How to Make a Gift to Disaster Evacuees

This article is written by someone who was forced (by necessity) to evacuate from the New Orleans area just hours in front of Hurricane Katrina and whose rented home was damaged by Hurricane Katrina, then flooded by Hurricane Rita.

Thank goodness we were able to get the cats, the car and the computers to safety. We were far better off than many others who were trapped. Still, I had bras and a robe, but not underpants or a jacket. My fiancé had T-shirts, but only the slacks that he was wearing. In our frenzied packing, neither of us grabbed the toothbrushes or deodorant. The irreplaceable pictures of my mother (as a child in Japan) were safe in my car's trunk as we fled, but the tear sheets (examples - proof! ) of my work as a freelance writer were lost to the flood waters. Both banks (his and mine) were specific to the region where we lived (supporting local business) and under water. Somehow, though, I grabbed the file with the car insurance info... which we never needed. My point is that you never know.

An amazing number of people know (even before you realize) that you need help. These people are willing to be a resource for you, but they are unsure how to do that, how to make sure that you get the help that you need.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mailing address for recipient

1. The first thing an evacuee does is try to reach their loved ones. Evacuees should provide their loved ones with a land-line phone number and mailing address where they can be reached. If they don't think to offer this information (completely understandable), hopefully you will ask for it.
   
   Evacuees: Be aware that cell phone numbers ARE NOT RELIABLE in a major regional disaster. Even if you get through once (calling out), don't depend on the connection to allow others to get through to you. I am certain that cell providers are working on this issue, even as we speak. For the time being, though, don't rely on a cell phone connection to keep you in touch when your "home" towers are out of commission.
   
   If you are not sure when you will be able to receive mail at your home address, get a Post Office Box in the town where you are staying.

2. If you are an individual and you want your donation to go directly to your friend, send it to your friend.
   
   Donating to the Red Cross (which may be active in the area) or other larger charity organizations is never a bad idea, but if your really want to make sure that the brunt of your donation reaches folks who need it on the spot (and right away), send it to the person you know and trust. Enclose a note to tell them that you want to help and if they need it, they should use it. If they are okay, ask them to help another evacuee with the extra cash. You'd be astounded to hear how effective this kind of networking can be.

3. Friends: If you want to send monetary help to a friend in need, by all means, please do so... But choose your method well.
   
   A check will not help your evacuated friend immediately. If the evacuee' s bank is in chaos (and this includes the so-called "National" banks which will accept deposits from customers from other regions but put a Hold on funds because they can't actually confirm your account history...), a check will not help them.
   
   Instead, send a United States Post Office Money Order. Every town has a United States Post Office. That Post Office can cash a money order purchased from another Post Office.
   
   Evacuees: Even if you are planning to open a new bank account (as many must), cash your money order first, before taking your deposit to a new bank. Keep what you need and use the rest to open your new account. When you deposit the cash, make sure that the balance is available immediately.

4. Another great way to send help to individuals is to use gift cards. Places like Target and Wal-Mart are accessible almost anywhere an evacuee might land and the gift card can be used immediately.

5. Church congregations or church groups who want to extend a hand to those in need: Give your pastor the task of contacting a sister church in an area which has accepted evacuees, or a church which has remained active in the area which was struck by disaster.
   
   Gift cards, donations of clothing or blankets and other offers of assistance can all be funneled directly to evacuees with the help of a sister church in the area.

6. The desire to help is a wonderful thing, but be careful. Each disaster spawns a new crop of individuals who are glad to accept your donation in the name of charity, but who have no intention of passing your donation along to those in need. Avoid the impulse to drop your donation into a "Disaster Aid" collection jar and never give your credit card or banking information to stranger who calls to solicit donations over the phone.
   
   If you don't have a direct connection to a person or organization in the effected area, then a reputable organization like the Red Cross is definitely the way to go.