Morning all....

Where do I begin? I've been out and about this morning trying to gather some accurate info.
I had not been to the area where the boatyard is until this morning. Went back to visit Tom and Sari and see if there was anything I could do.

I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment by the conditions I saw. I will be posting some new information once I collect my thoughts and get them organized.

In the mean time, I have a favor to ask.

The situation here is bad and in order to try and keep things organized and the flow of info coming, we need to consolidate our posts on here.

Everyone has been great about getting info up as soon as possible. If we could just separate topics into Urgent & Non-Urgent issues, it would help a lot.

The Disaster Relief topic is good.....one place for everyone who is interested in sending supplies.
Please try to stick to the topic....I know it's hard....but that is how a lot of info gets lost in the jumble.

Maybe we can have a topic for just General Questions.

URGENT ISSUES:
Missing Persons
Health Care
Disease Control
Utility Restoration
Disaster Relief
Info to Property Owners Living Abroad.

NON-URGENT ISSUES:
(these would go into the GENERAL QUESTIONS topic)
Is a certain place still there?
Did a certain place sustain much damage?
Can you say hello to my friends?
How long before I can vacation?
Should I change my vacation plans?
Comments of a general nature.
All rumours.
PLEASE NOTE!...This is not to say any of these issues are not important. They are. The priorities at this point are the Urgent Issues and we need to focus on these in order to get things done.

I hope everyone doesn't think I'm taking charge and ordering people around. I don't intend for it to sound like that. It's just that after my trip around town this morning, it was PAINFULLY obvious what was really important and what can wait till later.
So please help us out on this.

Thanks so much!
I will post the separate topics....and please use these to organize posts. Remember only post info that you have first hand knowledge of....not assumptions. This is important.

We need to all try to remain calm and organized and work together as a team.
(Which is really hard to do at this point, I can tell ya that.)

"

OK....I've posted the topics....now let me see if I can put together a post on what I learned this morning.

Thanks for everyones help.
I have printed out the topic Disaster Relief and will give it to the Emergency Management Team so they know how hard everyone is woking at helping us out.

Sandshaker,
I just wanted to say thanks. You always send thoughtful and informative messages. I have been trying to help the best I can from here. There have been a few things going on in way of relief here in Salt Lake, which is so good to know and to be a part of. I hope that everyone receives the help they need. I also hope to come there in November to help with whatever needs to be done, if it is not going to be a nuisance. I don't want to step on any toes. I just want to help! Keep up the great messages. It's great to see such great people communicating.

After seeing the dock area It sounded as if you had a lot of info to relay. Was I misstaken? That was 3hrs. ago.

No....I didn't forget Things have pulled me away from the office today and I haven't been able to post anything. Not to mention I can't stay connected to the internet for more than 2 minutes......keep getting bumped...traffic is very heavy right now.
I will post to a new topic....thanks for your patience!

Sandshaker, I echo Carrie's sentiments. I, too, had made plans back in August to come down November 13th. I had planned to dive, but after Keith, decided I would come and help with whatever was (is) needed. However, if I will be underfoot, or an extra burden to the island in regard to food, water, and an extra strain on utilities and infrastructure, I wonder if I should not come (even though my heart wants to badly). My travel agent is telling me that I must decide by Friday. Advice? Kim Matson in Wichita, KS
hazel@midusa.net

*

We as regulars on this board, have always answered all questions honestly from our point of view for the good people vacationing on Ambergris. We all want their tourism to get back in full operation, but they need time, and our patience. I too would love to come to San Pedro now, but from all I have read and I have read all the postings, we can best serve San Pedro to wait till they have rebuilt. We would just put a strain on them, more than a help now.

Chloe, thanks for your response. I would guess that you have been there many times, just as I have. It is a natural response to want to help those that you care about. But if being there makes it an added burden, then best to stay home. Even though i sent money, I still feel helpless. I know that there are a lot of people who wish they could do more. we send items for the relief effort but we still feel it is not enough. I know that, although many of us would feel better personally if we were there and could see those that we care about, it would not perhaps be in the best interest of the islanders. Such a gut wrencher is this dillema (sp?)! I have very mixed feelings. I want to come and pound nails and rebuild houses and asstst friends as well I can but I do not want to add to the problem. Thanks for your input. Lots to think about. Have to call the travel agent in the morning. Kim

Sandshaker,

Thanks for the compliment! I started the "DISASTER RELIEF ORGANIZERS - POST HERE!" topic due to my attempts and subsequent frustration in trying to find those worthwhile contacts in a very large, and fast-growing message board. The concept isn't perfect, but at least there is now a "somewhat" central place to find specific info without trying an ambiguous search of the entire message board.

It has been a very useful topic to which I can direct the many callers and e-mailers who wanted a simple answer to a complex question: "How can I help?".

In addition to the suggested topics you recommended, I've also been considering adding a "CASH DONATION SITE - TAX-FREE or OTHERWISE" central topic area for people to post under. More and more of the requests I've been receiving are leaning toward monetary donations. What do y'all think?

Marty, Tammy, Kathy, etc., etc. have ALL been doing an absolutely wonderful job of getting international attention and marshalling forces toward the plight in Belize. I sincerely thank y'all for your tireless efforts to assist the wonderful people that we know and love so well!

Jacques

Jacques....my sentiments exactly!
It is very hard to keep up with all the info and requests unless they are kept together. Getting people to do it is another matter...LOL
Another reason I like them all together is beacause I print the topic out for NEMO and it's so much easier if they are all together. Saves me a lot of precious time.

Thanks again!