Some coroplas. Some banner stock. I can get more. Grimco delivers here on Thursdays. If I can help I will. Send me your files and a shipping address. I don't know about UPS, but FedEx is running here now.
I'm a one man shop on a one man budget but I'll do anything I can to help. I may can deliver if I can find enough gas.
Wayne Berry
-------------------- Berry Signs & Stripes Hattiesburg, MS Signs, lines, lettering & other neat stuff. Posts: 82 | From: Hattiesburg, MS | Registered: Jan 2000
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Thanks for what you are doing Bob. It's going to be very needed by these people. I know each of us can hardy imagine what we would do if out of work AND with no tools for weeks on end. I'm sure RT knows a coupl'a sign people he'd like to share part of the donations with he might recieve.
As these sign-shops get going again, sub-work is a great idea too... Gavin, please know, we appreciate your sense of giving while in need, but we would'nt mind you if you wanted to share what you recieve from Letterheads, with someone else you know down there.
UPDATE: This Saturday is a no-go, as I'm transporting a hitchhiker to I65. If you see a skinny guy with big ears, wearin' a ball cap & a long sleeved t-shirt, he's ok. His name is Sandy Evans Help him get to Rapid City, SD.
More importantly, RT's phone is down again, all week so far. Not sure what the problem is. I need to be able to contact him to see where he'll be.
I'm aiming for Saturday 17 as soon as I speak to him again. This gives you one more week to send immediate donations here if you would like to.
I got a mailing address and I sent part of my meet $$ to Curtis. I'm still incredulous about him receiving it. But we'll see.
If your too broke to send cash, or would rather contribute in another way, there's so many ways to do so. Like my town, I'm sure your city has (18-wheeler) trailers located for filling with needed items. Forget having that time-consuming yard-sale. Get that stuff to a donation location. They are hauling them off to distribution locations as fast as they are filled.
Here, they request the items be neatly folded, boxed and marked according to gender and size.
Your local radio may be making needs known. One elderly lady here personally took in a family who happened to have an 18 month old baby and asked for items for the baby.
One item really needed and not mentioned much is luggage. Many of these displaced people are living out of platic bags and sacks, if anything. They will need something to kep their clothing donations in, and when they are transported to housing as it becomes available. Luggage is a needed item. If the trailer-recievers refuse them, take them to local church & civic groups.
We have several churches and other community cneters feeding and housing groups of 30 to 90 people. These places are able to prepare meals. Take canned goods and foods to those places.
Also: toys, dolls, puzzles, games, etc. The children are pretty bored until they can get assimilated into a school system again, and as this is happening, they are also requesting school supplies.
If you have a teenager about 12 or older who would like to be involved, take them to an evacuee center. They can read to & play with kids, and care for toddlers and infants.
Mabey you can find a displaced-person to hire in your shop for a while.
Finally, if you can do nothing else, just keep workin' and livin' and consuming. Life goes on. I've have to turn off the radio, avoid the TV, and take a break from it frequently, because sittin' around with a lump in your throat and squawlin' over all these dead and living people acomplishes nothing.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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I drew this decal up and am selling them here at the shop to help out. I been cutting em in vinyl and puttin em together. Anyone that wants to use it is welcome to it.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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I just sent it to you Bob. If anyone else wants to use it, you can download it here in eps format. Katrina decal
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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I'm bumping this back up for the weekendin hopes that more peole would consider a small donation to this relief fund. As of yesterday I added two more registered Letterhead families that need our help.
As of yesterday we have only one donation.
It saddens me to think there are some families living in a Hotel room, lost everything and are asking for assistance, and we can't help them.
I know everyone here can afford 5 bucks, or mayber 2 or even 1 dollar. You don't need to pony up hundreds of dollars to play a huge part in rebuilding someones life. What we need is a large participation of small donations.
So come on people, figure out how much time is spent responding to posts about blacklists or other rants and raves. Take the money spent on that and send it in.
[ September 09, 2005, 12:57 PM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Thank you for doing this Bob...a donation has been sent. Remember folks...every LITTLE BIT HELPS! $20 to you may seem like small stuff - this will feed a family.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Great job!! When a need is seen and acted upon, it starts its own energy and builds. You've shown your true self with this effort. I respect that - and you!!
But don't be discouraged by so few donors. I've already dropped coins in cans, boots, etc - PLUS made my donations to the Red Cross.
I'd like to help with this - but I'm up to a couple hundred donated now and though I would love to help your efforts, I'm getting low in our donations fund with the end of the year coming soon. I bet I'm not alone - and that may be why you haven't seen the greatest results so far.
But hang in there and see it through. Any amount is good.
To those still affected in whatever fashion yet refusing money and help, I tip my hat to you. To see people with even less than nothing - and wanting to help them instead - is truly a selfless act. Very, very kind indeed.
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Like Jay said, Bob, we already did the Red Cross over the internet and had Mark generously match our donation and we have done something locally too. But maybe what we all could consider is next month. By that I mean, these people aren't going to be "all better" next month. Sometimes I think with major catastrophes like this, people give generously right away and then after a month or so, people are still hurting and needing but the donations dry up. Also, you can think about it like any other monthly payment. It is easier if you can pay it monthly, rather than in one big chunk. So maybe we can keep this going and just keep adding to it. I hope you aren't discouraged and think there is a lack of interest. It's just that some people have already done all they can...for NOW.
