Hurricane Katrina Victims in Washington

Welcome to everyone coming to Ionarts from the news pieces on the MoTH prayer vigil. MoTHs were interviewed yesterday at the event by CNN and two local television stations, and Mrs. Ionarts is being heard today in a short interview on WTOP Radio. This is not our regular content here at Ionarts, but we hope you will come back again if you are interested in the arts and music, here in Washington and around the world.

The Moms on the Hill (MoTHs) and their friends came out in impressive numbers to Lincoln Park last night (see yesterday's post). As you can see in the pictures of the bags and bags of donations now stacked in our living room and on our porch (we are one of several waystations), we have lots of good stuff (including, improbably, a copy of James Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, as shown in one of the pictures below) to pass along to the refugees from Katrina (who are arriving on Monday to shelter at the D.C. Armory). The MoTHs still need your help, however, so don't worry if you couldn't make it to Lincoln Park yesterday. This afternoon they are going to start preparing these donated goods into care packages for the refugees:

WHEN: Sunday, September 4, 1:45 to 4 6 pm (until it's all done, so maybe later)

WHERE: Christ Church Episcopal, 620 G Street SE

If you still want to donate money or personal items for families and children (clothes, diapers, baby formula, baby wipes, nonperishable baby food jars, pacifiers, toothbrushes, personal hygiene items, and so on), bring those along and lend a hand. If you can't make that, volunteers willing to help at the Armory would certainly be appreciated. The D.C. government Web site says that those interested in helping should call the Mayor's Call Center (202-727-1000) or Serve DC (202-727-7925). Also, you can send your name, phone number, and e-mail address to the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area. Jeffrey Daniels is the Manager of Emergency Services over there (danielsj at redcrossnca dot org) or contact him by phone (202-303-4521). If you can't make it to the vigil tonight, you can also take items directly to the First District office of the D.C. Police at 415 4th Street SW (or the First District substation at the corner of 5th and E Streets SE). Stop telling yourself that you can't do anything about this. Make things better.