Here’s an email I received this morning from a long-time LGF reader, who’s helping to organize another grass-roots effort to get information about those who have survived the disaster and are seeking to reunite with family, and/or let them know they are safe:

Dear Friends,

As with many of you, I have watched the television images of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina with horror and despair, and an overwhelming sense of wishing to help, but having no idea what to do. This morning I received a telephone call that moved me to action, and gave me a way to help. You may be able to assist as well.

Two friends of mine who are television producers in Los Angeles are launching a website that will allow people to register as looking for loved ones, or as being disaster survivors (katrinaupdate.com). While this is being done by media outlets and others, the following piece is not, and will make all the difference in the world to many who are suffering the fear and anxiety of the unknown, along with the physical effects of the disaster.

We are working to put a team on the ground in the affected areas to go out and actually collect the information from the victims. Most of the victims of this disaster have no internet access, and no way to get to a website to enter their information as a survivor. The same is true for many in the area who are looking for lost loved ones. By putting a team on the ground to collect this data, we will be performing an incredible service to our fellow human beings in need.

Our goal is to rapidly find people who live in, or just outside the affected areas who are willing to go to the shelters, and other gathering places, and collect this information. We are working to have these people appropriately “credentialed” so that they can get to the places where they are most needed. They will then transmit the data back to us, via the web, telephone and fax, and we’ll see that it is continually entered into the website on a searchable database. This will serve as a true central clearing house for the “human data” that is so necessary to rapidly alleviate much of the fear and uncertainty that is affecting so many.

How important is this? Imagine yourself, with family in New Orleans, and no way to contact them to see if they are alive. Imagine yourself on the ground in Louisiana, in a shelter, with no way to let those around the country worried about you, know that you are alive. What would you do, and how would you feel? And how much would it matter to you if someone else cared enough to make sure that you could get the word out…so that you could actually know.

What can you do? We are looking for the people you know who are already on the ground in or near the affected areas that are looking for a way to help. Who do you know in Louisiana or Mississippi that wants to make a major difference in the lives of thousands of human beings affected by this devastating tragedy? If you know of anyone who is interested, please have them contact me via email immediately. I have listed my contact information below. Additionally, please forward this to anyone and everyone on your email list. If you help only one person to get in contact, you will have made a major positive impact on someone’s life. This is your chance to make a huge difference for someone else’s shattered family.

To check on the status of a loved one, post that you are looking for someone, or to post a message to say that you are okay, please visit katrinaupdate.com. If faxing information is easier for you, please fax information to 1-504-910-9000. To leave information via telephone, please call 1-800-869-6540.

To volunteer to help on the ground, or in any way, please write to contact -at- katrinaupdate -dot- com, or visit the website at katrinaupdate.com and input your information as indicated.

I appreciate your time in reading this email, and thank you in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide.

Best Regards,

The Volunteers at katrinaupdate.com