This is Annabanana-- our Hurricane Rita child. (PiCS!)

[Maddy McCall]

Numerous DUers donated clothes, toys, a pretty princess nightgown, little sparkly stuff that girls like, notebooks, colors, and even a sanddollar! Anna got Bratz dolls, and lots of other stuff. One DUer kindly sent hera department store gift-card.

The story about Anna, in case you don't remember: As Rita was pressing down, Anna's parents dumped Anna on the grandmother who lives in Houston, and had made no arrangements as to when they would see her again, and showed no concern about how Anna would fare through Rita coming ashore. Well, that grandmother had to go to work, so she called the other grandmother, who had already evacuated to my town in Mississippi, and the grandmothers agreed to meet in Baton Rouge (midway), so Anna could be with her other Granny. Once in Mississippi, a slightly enraged Grandmother told us that all Anna had was the clothes on her back and shoes on her feet, that the other G'mother hadn't even packed a bag for her.

The hurricane did indeed smack Port Arthur. But Anna and her Grandmother had no idea how much damage their home had sustained, and the had no way to get to Anna's stuff. So I asked DUers if some would like to help, and help they did.

These DUers are top-notch folks...they are my friends. I am proud to be a member of DU with them.

Please, you all who sent items, Post in this thread and tell what you sent.
As the photo shows, you made a difference in the life of a little girl.


:loveya: :loveya:

Rest of this story is that the Grandmother to which she ws brought--the one she mostly lives with--the one went to Baton Rouge to get her--she's a very kind woman. Anyway, she went back to her home a couple of weeks later, and found that the house had been flooded and all of this family's clothing, furniture, carpet, and so on was mildew damaged. So, that DU gave so generously was perfect, because Anna cam home to no clothes. For a week, all she had to wear was her favorite Tinkerbell nightgown, and the other cute clothes, until a store opened and her grandmother could take her to buy a few things.

At any rate, DUers, you gave to a child who needed help. You showed her that there are kind people living far away from her, but who still care about her. Thank you so much for that!

I have a few loose ends to tie up, so if anyone sent something which was not acknowledged, please PM me. I do know that Anna's grandmother has helped her get thank-you notes out, but she needs an address for Midlo, I am certain. Anyone who hasn't received a note from anna, just let me know.