Every year, ShiftCon gives back to the community that hosts it. Last year, we donated food and gently used clothing to several charities assisting the homeless and woman fleeing from domestic abuse. As we were brainstorming what to do in Louisiana this year, a great storm hit the area killing 13 people and doing major damage to tens of thousands of homes in Louisiana with major flooding. Thousands of people throughout the state of Louisiana have been displaced.
This storm has also become controversial. Bill Nye predicts that storms like this will be more commonplace in the near future because of Climate Change and an eroding coastline. Climate change is something we are covering this year at ShiftCon and it’s ironically also happening to the communities we are about to meet in Louisiana. But regardless of what will happen in the future, Louisiana is happening today.
More than 30,000 people were forced to leave their homes as a storm caused the waters to rise near Baton Rouge. 13 people died, and countless rescues were made. The Official National Weather Service measured the overwhelming rains as 21.86 inches falling in just 48 hours. So far, at least 20 parishes have been declared to be in a state of major disaster. According to Brad Kieserman, vice president for disaster services operations and logistics for the Red Cross, “The current flooding in Louisiana is the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Superstorm Sandy.”
ShiftCon has decided to step in and help.
We have decided to donate $500 to the first responders local to New Orleans who’s homes were hit by the storms. These brave men and women helped other people as their own homes were destroyed. That’s dedication to the community. The St. George Fire Protection District (SGFD) is an independent political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. The purpose of the District is to provide for the fire, emergency medical, and other emergency response needs of the over 100,000 people living within its boundaries. Those boundaries cover over 70 square miles and include the majority of East Baton Rouge Parish that is located south and east of the city limits of Baton Rouge.
The members of the SGFD were among the first responders to the flooding in Louisiana. But while they were out in their community helping others, many of them were losing their own homes to the rising waters.
From their GoFundMe page:
“Close to a third of the employees of St. George Fire Protection District have experienced loss of home and property as a result of the Great flood of 2016. Any amount you can offer to help these first responders as they try to rebuild their homes and their lives would be greatly appreciated.
These funds will be put to use immediately, and will go directly to those affected by the flood.
Although their homes had been flooded, many of these people remained on duty to help those in need in their community. Now they are asking for your help.
Thank you.”
We hope you’ll join us donating to the fund. Even a few dollars will help the amazing people from the SGFD rebuild their lives.
And that’s not all. We are also helping local women impacted by the storms via supporting the efforts of a ShiftCon speaker, Shannon Hurst DalPozzal of TravelingMamas.com. Shannon is hosting pampering parties for local women in the Louisiana area. She’s opening up her home and pampering them for a couple hours and then sending them home with goodie bags that are full of supplies and other useful or fun things.
ShiftCon is helping supporting those efforts by organizing sponsors to fill gift bags. The purpose is just to be helpful, especially before we are hosted in Louisiana. And I wanted to say thank you to the brands that have donated to our gift bags so far!
- Goddess Garden Organics are giving away sunscreen and facial cleanser
- Chosen Foods is giving avocado mayonnaise (shelf stable)
- Stoneridege Orchards is giving an assortment of dried cherries and other fruits (shelf stable)
- Larry & Luna Coconut Dairy Free Ice Cream
- Natracare is giving organic feminine needs products like tampons, ultra extra pads, ultra pads, intimate wipes, MUR wipes & pink paper bags
If you represent a brand and would like to give to women in Louisiana who have been affected by this tragedy click here to fill out this form.
Thank you everyone for pulling together to help families in Louisiana!