How to Help Hurricane Victims

Damage from Hurricane Katrina

Hurricanes are powerful storms that do severe damage to areas along the coast. Hurricanes have taken out whole towns and left thousands without a place to call home. Our hearts break as we watch the devastation unfold on our television screens. We feel hopeless, but we aren't. The problem is a big one, but there is something that each of us can do. You may not know where to start so this article will guide you.

Instructions

1. Donate Cash. This is the most obvious way you can help hurricane victims. Each organization that collects donations can hand out vouchers to the affected families so they can get what they need. The money may also go toward rebuilding all of the homes and businesses that were damaged in the hurricane.

2. Volunteer your time to help. Don't just show up to lend a hand. There are coordinated efforts. Join one of the organizations that already have plans and know what needs to be done. They can always use an extra pair of hands.

3. Provided affected families with their specific needs. There is a website called "Been There: The Hurricane Clearinghouse." This website allows hurricane victims to post their specific needs. You can browse through these needs and find something that is being asked for that you are capable of donating. Even simple things like Christmas presents during the winter season. Hurricane victims often can't afford that luxury after they have lost their house, car, and personal belongings. In this circumstance it is the children who suffer. Providing a few gifts could really lift the spirits of all involved.

4. Look for websites dedicated to the hurricane that just occurred. There are always going to be people out there who build websites for their own selfish gain, so make sure you investigate the site thoroughly before you make a donation.

5. Donate cars to Habitat for Humanity. Habitat builds homes for hurricane victims. They use the money from the car donations to get the needed supplies. This is a great way to help hurricane victims because their biggest need is a home. They can't really get back to their normal lives until they have a place to call home.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a specific way you want to help do a little searching and contact organizations that can help your idea come to fruition.

• To donate cash call one of the following organizations:

• American Red Cross at 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English or 1-800-257-7575 Spanish

• America’s Second Harvest at 1-800-344-8070

• Humane Society of the United States at 1-888-259-5431

• Operation Blessing 1-800-436-6348

• United Jewish Communities at 1-877-277-2477

• Remember all cash donations are deductible on your taxes so kindly ask for a receipt.

• Here is a list of places you can volunteer to help when a hurricane strikes:

• Adventist Community Services at 1-800-381-7171

• B'nai B'rith International at 1-888-388-4224

• Catholic Charities, USA at 1-800-919-9338

• Christian Disaster Response at 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554

• Christian Reformed World Relief Committee at 1-800-848-5818

• Church World Service at 1-800-297-1516

• Convoy of Hope at 417-823-8998

• Corporation for National and Community Service Disaster Relief Fund at 202-606-6718

• Disaster Psychiatry Outreach at 1-212-598-9995

• Feed the Children at 1-800-525-7575

• Lutheran Disaster Response at 800-638-3522

• Mennonite Disaster Service at 717-859-2210

• Nazarene Disaster Response; at 888-256-5886

• Presbyterian Disaster Assistance at 800-872-3283

• Salvation Army at 1-800-SAL-ARMY

• Southern Baptist Convention--Disaster Relief at 1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

• UJA Federation of New York at 212 836-1880

• United Methodist Committee on Relief at 1-800-554-8583

• Don't just show up at a hurricane site. Make plans first and join an organization that already knows what to do to help. You could just end up getting in the way.

Resources

• FEMA
• The Hurricane Clearinghouse
• Habitat for Humanity