How can I help?

In the days after September 11th, many companies were hit very hard by the attacks. After the attacks, people made a vow, a vow that they believed enough in the American economy that instead of selling, they vowed to buy stock in a company hit directly by the attacks.

In the days after Hurricane Katrina, many people have been hit very hard. Their homes damaged, flooded or destroyed, separated from their love ones, and we can only pray that they are rejoined safe and sound.

So what can I do? One answer might surprise you.

In addition to contributing and volunteering where you can:

Use less gas.

20% of all oil used in the United States comes in through the Gulf states affected by the Hurricane. The very same people who have been devastated by this Hurricane are responsible for getting these facilities back online. The same people have homes that have been devastated or destroyed. They have to get their lives back online first.

By the sheer volume of oil going through this region, these people will be under extreme pressure to get oil production facilities back online, at the same time as they try to get their own lives back in order. That's assuming demand for oil remains the same.

You can help out by giving them some relief. You can do this by saving on trips, car pooling, using public transit. By reducing your own demand for oil, you are telling the citizens of Louisiana, Mississippi, and all the Gulf states affected by the Hurricane: "I can wait to fill up my tank. Go home, make sure your loved ones are safe, and do what you need to do, because I can wait."

The people of the Gulf Coast need you now more than ever.

Please pass this on! Every person who saves a gallon of gas is more time someone in the Gulf Coast can work on getting their own lives in order!

Thank you.