Superstorm Sandy Donation Sites

Broad St., Charleston, S.C

We still have flowers blooming in our window boxes while the north east has been whipped to shreds. The Post & Courier passed on these donation sites accepting contributions for victims of the superstorm. Let's do it. 

The Red Cross: If you would like to give to the Red Cross, which has opened more than 190 shelters along the East Coast and has hundreds of disaster relief workers on standby, you can donate online, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. The Red Cross is also seeking blood and platelet donations. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

The Salvation Army: You can donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting “STORM” to 80888. If you are already volunteer-certified, you can sign up to help out with disaster relief.

AmeriCares: You can donate to AmeriCares’ relief fund to help the organization, which is distributing supplies to 130 clinics in the 13 states affected by Sandy.

World Vision: Despite flooding at its Bronx, N.Y. warehouse, World Vision is organizing relief efforts. You can text “GIVEUSA” to 777444 to make a $10 donation, or donate online to help.

Operation USA: If you would like your donations to go to efforts abroad, Operation USA is helping victims in Haiti and Cuba, who were also deeply affected by the storm. In addition to donating online, you can text “AID” to 50555 to give $10.

International Medical Corps: Another option for donating abroad is the International Medical Corp, who are coordinating efforts in Haiti.

New York Blood Center: You can donate blood, which will be used to help injured people, as well as hospital blood banks affected by the storm.

School Days

Window Box, Charleston, S.C.

First week of school for the lowcountry and I made a mother cry.

All the back-to-school ads brought back fun memories of my kids and since I don't have any children in my immediate circle I called a single mother of a great teenager and asked mom how her daughter was set for school. She started to cry. I had waited almost too late to offer to help out a bright young gal whose mother works a minimum wage job. I got the cash I would have spent on my own and put it in an envelope to take care of a couple outfits for the first day at school and class supplies.

The lady slipped by my office to get the envelope and was so grateful when she left that I felt the sting of tears in my eyes. It was shame really, for letting her get to that stage. One of the nurses I work with asked what was wrong and kicked into action. By the end of the week we had a box of gently used fashionable clothes of the right size, school supplies and gift cards. She has four new "aunts" looking out for her. Thanks Kelly, Beth and Ginger! I love ya.

Window Box Love

Charleston Window Boxes, Charleston, S.C.

I wonder if there are gardners who just go around maintaining these wonderful window boxes. I walked the lower peninsula this morning and felt I was walking in a garden. The crepe myrtles and oleanders are in full blooms as well as these glorious flowers.

G'night kids. Time to see what the new week has in store for us!

Glorious Greenery

Meeting St., Charleston, S.C.



Wow. Isn't this a glorious show?



It makes me a bit ashamed that I just got rid of my window boxes but to be fair mine tend to end up as trash cans for the college kids in the neighborhood.