Community wireless groups help in Katrina efforts
If you are wondering why Sascha, the esteemed editor of this section, has been quiet lately, it’s because he has been helping to set up a communications network in the Astrodome in Houston (where many of the refugees have been temporarily housed) and rebuild New Orleans’ telecommunications infrastruccture. Here’s what he says in his blog:If you are wondering why Sascha, the esteemed editor of this section, has been quiet lately, it’s because he has been helping to set up a communications network in the Astrodome in Houston (where many of the refugees have been temporarily housed) and rebuild New Orleans’ telecommunications infrastruccture. Here’s what he says in his blog:
I’m working on coordinating a group of folks to head down to the NOLA area… CNT is sending an advance team down to Rayville, LA and we’re taking things from there. If you want to help, let me know — our main need right now is funding (we’re currently paying for everything out of our own pockets). More details on the CUWiN website. Other folks are working to set up a new LPFM radio station at the Astrodome, but need 10,000 radios (and the batteries to run them) before the authorities will allow them on the air. If you have leads, let us know.
Read more about the Community Wireless Rapid Response organized by CUWIN here at www.cuwireless.net. As you all know, the lack of adequate communications in Louisiana and Mississippi greatly hampered rescue and relief efforts. Instead of sitting around and complaining, these community wireless volunteers are trying to do something about it.
If you want to help out Sascha and his group, please donate (go to the CUWIN website).
Wireless ISPs also help out
An ad-hoc group of WISP and community wireless networking volunteers have converged in Rayville, LA at the home of Mac Dearman, the operator of a local WISP, to help connect evacuees from the New Orleans area to Internet and phone service. Using Mac’s network of towers (which starts on his property where he serves customers on a network fed by 6 T1s), shelters all over the region are connected using unlicensed spectrum – 900MHz, 2.4GHz, 5.8GHz, as appropriate – and PCs and VoIP phones are hooked up inside so that evacuees can file FEMA requests for assistance, use email, search the missing persons databases, and, most importantly, call their families.
Supported by donations of equipment, money, and supplies from private individuals and the technology industry from all across the country, the growing group of about 15 volunteers have themselves come from all parts of the US, from Atlanta, Illinois, California, among others. Over the last 5 days they’ve connected nearly 1000 evacuees to phone and Internet service, and are starting to strategize about expanding the network to reach larger groups of shelters further south into the devasted region.
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14 Professional Organizations in Philly Combine Efforts to Create Campaign Katrina—A Night for Relief
 
September 22, 2005 – Philadelphia, PA – In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Marketing Association (PAMA), joined by twelve other area professional associations, is hosting “Campaign Katrina—A Night for Relief,” Wednesday, October 5th from 5:45 – 8:00 PM at the Marathon Grill, at 20th and Market, Philadelphia. A minimum donation of $25 is required.
 
Over 10,000 invitations have gone out to members of the various organizations, listed below:
American Marketing Association
Philadelphia Ad Club
Philadelphia Art Directors Club
Metropolitan Philadelphia Chapter of the Legal Marketing Association
Philadelphia Public Relations Association
Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Product Development and Management Association
Philadelphia Chapter of the Market Research Association
International Association of Business Communicators
Women in Communications
Professional Marketers Forum
American Bankers Association Marketing Network
Association of Accounting Marketing
Association of Legal Administrators
Bucks County Women’s Business Forum
 
Members are encouraged to bring guests, and non-members are invited to the fundraiser.
 
“It’s difficult enough to imagine not having access to Blackberries, phones and email. But for the people of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, it’s food, water, shelter. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the Humane Society and The Salvation Army are active in communities on an ongoing basis, and it’s going to take a long time to restore the lives of those families,” comments Rainer Bobzin, president of the PAMA. 
 
The Marathon Grill donated their facility and the food.  There will also be a raffle with items including an Apple i-Pod. All proceeds – the registration fee and any additional gifts Рwill be donated to the Disaster Relief Funds of The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and The Humane Society. Representatives from the three charities will explain how the donations will be spent.  Boston & Associates will perform the audit.
 
Date:   Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Time: 5:45pm to 8:00pm
Place:  Marathon Grill, Commerce Square, 20th & Market Streets, Philadelphia
(215-561-0500)
Donation: $25 minimum per individual.
 
To register, visit http://www.amaphiladelphia.org/katrina.htm. Those who would like to make a donation but cannot attend Campaign Katrina – A Night for Relief are encouraged to donate online at the website, via Visa or MasterCard. All donations are tax deductible.
 
Those who prefer to pay by cash or check at the door or have any questions, should call Chris Stewart at 215-295-0729.
 
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