Dear friends,
I'm writing you because one of our own is need of our immediate help. Moyra Kaighen is 75 years old and until last Sunday, lived on Arthur Street in New Orleans. She made it out before Katrina hit and is staying temporarily with friends in Fort Myers, Florida. As all of us are acutely aware, that area of New Orleans is under 10-15 feet of water, sewage and chemicals. By most accounts, if New Orleans ever recovers, most structures will need to be torn down and rebuilt. In any event, the destruction to these homes will surely be total and recovery for the city and each survivor will take years.
Moyra’s nephew Rodney Kaighen tells me that they don’t know where she will wind up. The hardship that she has experienced and will continue to experience is something that all of us have imagined as our worst nightmare. Not only has she lost her home, but likely all her possessions as well. Here is some of what Rodney has relayed to me:
The only info I have so far is Moyra left New Orleans Saturday with a British friend and went to stay with some friends in FT Myers Florida. I have not been able to get through on the phone to her as yet but my sister has talked to her. The sad part of the story is Moy’s friend’s 19 year old daughter at the last minute decided to stay behind in New Orleans to take care of their home. Needless to say they don't know if she is dead or alive. I cannot even imagine the emotional pain that lady must be going through. I get worried if my wife is late coming home. Something hitting this close to home really starts to put life in perspective.
Yes, Moy did live at 4711 Arthur Dr. and from what I have seen of Meterie(sp) everything she had is gone. I just hope she got some of her heirlooms out but I even doubt that because she thought she would be back home by Tuesday. As I stated in my previous email Moy is one tough lady. She has lived in New Orleans by herself since my grandfather died. My family actually lived with her (in New Orleans) for a couple of years when we originally moved to this country. So New Orleans was the first part of Americana
I was exposed to.
Moy was in a serious car wreck (sometime in the mid 60s) when a drunk driver ran a red light and broadsided her, naturally the driver had no insurance. It was a miracle she survived but she has lived with a disability ever since I tell you this to point out that Moy is a survivor, she will come through this and put her life back together. I just hope I have half the strength and fortitude she possesses. Moy has lived on a fixed income which she subsidized by babysitting most of her life. Financially I wouldn't think she has much to fall back on but there are no worries that she will be taken care of! Anything folks could contribute to help her get back on her feet I know would be very appreciated but I also know these are some tough times. So I do not want folks to give anything thinking she is destitute. If folks have the means or a little extra great if not a "we are thinking about you" would be just as good. Money can't heal the emotional scars. The knowing they are not alone in this quagmire and people are concerned about them can make a tremendous difference.
These are dire times for Moy but she is surrounded by family who will come to her aid at a moments notice. Your email just shows that this philosophy even extends past her immediate family. So anything folks can contribute would be welcome and as soon as I make Moy aware of your efforts I will get back to you with more info. Until I have some direct contact with her I am unable to give any specific needs but as soon as I have more info I will pass it on.
Thank you
Rodney Kaighen
So we are asking for your assistance, financial or otherwise. This is a way for all of us to be able to directly affect someone in need, and you will know exactly who your assistance will reach.
Please contact me if you can help by emailing me at kaighin@iname.com. If you will be offering financial assistance, my preferred method of payment, particularly from those of you outside the United States is through Paypal. If you don't already have a Paypal account, please go to www.paypal.com and set up an account. It's very simple. You can tie an email address directly to your checking account and then transfer funds to my paypal account. This process will take about 48 hours due to account verification. My paypal account email address is gregkaighin@hawaii.rr.com. You will use that for the "Recipient's Email" field. Paypal accepts currency transfers in American Dollars, Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Japanese Yen or Pounds Sterling. If you would prefer to assist Moyra by using a personal check, even from outside the US, please mail it to me so I can convert it to US dollars. My address is:
Greg Kaighin
4280 Salt Lake Blvd. D22
Honolulu, HI 96818
USA
All money will go immediately and directly to Moyra’s nephew Rodney who will present it to her personnally. If you would like to offer Moyra your words of support please email her via Rodney at rodney.kaighen@celanese.com or via the post at this address:
Moyra Kaighen
c/o Rodney Kaighen
94 El Dorado Dr.,
Friendswood, TX 77546-6001
USA
Thank you,
Greg Kaighin
www.kaighin.com
“These are the times that try men’s souls”
- Thomas Paine, Common Sense – 1776