As I mentioned in my post on Friday, I’m pretty upset about the current situation with the oil spill (spew? spurt? gusher?) in the Gulf of Mexico. This environmental nightmare is affecting every place I’ve ever called home and loved. This oil spill is going to damage our fragile wetlands and estuaries and have a huge economic impact on our local fishing industries and way of life for years to come.
I am lucky to have a lot of friends who care as deeply about this situation as I do. One of my friends who works in the Coast Guard here suggests giving money to any of the wildlife rescue organizations. There are also many calls for volunteers and paid workers, though both require extensive time dedication and training because of the nature of the toxic chemicals involved with this disaster and the remote location of the spill.
My friend Will has been organizing a lot of the various information and resources on ways to donate, volunteer and otherwise get involved through a Facebook page called Louisiana Shore Cleanup. Please check out the discussion area for tons of resources as well as this report from yesterday and suggest it to your Facebook friends.
The Huffington Post also lists additional resources on how you can help.
Here are a few other links of interest related to ways you can help with the cleanup efforts for the Gulf oil spill:
Matter of Trust teams up with salons around the world through their Hair For Oil Spills Program to provide hair clippings as a natural way of combating oil spills. (Ever noticed how oily your hair can get if you don’t wash it regularly? Yeah, hair collects that other type of oil too!) They are currently setting up more collection points throughout the Gulf Coast and also accept monetary donations through their website. [UPDATE: Supposedly the Ritz-Carlton on Canal Street in New Orleans is accepting donations of nylons, hair and fur on behalf of Matter of Trust, to create booms to combat the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The hotel is currently the only donation location in New Orleans and one of only nine locations along the Gulf Coast.]
The International Bird Rescue Research Center, based in California, was one of the leading organizations on the ground in 1988 for the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and now they are leading efforts again during the current oil spill disaster. You can donate directly to them, or to one of their partners in these efforts, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research. You can read more about their current efforts here.
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I’ve decided to donate a percentage of all my May sales, both online and at in person events, to help with environmental clean up efforts related to the oil spill. Do you have additional resources related to the Gulf oil spill disaster? Please post them here in the comments or to Louisiana Shore Cleanup on Facebook.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
thank you so much for posting info on how to help.
Yes, thank you so much for posting this info!
Another link (It may already be in the links to other places), but I just got this via email.
https://secure2.convio.net/sierra/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=4221
Thanks
-Karyna
Ashlee, Karyna, of course! I want to spread the word about ways to help as much as possible. Thanks for that link Karyna, I just send a message!
Just devastating! I am half Sicilian and our family immigrated into America to New orleans. It is so deeply rooted in our history as a nation, for music too!
Cary, yes, you can still see the traces of the huge Italian immigrant population that came here all around the French Quarter and throughout the city.
Time will tell exactly what the effects of this spill will be, but it doesn’t look good…
Here is another great comprehensive list of a lot of ways to help and organizations that are involved:
http://www.takepart.com/news/2010/04/30/the-gulf-coast-oil-leak-how-to-help
This is so terrible!!!
We all need to help, I’ll email the links to all my friends.
Thanks Dona!
FYI, Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana is distributing food to fisherman who are now out of work and unable to provide for their families because of the oil spill. More info here:
http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/saturday_is_an_opportunity_to.html
You can also donate directly here: http://no-hunger.org/
More resources:
http://ggusa.globalgreen.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=6621.0
“JOIN THE LOUISIANA FISHING COMMUNITY IN SENDING A MESSAGE THIS SUNDAY, MAY 16TH IN GRAND ISLE
Global Green USA is pleased to be collaborating with aerial artist John Quigley on Sunday, May 16th at Bridge Side beach on Grand Isle, Louisiana to send a global message about the impacts of the Gulf oil spill on families and fishermen.”
“WATCH LENNY KRAVITZ, MOS DEF & MORE AT GULF AID
Also on Sunday, May 16, musicians, business leaders in New Orleans and community radio station WWOZ-FM have come together to create the GULF AID benefit concert to raise funds for wetland recovery efforts, fishermen and their families as oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico from the site of the collapsed deepwater Horizon. The fundraising concert will take place, rain or shine from noon – 10pm at Mardi Gras World River City overlooking the Mississippi River in New Orleans.
Multiplatinum recording artist Lenny Kravitz, will perform as well as Allen Toussaint, Mos Def, Ani DiFranco, The Voice of the Wetlands Allstars (featuring Tab Benoit, Dr. John, Cyril Neville, George Porter Jr., Waylon Thibodeaux, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Johnny Sansone, and Johnny Vidacovich), Zachary Richard, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Irvin Mayfield’s Playhouse Review, Kermit Ruffins and the BBQ Swingers, Jeremy Davenport, Rebirth Brass Band, MyNameIsJohnMichael, with additional artists to be announced.
