Sewing for Katrina victims

OK... I've decided to put my sewing and stitching projects on hold for a while...
Zoanna from A Penchant for Pens has asked me to help her make drawstring bags for victims of Katrina who are currently staying in a shelter in San Antonio. People in the US can even make what Zoanna calls "Katrina Kits" - drawstring bags filled with toiletries. All the details are in Zoanna's latest blog entry. Zoanna will kindly fill my bags for me - sending them filled up from France would come up to enormous shipping charges, and I feel it much more useful to give such a big amount of money directly to humanitarian organizations worldwide.

Here is Zoanna's first message to me:

"I was wondering if you might like to make a difference in the world with the work of your hands? I am sewing toiletry bags for victims of Katrina. They are in mass housing and I thought it would be nice to make something personal that's practical, too. Friends are helping. The idea is that no two bags are alike. The adult bags are about 18x18 , kids' bags a bit smaller. Adults get one each of toothpaste, toothbrush carrying case, toothbrush, soap, washcloth, comb, nail clippers, and a note of encouragement. Kids the same minus nail clippers and deod, but they get a small toy or stuffed animals."

After getting some more details from Zoanna over the last few days, I started making bags yesterday night. I made 2 in an hour (the next bags should go together more quickly now I've figured out the quickest way to do it.)

Bags for adults are about 18x18" square (45-46 cm), and those for kids are 14x14" (35-36 cm).

I do realize this is a trifling help... But I feel it's better than nothing. It is difficult to find ways to help, such a long way from the US (other than sending money I mean).
I was also thinking of sewing items and sell them to charity auctions but
1° I have no idea of how to evaluate my work
2° I guess I like the fact of sewing directly for the victims. Of sewing something that I know will go to that shelter and be used by someone who needs it.

I plan to concentrate very hard in my work today, so I can try and finish my daily reading/note-taking earlier and make a dash to a fabric store nearby (there is little choice in there, but I know they have lightweight fabrics!). The cording I'm making myself with some cotton crochet/knitting yarn (I take 6 strands, put them by 2, and braid them in a jiffy with a hair braider I got for 50 pence (about 1$) on Ebay last week.
Zoanna tells me she especially needs bags with a masculine flair. She has mostly feminine fabrics at hand... So I hope I'll find sober fabrics

To you friends who have a sewing machine, would you like to help? This requires very basic sewing skills (only straight lines) and I would gladly write up a tutorial!

I do have a few things to show you though - Shashi received her parcel, and I made my very first Christmas ornament a few days ago! I'll try to post pictures ASAP...

Everyone have a beautiful day!