Dear CODEPINK Activist,

In the wake of the horrific devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, further compounded by the Bush Administration's disastrous response, the women and men of CODEPINK are fully mobilized to be of service in every way possible. It is heart-wrenching to see the disconsolate faces of our brothers and sisters begging their nation for help. Most tragic are the anguished images of unsheltered mothers, clutching hungry babies while searching for food. All this, while our critically needed National Guard, the homeland's primary protectors, are deployed to battle an illegal, unjustifiable war. Tragically, the misdeeds of the Federal Government have shredded America's ability to take care of its own. Nearly 40% of our National Guard and Army reservists are currently fighting in Iraq. And while the National Guard of each state serves under authority of the Governor, the Bush Administration has commandeered their critical services, forced them overseas, and depleted America's own strength at home.

These atrocious policies, which have severely weakened our nation, increase the urgent need for the women and men of CODEPINK, and the rest of America, to RISE UP TO HELP. Please do whatever you can. CODEPINK has compiled the following ways you can contribute to help alleviate this unprecedented tragedy.

1. Donate Blood, Blood for Life and Not for Oil. Contact www.givelife.org or call 1-800—GIVELIFE. You can make your own individual appointment or go as a group. San Diego CODEPINK is organizing a group donation on Sunday.

2. Support our CODEPINK Austin and Houston efforts to aid victims flooding into their cities.
This includes support for housing, clothing and food needs, and special needs of women and infant children.

3. Send much needed supplies to CAMP CASEY III, in Covington LA.
Veterans and other Camp Casey Alumni have set up a relief station at Reverend Peter Atkins Park on the corner of 28th and Tyler in Covington, Louisiana. Today we sent 2 huge boxes of medical supplies.

4. Create a visible presence at your Federal Building to demand full funding for Katrina relief efforts and to demand the National Guard return home from Iraq to support the relief efforts. Bay Area CODEPINK will be in front of the San Francisco and Oakland Federal Buildings from 4:30pm-6pm on Tuesday. You can pick Tuesday or any day of your choosing for your local action. Let us know what you have planned. (Contact: dana@codepinkalert.org and put Katrina in the subject.)

We are one nation. We are one people. AND WE WILL HELP!

With outrage, sadness and compassion,
Alicia, Andrea, Dana, Farida, Gael, Grace, Jodie, Linda, Medea, Rae, Tiffany and Whitney

P.S. Join us in D.C., September 24-26, for a historic weekend of mass mobilization against the war in Iraq. Click here to learn more about how you can volunteer. If you can't join us, don't forget to visit onemillionreasons.org so we can take your reason to get out of Iraq to the White House. Encourage your friends to submit their reasons as well. And don't forget to forward this email to your friends!

As students and parents are gearing up for the new school year, CODEPINK and friends from the Leave My Child Alone coalition will be working towards the end of militarization of our youth! This week (starting September 7th) a NATIONAL month of opt-out will begin with events all over the country. Join us in this action to spread the word about opting out students from military databases. For more information visit www.leavemychildalone.org and CODEPINK's Back-to-School webpage.