Alright guys... let's not turn this awful situation into a cause for argument.
Vastus... you have to understand that this sort of thing happens all the time. Everytime there's a horrible situation, there are some people that are ready to take advantage of it. I'm not saying it's you. But if someone else sees that we're willing to give money solicited by a member then others will get the idea to do it too, now or some other time.
MWers have gotten together before when a member is down in luck, but I don't believe it was ever solicited by that person. It's a heartbreaking situation that has happened in that part of the country, but no matter how bad it is, the message board is the wrong place to turn to. Good luck to you and the other misfortuned people that was devastated.
I'm hoping that a mod would lock this thread before it gets out of hand.