I don't think one group cares about the victims of Katrina more than the other. It is not a contest on who does what, why, where, when. I think basically people do what they can. When I see the amounts some of the parent organizations raised I'm amazed. With all the other charitable organizations trying to get money from everyone the pool is getting smaller and smaller. I commend anyone for doing what they can in this economy. Every little bit helps.
I agree, a lot of people did a lot but I definitely saw a difference in organization... The PTA boards had tons of postings and had organized within days on their site. Here there were a few random postings but they faded away. They were very organized in putting PTAs in touch with schools that needed help.. and no one had to apply for anything to get it.
I don't think it is just PTA"s that are helping there are six schools in our district and they all held some kind of fundraiser/drive for Katrina victims. All around us schools also helped out, it doesn't seem to matter what kind of parent group the school has...for the record we are a PTO.
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
Our PTO just adopted 5 classrooms in the Katrina area as well through the adopt a classroom program. Just a way to help, but it was 2500 dollars flowing into those places that need it most.
In response to your first question -- lots of people. The outpouring for Katrina victims has been so great.
In terms of grants to parent groups, I'd point to the Lowe's Toolbox for Education grant program. www.toolboxforeducation.com
Lowe's just last week mailed roughly $800,000 worth of checks to more than 175 parent groups across the country. So much good work supported. And it will happen again with even more $$ this spring, as another grant application cycle closes in a month or so. A good number of the first set of grants (and even more of the newest set of applications coming in) are from Katrina-affected parent groups.
