#GivingTuesday: Hurricane Sandy Aid Edition
I LOVE NY. (I’ve been here nearly my entire life.) So Hurricane Sandy is so hard not only because of the devastation she left with so many, but how she was really brutal on my city. We New Yorkers are tough, but we’re just not prepared for hurricanes. It’s not something we grew up with and honestly, our city is just not built for it. I told my 9-year-old son that this is will be an event that, yeah, he’ll probably be talking about when he’s an old man.
Because of Hurricane Sandy, this #GivingTuesday edition is not only delayed one day but also an extra special edition. It focuses on how to help citizens and businesses affected by Hurricane Sandy. Really, most of the resources I have listed are ones that can be used by you to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy all along the Eastern Coast. I really like you, too, NJ and Connecticut.
My main source for these resources was Charity Navigator which is the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities.
1. American Red Cross:
Financial donations help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
2. AmeriCares: Their response builds on the experience of 30 years of providing swift, efficient and effective aid to people in times of catastrophe, and then helping survivors rebuild their lives. AmeriCares has launched a large scale emergency response to help people affected by the hurricane, starting with deliveries of water, family emergency kits, and other relief supplies to hard hit communities. Their Emergency Response team is in contact with 130 clinic and response partners, as well as FEMA and voluntary agencies to assess needs and prepare targeted shipments of medicines and relief supplies. Click here to donate to a matching fundraiser for AmeriCares, American Red Cross & Feeding America specifically for Hurricane Sandy.
3. Best Friends Animal Society:
Best Friends Animal Society first responders are on watchful alert to determine which communities across the four states most heavily impacted by the storm will need rescue and recovery support most urgently. Best Friends will be directing its team of water rescue experts and New York City programs volunteers to the communities and situations most in need. Your contribution to Best Friends goes straight to work helping tens of thousands of animals in need of rescue.
4. Save The Children:
In response to Hurricane Sandy, Save the Children has already mobilized staff and resources to hardest-hit areas of New Jersey to ensure children’s needs are addressed in the aftermath of the ‘superstorm.’ Save the Children has a strong track record of responding to emergencies in the region. When Hurricane Irene struck last year, we supplied child-friendly environments in 82 hurricane shelters housing 1,708 children. Your donation will help them protect vulnerable children and provide desperately needed relief to families. You can donate directly to the Hurricane Sandy Children in Emergency Fund.
5. Feeding America:
As the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization, Feeding America was already prepared to provide food, water and other supplies to those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Thousands of pounds of supplies were already stationed near the anticipated disaster zone to make sure that those affected by the storm would have immediate access to food and water. And, yes it’s fair to say now, that this “superstorm” had a much bigger-than-anticipated impact. Looking at Feeding America’s Twitter feed, it’s clear that some of their local food banks were affected by Sandy, BUT they had pre-staged emergency food supplies throughout the nation (including nearby) in anticipation of that. Their food banks are up and running throughout the Eastern Coast and they need donations and helping hands. Check out their Twitter feed for specifics.
6. Direct Relief International:
As the only nonprofit licensed to distribute prescription medications in all 50 states, Direct Relief’s importance cannot be understated in an emergency situation. In addition, Direct Relief has a vast emergency preparedness and response program in place with over 1,000 nonprofit clinics and health centers nationwide. The organization has been around since 1948 and understands that health crises can arise in mass evacuation situations when people flee their residences without their support medications. To support Direct Response’s Hurricane Sandy aid efforts: text ‘RELIEF’ to 27722 & give $10 via mGive.com to help get critical medicine & supplies to those affected.
If you would prefer to donate your time and skills, please check out these resources:
1) New Jersey Office of Emergency Management has a volunteer department but I don’t see anything specifically on Hurricane Sandy just yet. If you have further info, please let me know in the comments section.
2) New York City: Those who wish to volunteer in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy can email their name, phone number, email address and borough to [email protected]. As opportunities arise they will contact you.
I wish those affected by Hurricane Sandy virtual strength and comfort.
