Flood Relief Donation Information

Categories: Atlanta Floods, Austell GA, community, flood relief, flooding, Help, neighborhood

Oct 8, 2009 11:50 am 18 Comments

Dear friends:

As many of you already know, on Mon September 21, our home, my car, and our town were drastically affected by debilitating flooding in Austell, Georgia. In fact, to date, the estimated damages throughout metro Atlanta exceed $1billion, and in my town of Austell alone - 1/2 the population (now up to 2500 residents) - are temporarily homeless, including us.
 
As I watched the waters quickly rise, I had no idea that by late afternoon, my car and the kids' school would be totally submerged, or that we would lose the majority of our personal belongings and our home in such a devastating way. In fact, on Tue September 22, I got a personal gondolier ride for my birthday....in a canoe...to my front door. Flooding caused muddy waters to exceed 9 feet in my home and many of my neighbors had water all the way to their rooftops. Hundreds of cars, including mine, were damaged or destroyed, and belongings and memories floated for blocks.

The emergency recovery efforts for the Atlanta area have been tremendous over the past 16 days. We have met and visited with volunteers nationwide who have come to Georgia's aid. The house is now down to studs. That's it. The various estimates for the flood damages in my home are now about $80K. That is before we replace any carpet or personal belongings, or replace my car.
 
As we continue to rebuild our lives - we have been asked by many of you, how to help.  As of now, we have received overwhelming amounts of food and clothing donations, for which we are incredibly thankful!  What we lack are the financial means to move past this obstacle.
 

 
There are three things that would be easiest and most helpful to us:
 
1. You can send gift cards - for anything. We have had to eat out for all meals (all 4 of us) since we are living in hotels and temporary housing. We can use Visa Gift Cards, Walmart, Target, restaurants, etc. Anything is appreciated.
 
2. You can mail a check. If you do this, please send it to me, Denise Russo, and put in the subject line, "Flood Relief"
 
3. You can send money from your debit card, credit card, or otherwise through www.paypal.com Our account name is drusso@successfactors.com. IF YOU DO THIS - On the home page, you click on "send money" and make sure you put that you are sending a PERSONAL GIFT for tax purposes since you are not buying anything from us. We have already received some donations through Paypal and the process is very easy and secure.
 

Your prayers, thoughts, and comments of support are cherished.  Many of you have left notes below...thank you!
 
Our mailing address if you'd like to send gift cards, checks or letters to the kids is:

Denise Russo and family
Attn: Flood Relief
2918 Egret Lane
Austell, Georgia 30106
 
If you want to send something directly to MY kids...Olivia is turning 8 Oct 17 and Vincent just turned 5.
 
Thank you so much for your support.
 
Truly yours,
 
Denise Quinn Olivia and Vincent

UPDATE October 13, 2009: 

We are living in a hotel. We will be moving to an apartment for 6 months this week. THEN we will have to decide where to go. We cannot afford to fix our home. 

More heavy rains are expected throughout this week.  Look at the kids’ soccer field—I took the picture yesterday, Oct 12. Gov. Sonny Perdue has asked President Obama to declare a state of emergency in Georgia.

Throughout this time it’s important to keep things in perspective. Imagine leaving for work one day, and when you return, everything you have is gone. It is a good lesson in letting go of material "things"...we are so thankful though everyone. God has brought so many amazing people to our aid - and the love, compassion, and servants hearts are overwhelming. Thank you again...remember....the GLOBAL water crisis is local, national, and international. It can hit anyone, at any time. We didn't live in a flood zone, yet had over 12 feet of water enter and destroy our home. Be good stewards over your resources locally, help to raise awareness about water and resources nationally, and when you are able, please give globally. There are BILLIONS of people that live in substandard conditions daily. YES, we lost our belongings, my car, my kids' toys, clothes and more...yet they are simply CONVENIENCES, THINGS, MATERIAL GOODS...friends - we have our life, our HEALTH and each other. So many worldwide do not. Please pray for all those that suffer each day.