Tickets are $50 and available at http://www.elevate.com“
Thank you SOOO much for posting all of these resources – I’ve been really disappointed (and frustrated) by the lack of ways to help and you got all of this together so early. I’m impressed and I featured a link to you on my blog – http://www.psychatwork.com/2010/05/tragedy-in-gulf-thoughts-from-around.html. Thanks again and keep up the amazing work (I’m such a fan of your blog and your work despite not being particularly crafty myself)!
Mel, you’re welcome! I’m glad to do what I can to help. I know, this whole situation is extremely frustrating – it’s hard, but I guess all we can do right now is try to do our part in our own ways. Keep writing and calling your government officials and let them know how upset you are about this too, we need to make things change!
I’M COPYING THIS INFORMATION FROM A LOCAL NEWSLETTER & PASTING IT HERE – the words are not my own and I make no promises about the accuracy of what is found below, just trying to help spread the word. – Mallory
————————————————-
begin quoted message:
YOU CAN HELP THE GULF COAST
For those of you who have the romantic vision of scrubbing turtles and
rinsing off pelicans with Kevin Costner or Sean Penn, I’m afraid to
tell you (Michael) that it isn’t going to happen. The workers BP has
hired as well as the volunteers with non-profits working on the
response have all had hazmat or wildlife rescue training. If you have
those skills, they definitely want you (call Tri-State Rescue:
866-557-1404)… otherwise there is a list of ways you can help below
(which I will add to as more info becomes available)… it may be
long, but come on man, I’ve done most of the research for ya… lol.
EASY TO DO
First the simplest thing you can do is text WILDLIFE to 20222 to
donate $10 to the National Wildlife Federation. 97% of funds raised
through this text drive will go directly to efforts rehabbing animals
in the Gulf. (More info:
http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Conservation/Threats-to-Wildlife/Oil-Spill/Mobile-Giving.aspx
)
Second easiest thing to do is eat Louisiana seafood. There are still
areas that are safe to fish in the Gulf and our fishing communities
need the support. Whatever they’re catching, go buy ya some!
VOLUNTEER
I did speak with someone at the main response center today and
volunteers are needed now. Tasks that untrained people can do include
administrative work, taking inventory, pre-beach cleaning (no idea
what that means), and translating. Sign up here:
http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/page/2931/46359/ and call
to follow up if you get antsy: 1-866-448-5816.
You can also sign up with one of the various groups working in the
area. Efforts seem to be largely coordinated through the Coalition to
Restore Coastal Louisiana. Visit http://www.crcl.org/ and fill out a
volunteer form or call 1-800-LACOAST (1-800-522-6278) or 225-767-4181.
Alternately you can see the other groups they are working with and
sign up through their websites here:
http://lagulfresponse.org/home.html or here:
http://action.sierraclub.org/Oil_Spill_CleanUp
Birdwatchers have a special job being asked of them through eBird:
http://ebird.org/content/ebird/news/survey-gulf-coast-birds. They are
looking for people to visit beaches and report findings on the state
of the birds there… this does not include touching or disturbing the
wildlife… watching and monitoring only. You can also have a nice
meal at a restaurant in the beach community while you’re visiting and
help support the locals.
Organize a food drive. I know I’ve been banging this drum for a year
now, but because of state budgetary cuts made last year, our food
banks have been depleted for quite some time and need more food than
ever now. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and
Acadiana is leading this charge: http://no-hunger.org/ There is
information on their website about how to conduct a drive or you can
give them a call and they’ll be happy to set you up. If you live in
Marrero, the West Jefferson Medical Center is collecting cans. Bins
for food donations will be located in the hospital’s atrium, the
Fitness Center, Cafe Jefferson and the Physician’s Center through May
31.
Here are some additional specific volunteer hotlines to call:
To report oiled shoreline : 866.448.5816
To report oiled wildlife: 866.557.1401
To submit alternative response technology, services or products: 281.366.5511
To submit your vessel as a vessel of opportunity skimming system: 281.366.5511
Additionally, if you are in an effected area or have a boat and are
going out in the Gulf, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade has created an
“Oil Spill Crisis Map” that will allow Gulf Coast residents to report
fishers out of work, endangered wildlife, oil on shore, oil sheens and
other effects of the oil spill. The map can be viewed at
http://oilspill.labucketbrigade.org/. Reports can be made at that
site, or by texting 504.272.7645, e-mailing bpspillmap@gmail.com or
tweeting with the hashtag #BPspillmap. Eyewitness reports for the map
require a description, and location information such as an address or
GPS coordinates.
