Talkbass Hurricane Challenge

[Against Will]

I, too, am deathly afraid of needles, however I've donated blood several times in the past and plan to again in the near future.

If you don't think about the needle and bring something to distract you, for me it was my iPod, it becomes much easier to take. I got some very experienced people the last few times I've went so I haven't felt the needle at all. I'm still extremely afraid of needles, but considering what's going on in Louisiana right now, that fear seems kind of petty.

 

[XavierG]

haha i am not american, but lol i would give blood if i could... it comes back doesn't hurt and it's for a good cause

It's not about being American... these are people just like you and I that are suffering.
Here in Canada, you can help by donating to the Canadian Red Cross. You can do so online at Invalid Link Removed and you can specify that your donation go to help the victims of Katrina.

 

[bluemonk]

I hadn't even thought about donating blood. I haven't seen any Katrina blood donation stations set up anywhere, but DUH!, of course they need blood! Do you just go to the hospital or something (I love in a small town...)?
Great idea--thanks!

 

[Bassic83]

I turned off the highway last Tuesday, and went by a motel to check on people. I had some money in my pocket, saw a woman walking her little pug by the back, just crying. I rolled up, and asked her what was her story.

She had recently moved from Wisconsin to NOLA, and had just gotten a job there. Had worked about ten days, and hadn't been paid yet. She had stayed in the motel for two days, but was out of money, so the management kicked her out. She had her back window in her truck blown out, and had lost her key. She could get into it, but couldn't start it. She thought it was in her room, but housekeeping didn't find it, thought she might have dropped it by the pool, but it wasn't anywhere around.

She had called a tow truck that had a locksmith service attached, they had quoted her $65. Without thinking, I reached into my pocket and gave her $85. I let her call the tow truck and her mom in Wisconsin, who was trying to get her some money. She wasn't home, so she left a message.

I told her to call a couple other locksmiths to tell them that she was a storm refugee, could she get a break. She said she would, I gave her another $20 to get some food for her dog, and some water, and gave her a hug. She started bawling.

The next day at work, I get a call from a number I didn't recognize. It was her. She had gotten a phone card and called her mom to get my number. She thanked me profusely, then asked if I would consider buying her some gas so she could make it to the north side of Houston to stay with her mom's friend for a couple nites. I said no problem. She agreed to meet me up by where I work.

I bought her some gas, and she told me she had gotten a key made from a Chevy dealer for $25, after giving them her VIN. She used the rest of the money to get a bag of dog food, a couple gallon bottles of water, a burger for dinner, and another motel room. She actually showed me the receipts, and offered me the $7.20 she had left, which I declined. Her mom was trying to move some money out of her retirement to help her, but it would take a few days to process, which she was going to wait out at her mom's friends, then go back to Wisconsin.

I had initially thought I would never hear from her again, but she said she was going to get every penny back to me after she got back to Wisconsin and got on her feet again. I guess time will tell, but I have a feeling I will be getting it back someday.