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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I want to publicly thank those who have responded here and who have gerously donated in the past few days. We are gaining momentum but we are still a ways away so I hope you don't mind if I keep plugging here and there
I do understand others have already donated and Im sorry if I did come across a bit discouraged but I was...briefly.
Jay, thank you for your kind words, this disaster will be here for a while so if it is ok with Steve, this can stay open for as long as needed.
Have a great weekend everyone!
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bob? I'm going to chance sounding 'redundant', et al, but I'm in NE Atlanta. I have a room AND a job for a sign person 'jack of all trades'. Add a spouse and a pet, I'm all for it! My Lil home can burst with love, when need exists beyond my comprehension. I don't have much money, I can only offer the room, and a beginning job. Local food and service industries are booming, so jobs, here, are available for those interested in nothing but "honest' work...available NOW. Keep in touch. We'll find the right person or family...I'm hoping!
-------------------- Karen Wunch (kwunch on chat) A2Z SIGNS in Buford, GA 678.714.1965 ---------------- "Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest." ~~Beatrice Potter Posts: 126 | From: Buford Georgia | Registered: Jan 2003
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as of today we have 361.00 in funds available for relief. I want to thank everyone again for all thier efforts and urge others even $5.00 would be a generous donation to help someone in need. As of now we do have Some that do not want any help but we still have others that welcome any help we can offer.
Karen has offered an awesome deal for the right person in need.
I am thinking up some ideas of things for sale to raise more money stay tuned.
[ September 14, 2005, 09:06 AM: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bob, I think many of us are giving to various sources such as buckets, and organizations now. We have a kitty at the football games, and whatever people can do, some of us have given in various ways. I'm still sending an additional check to a letterhead since I know they will use it to help others, probably.
Sheila, we're still having a yard sale since we planned this before Katrina, plus, the cost of shipping and trucking will be eliminated, skipping that expense (in our case). We're taking some donations, with the offer of us picking things up, the remainder, we'll drop off at one of the many organizations here. The money can go to diapers, flashlights, protein bars, etc. if they want. Thanks for showing your support and helping with ideas and advice, as we surely can use it. PS. The job market is opening up here since our growth is now booming again. It will help since we have a lot of folks from LA now.
[ September 17, 2005, 12:13 AM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Hello Letterheads, I'm located in Albany, LA, which is about 50 miles NW of New Orleans. I am doing well and don't need any help, as I only lost power for a week and no damage was done. I don't think any of the other shops near hear had any problems either.
For those guys that may have lost everything in New Orleans, the Slidell area, and the Mississippi coast, I don't think they will be making any signs for a while, but the good news is there seems to be a lot of aid pouring into the area, so people should not be doing without their basic needs. The whole area down here is pretty much in shock still, it's quite a mess, we are still having lines to get into Walmart, but the gas lines have ended and the armed guards are gone from Winn Dixie. I'm still not caught up from missing that week, but if any signguys around here need help, just let me know, I'll do what I can.
-------------------- Ray Parden The Sign Shop of Louisiana, Inc. PO Box 1731 Albany, LA 70711 ray@thesignshop.com
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Good to hear all is well with you Ray and welcome to Letterville. Judy
-------------------- Judy Pate Signs By Judy Albany, Georgia USA 229-435-6824
Live simply...Love generously...Care deeply...Speak kindly...Leave the rest to God. Posts: 2621 | From: Albany,GA,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Gavin Chachere Plotter in the garage,New Orleans La.
"Sgts Shugart and Gordon again request permission to rope down to crash site two" Posts: 1223 | From: new orleans.la. | Registered: Mar 2000
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Yep, thesignshop.com and the frog are mine. I work alone in a small shop in the woods (no storefront), but my web site makes up for that. I do a little web site design as well. 8)
-------------------- Ray Parden The Sign Shop of Louisiana, Inc. PO Box 1731 Albany, LA 70711 ray@thesignshop.com
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Bob R.-good work & idea ! ( glad 2 see this site has value beyond tips,etc. ) John D., nice logo, our church Team 2, myself as well, just returned from nawlins', after a week. Actually we worked in nawlins 2 days then shifted over to DeRidder La.,- near Texas. Rita hit hard in that region wind /power/ comm. issue's. A local moving company donated a moving truck for our convoy from Md. It had a yellow/black decal on the truck. KATRINA RELIEF, Maryland. When we moved our "mission" over to DeRidder, the driver said everyone asked him, " What about Rita ? !".( 1 hurricane @ a time huh ? )
Also i learned it ain't a hurricane til ya have to open the spam !
-------------------- mark zilliox mark z signs 8425 pushaw station rd. owings md. 20736 301-855-5407 thezs@earthlink.net http://www.markzsigns.com Posts: 348 | From: maryland | Registered: May 2003
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Great to hear of your help and efforts. I just wanted to let people know that as of this week the money raised will be dispersed and then unless I hear from anyone else, I'm going to close this down.
So if you were going to donate, this would be your last chance. I feel everyone has done something at this point so no need to keep this fund open taking up space at the top of the BB.
I want to thank everyone who generously gave a donation.
-------------------- Bob Rochon Creative Signworks Millbury, MA 508-865-7330
"Life is Like an Echo, what you put out, comes back to you." Posts: 5149 | From: Millbury, Mass. U.S. | Registered: Nov 1998
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