And while there is debate as to whether or not these will ever be used
(why the heck not, I ask???) The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans is working
with Matter of Trust: http://www.matteroftrust.org/, an environmental
nonprofit group, to collect donations of nylons, hair and fur, which
can be used in making booms for containing oil. Drop off donations at
the Ritz-Carlton, 921 Canal St. Call 504.670.2817 for more information.
Monitor other opportunities to volunteer by checking out this group on
FB: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=103141509730378
DONATE
These are all fabulous groups working on the oil disaster at various
levels. Please support them if you can.
Gulf Restoration Network: http://www.healthygulf.org/
Tri-state Bird Rescue: http://www.tristatebird.org/
Voice of the Wetlands: http://www.voiceofthewetlands.org/
Gulf Aid: http://www.gulfaid.org/
Second Harvest: http://no-hunger.org/
Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans: http://www.arch-no.org/
The Greater New Orleans Foundation: http://www.gnof.org/
LEGISLATIVE
Without getting into the politics of offshore drilling, there is still
a very important piece of legislation that calls to your
congressperson and senators could help. Right now an effort to up the
liability cap for oil companies is stalled. Your calls can make a
difference. Find your congressman here:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml and your senator
here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
See story here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/03/robert-menendez-pushes-bi_n_561011.html and here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/25/gulf-oil-spill-frustratio_n_588556.html
STAY INFORMED
Finally, I have to say there are too many sources of info on this
issue to list, but there’s a pretty comprehensive list of what the
Obama administration has done so far here:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/5/23/869212/-What-Obama-is-doing-about-the-BP-oil-spill (P.S. Glad he’s coming to Louisiana this Friday cos I still want more!). And if you’re on twitter, you can get the latest here:
http://twitter.com/Oil_Spill_2010.
Also, for those of you in my district, I have to say Congressman Cao
is on top of this thing and has been a great source of information.
Check it out and sign up for updates here:
http://josephcao.house.gov/OilSpill/
/ end quoted message
Thanks for the continued information!! Very useful and important
Copied from the 504Ward newsletter, June 3, 2010:
City Year New Orleans is planning a kickball tournament tomorrow, June 4th, at the Fly with 100% of proceeds going to Gulf Aid, a local non-profit established in the wake of the oil spill that seeks to help local environmental efforts and the fishermen affected by the disaster. It’s going down from 5-8 pm, the minimum donation is $5, and it should be a great time. To register your team call David Robins at 225.650.4263 or email him at drobins10@cityyear.org.
If you’re looking to do more hands-on volunteer work, the good people at HandsOn New Orleans have come up with a comprehensive volunteer calendar that lets you know about all the oil-spill relief projects going down in the next month. Look it over, find a day, and get some work done to help out. Trust us; you’re going to feel better about the whole thing if you do your small part. We’ll see you out there.
Websites:
http://www.gulfaid.org/
http://www.handsonneworleans.org
http://www.cityyear.org
More sites with updates:
http://nola.humidbeings.com/care4coast
http://crafthope.com/2010/06/project-8-gulf-coast-oil-spill/
http://www.creativetao.com/giving/
Great information, thank you!
I also joined a Facebook page that lists a ton of ways you can help – especially if you don’t live near the Gulf States.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gulf-Coast-Oil-Disaster-How-You-Can-Help/104944892887358
Both of these shops are raising money for oil spill relief efforts:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/handmadelouisiana
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HelpTheGulfCoast
you’ve posted so many helpful links here. i’m bookmarking to come back this weekend and read through all of these. thank you.
@Down and Out Chic – glad to help in any way I can!
Here’s a new project I just heard about:
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery is proud to announce GULF AID ART: ARTISTS IN ACTION, A Fundraising Exhibition of Louisiana Artists Responding to the Gulf Oil Spill.
The benefit exhibition will take place from June 17-19th at the gallery located in the New Orleans Arts District. The exhibition will feature new works by over 25 well-known Louisiana artists reacting to the greatest environmental disaster in US history. Gallery owner Jonathan Ferrara and artist Dan Tague, both arts activists , conceived of the exhibition as a way for the visual arts community of New Orleans to respond to the disaster.
The exhibition will open on Thursday June 17th at 11am, with an artist reception from 6-9pm that night and will run for through Saturday June 19th at 5pm and continue online throughout the summer.
As this crisis has unfolded, citizens across the state have felt helpless in being able to respond the disaster.
What action can I take?
What can I do?
What is happening?
What is our future?
How can we help our fellow Louisianans who are being directly affected right now?
Inspired by actions taken by the musical community in organizing the recent Gulf Aid concert that featured musicians like Lenny Kravitz and Preservation Hall Jazz Band, visual artists are banding together to offer their creative talents in response to this disaster.