If you're planning on helping Denise in any way, PLEASE leave a short comment below letting us know.  We want to track this method of rallying troops behind Change Agents in distress and see if it can be a successful way to give aid and spread awareness.  Please contact eleanor at changents dot com if there's anything else you'd like to do that is not mentioned above. Thank you!

Tweet This Post

Eleanor
October 8, 2009 - 4:02pm

To start us off, I've sent Denise's daughter Olivia a little something for her birthday. What will Olivia remember in the years to come? Yeah, probably the devastation of the flood...but also of all the people who helped who didn't even know her. So what are YOU waiting for?

Jevyn
October 10, 2009 - 7:20am

Hi Denise! I am really sorry for your losses and recent experiences. At this moment, I don't have anything to send but hopefully, if things work out in the beginning of November, I might be able to send just a bit to help you. I will pray for your family and community. Jevyn

ejsk
October 12, 2009 - 5:45pm

Praying for you!

mondovibe
October 12, 2009 - 5:54pm

May you, family and community be flooded with silver lining blessings! You are in our thoughts, prayers and call to action! Hope you can keep up updated from your personal view, only if you have time/energy. Laura & Whole Mondo Family PS. I don't believe in supporting Walmart but I may as well put the Walmart gift card collecting dust on my shelf to the best use possible. I'll get it in the mail tomorrow. Wish I could send a check! http://changents.com/themes/changents2/images/common/post.comment.gif

joyces
October 12, 2009 - 9:10pm

Just tried via paypal, but something's messed up with the account. So, I'll write a check and put it in the mail tomorrow. Deron always knows how to get my attention! You, your family and your community are in my thoughts and prayers. joyce

Thirst Aid Live
October 12, 2009 - 9:57pm

Thank you SO much everyone. Your thoughts, prayers, and assistance are VERY appreciated during this difficult obstacle we are challenged with. I will be sending Changents more photos soon...my husband Quinn is a photographer and has captured over 1100 photos of the experience so far (he was even featured on our local Atlanta television news)...just a travesty. The rain continues to pour down...there has been more flooding today...and this is day 20 of this disaster relief. Out of the 5000 residents in my town (Austell), 1/2 have now been declared homeless, including us. There are thousands of people in the metro Atlanta area that have been affected in some way. Our area was hardest hit...as there were hundreds of homes submerged...hundreds of cars...and even my kids' school. Imagine leaving for work one day, and when you return, everything you have is gone. It is a good lesson in letting go of material "things"...we are so thankful though everyone. God has brought so many amazing people to our aid - and the love, compassion, and servants hearts are overwhelming. Thank you again...remember....the GLOBAL water crisis is local, national, and international. It can hit anyone, at any time. We didn't live in a flood zone, yet had over 12 feet of water enter and destroy our home. Be good stewards over your resources locally, help to raise awareness about water and resources nationally, and when you are able, please give globally. There are BILLIONS of people that live in substandard conditions daily. YES, we lost our belongings, my car, my kids' toys, clothes and more...yet they are simply CONVENIENCES, THINGS, MATERIAL GOODS...friends - we have our life, our HEALTH and each other. So many worldwide do not. Please pray for all those that suffer each day.

brimarie1982
October 12, 2009 - 10:16pm

God bless you and your family, and your whole town for that matter!

esther2k5
October 13, 2009 - 12:14am

Sending you my earnest prayers for you, your family, and community. Keep the faith.

wskillman
October 13, 2009 - 1:43am

Your family is in my prayers. I am deeply saddened by your losses but somehow you take a moment, in your time of need, to remind us that there are billions of people living in substandard conditions. You are a true hero. God Bless you!

gaiamethod
October 13, 2009 - 3:11am

Hi Denise, You mentioned needing hats, gloves, etc. I know many knitters here in England and with your permission, if I could copy your story and distribute it to our local knitters and spinners/weavers, we will be able to come up with some of these. Please let me know if this is useful to you. I wish you all the best in rebuilding your lives and am inspired by your response to those who are also struggling around you. It is not an easy thing to live through. I've been there, more than once! Good luck to you and your family/ neighbours.

Flag as spam/inappropriate