Hurricane Irene: Get help, donate now to the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has started a relief effort to help those affected by Hurricane Irene. If you need shelter, you can do a search for one that is closest to you.

When a major emergency strikes the U.S., Americans ban together to help each other. The first thing we ask is how can we help. The ARC has a list of Smart Giving Tips for Disasters.

• Donate cash to an established disaster relief organization, like the American Red Cross. It’s the fastest way to get help to those who need it most.
• If you’d like to donate used or new products, contact an established disaster relief organization that is serving the affected area to determine whether there is a specific need for what you’d like to donate.
• Work with organizations when donating needed bulk product or food items, which can help large numbers of people in the affected community.
• Prior to delivering items to an established relief organization, call to determine appropriate location and time for drop-off, as many have specific collection points.
• If you would like to organize a food or clothing drive, contact an established disaster relief organization to determine what is most needed in the affected community and how to ensure the donations are properly collected.
• Ask if what you’d like to donate is needed, culturally appropriate and if relief organizations can manage the collection effectively. Some well-intentioned yet inappropriate product, food or used clothing donations can actually divert the attention of disaster relief organizations and local governments away from the task at hand by requiring them spend time sorting and storing unneeded items.
• Consider selling your product on eBay Giving Works, or another site and donate the proceeds to an established disaster relief organization serving the affected area.
• The American Red Cross, as a member of NVOAD (National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), works with our partner organizations to help assist those that have been affected by a disaster. For more information on NVOAD, see www.nvoad.org.

The ARC has a page to list yourself as safe and well, and a place to search for loved ones. Hopefully it will help if you are separated from your family.

Blood is always needed after an emergency. You may be eligible to donate blood if you are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet height and weight requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height), and are in generally good health. To schedule an appointment, please go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.



Donations to American Red Cross Disaster Relief are needed and can be made by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS, texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. You can also send contributions to your local Red Cross chapter, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

God Bless everyone touched by this storm. How bad is it where you are? We pray you are safe.