“Musicians have done their part and now visual artists are going to do their part as well to respond to this terrible disaster. We all are terrified, upset, anxious and damn mad about what has transpired and we have to use our creativity to speak up, comment, criticize and make our voices heard. We are all in this together and artists must take action!” – Jonathan Ferrara
Both Tague and Ferrara have a history of responding to disasters via artistic endeavors. In 2006, after Hurricane Katrina, Ferrara created New Orleans Artists In Exile, a travelling exhibition of artists affected by the hurricane. In 2006-7, Ferrara was instrumental in distributing over $40,000 in direct grants to artists in need recovering from Katrina. And in 2010, artist Dan Tague created a limited edition print (100), United For Haiti, which sold out in a week and immediately raised over $7500 for victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Those funds were donated to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund.
For GULF AID ART, each artist was challenged to create a new print edition with the only criteria that they respond / react to the current crisis affecting their home, health, happiness and economic futures. Each artist has created a limited edition print of 10 that will be sold both in the gallery during the limited run exhibition and online via the gallery’s website. In an effort to make the work accessible to the general public and raise as much money as possible, the prices of the works will range between $100 and $500 with the potential to raise $80,000.
For this fundraiser, Ferrara will take down his current exhibition and install the 25+ works in the galley for a three-day fundraising exhibition. A to Z Framing of New Orleans, who is generously donating the framing, will frame the works in the exhibition.
In addition to the works in the gallery , British photojournalist Charlie Varley will exhibit a slide show of his photographs taken since the April 20th explosion documenting the spill and its aftermath. Varley’s photos are regularly published around the world in Time magazine, Newsweek, The Times, The Wall Street Journal among others.
The exhibition will open on Thursday June 17th at 11am, with an artist reception from 6-9pm that night and it will run for through Saturday June 19th at 5pm. Louisiana’s own Abita Beer is also a sponsor of the event.
***************************************************************
100% of the proceeds will be donated to Gulf Aid. Gulf Aid is a 501(c3) nonprofit corporation established in response to the biggest oil spill in US history just 50 miles off of the Louisiana Coast.
The mission of the Gulf Relief Foundation is to provide relief to the fishing community of the Gulf Coast and their families, and to address the long-term challenge of restoring and protecting America’s coastal wetlands.
The fund will ensure all proceeds are distributed to organizations focused on supporting wetlands/coastal environmental issues & the well being of fishermen, and the regional seafood industry.
***************************************************************
Exhibition Sponsors
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery (special thanks to Gallery Director Jessica Inman)
A to Z Framing of New Orleans
Abita Beer
Express Signs
SEVERAL OF THE ARTISTS IN THIS EXHIBITION ARE IN NUMEROUS MUSEUM AND PROMINENT COLLECTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Jonathan Ferrara Gallery is a collective environment of creative visions. A commercial gallery with a public conscience. Artist, activist, and entrepreneur Jonathan Ferrara opened the gallery in 1998 to give artists a greater voice. Since its inception, the gallery has focused on cutting edge works by local, national and international artists with a sense of purpose, mission, and message.
To preview selected works from the exhibition, please click here:
http://www.jonathanferraragallery.com/dynamic/exhibit_artist.asp?ExhibitID=311&Exhibit=Upcoming
For more information about Gulf Aid, the charity, please visit http://www.gulfaid.org.
Just saw this posted to HARO listserv ( http://helpareporter.com/ ):
We are looking for letters written TO the Gulf of Mexico from
celebs, poets, teachers, kids, doctors, lawyers, grandmothers,
regular folks, rich folks, poor folks, happy folks, sad folks,
angry folks, industry folks, etc. from all over the world. 1
page letters of hope, anger, sadness, apology, memories, etc.
Imagine sitting down to write a letter to an old friend, or
perhaps someone you’ve never met.. We are looking for
authenticity, emotion, creativity, etc. Letters may be used on
Huffington Post, the Letters to the Gulf Blog, and in an upcoming
book, “Letters to the Gulf” which will be used to raise awareness
and funds for clean-up. Please send to:
anthony+gulf@detentionslip.org
My friend Alison Albright of Circular Accessories is printing shirts for her Houma friend’s foundation http://www.horizonrelief.org/
The shirts are organic American Apparel and Alison is printing in her open-air warehouse using water-based ink, using recycled test print shirts for the tags so little to no petroleum products used in making these. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the foundation which helps the little guys in the seafood industry who have been hit hardest by the Gulf Coast Tragedy and can’t wait for bureaucratic red tape to clear to receive assistance to feed their families and pay rent while they are out of jobs. It is a great cause to donate to, buy a t-shirt or a vial of actual crude oil that has washed up in their oyster beds.
Here is a link to the section in Alison’s Etsy shop containing the t-shirts that she’s making for them: http://www.etsy.com/shop/circularaccessories?section_id=7098549
Check out Charity Navigator’s list of some of the top rated charities to donate to:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=content.view&cpid=1066