Count Your Blessings

With less than two weeks to go before the Preliminary Election, candidates are jockeying for position, trying to make their case as to why they should be the candidate of your choice.

Many miles away, thousands of our fellow citizens to the South are facing homelessness, destruction and incomprehensible loss.

Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

We should count our blessings, and say a prayer for all those people who have lost their homes, their possessions or, tragically, their loved ones. Say a prayer for the missing and the dead.

It's important to remember, as we wade in the shallow pool of politics this election season, that there are far greater and far more insurmountable challenges facing too many of our fellow countrymen. May God guide them all to safety.

The following is information provided on the NBC website:

The American Red Cross opened a telephone hotline on Sunday to receive for donations from citizens. The number is 1-800-435-7669. Other information on Red Cross emergency programs is available at the Red Cross Web site. And Red Cross shelter information for Louisiana is available by calling 1-800-469-4828.

Other relief organizations soliciting donations included:
Episcopal Relief & Development
United Methodist Committee on Relief
Salvation Army
Catholic Charities
The Network for Good
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund
Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Salvation Army's Team Emergency Radio Network was taking requests for information on the welfare and status of loved ones in the hurricane area at its Web site.