Naperville Community Meeting August 31, 2017
Remember: GIVE MONEY, NOT THINGS It s not cold or impersonal: it s the BEST way to help immediately following a disaster Money helps disaster relief agencies respond in the best way Trained individuals who can meet specific physical and psychological needs Groups that understand how to work in government and disaster relief framework Large organizations (national/international) have the right infrastructure in place Small, local organization who aren t familiar with dispersing large sums of money may be overwhelmed by the influx following a disaster large groups can help these smaller groups over time
Cash is the most efficient method of donating. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover. Remember, unsolicited goods such as used clothing, miscellaneous household items, and mixed or perishable foodstuffs require helping agencies to redirect valuable resources away from providing services to sort, package, transport, warehouse, and distribute items that may not meet the needs of disaster survivors. - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) www.fema.gov/volunteer-donate-responsibly
Vet any organization or charity before you give to them Here are three reputable sites that let you evaluate the effectiveness of a charity and its finances. www.charitynavigator.org www.givewell.org www.guidestar.org www.give.org (BBB)
Remember: GIVE MONEY, NOT THINGS Donating items without an end plan in place is not good. If everyone sends truckloads of goods without coordinating with those overseeing the disaster, a secondary disaster is created. These items may take up valuable space better used for more immediate needs, like generators to restore power, or supplies to ensure first responders can adequately work the disaster area.
Remember: WORK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK Do not decide to go yourself to the disaster site and attempt to volunteer. Contact and affiliate with an established organization to make sure you are appropriately trained to respond in the best way.
Remember: AVOID SCAMS Donate to a reputable organization that was not created immediately after a disaster. If a charity s site doesn t say how the funds will be used, that s not a good sign. When you donate, do so through an organization s website. Don t donate via Facebook or Twitter directly. If you do via text message, only do so to organizations that you trust or have protections in place, like the Red Cross and Salvation Army. There are popular online giving sites, like GoFundMe, that are trying to avoid scams. GoFundMe has all legitimate Harvey-related fundraisers on a specific site on its page. And remember, if you text to donate, the charge will show up on your mobile phone bill. If you've asked your mobile phone provider to block premium text messages texts that cost extra then you won't be able to donate this way.
www.houstontx.gov for updated information as recovery continues
American Red Cross www.redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey You can also text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10. Salvation Army www.salvationarmyusa.org 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) You can also text STORM to 51555 AmeriCares www.americares.org Takes medicine and supplies to survivors Catholic Charities www.catholiccharities.org Provides food, clothing, shelter and support services to those from all religious backgrounds
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief/ Organized by Houston s Mayor, Sylvester Turner, and administered by Greater Houston Community Foundation Houston Food Bank www.houstonfoodbank.org Food Bank of Corpus Christi www.foodbankcc.com Houston Humane Society www.houstonhumane.org Houston SPCA www.houstonspca.org San Antonio Humane Society https://sahumane.org Texas Diaper Bank www.texasdiaperbank.org Currently seeking diapers and wipes mail to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Texas 78238 United Way of Greater Houston www.unitedwayhouston.org/flood Flood relief fund will be used to help with immediate needs as well as long-term services like minor home repair You can also donate by texting UWFLOOD to 41444
Lifesource is taking special donations for Harvey locally Make sure your donation will actually get to those who need it! Check first! If interested in donating: AABB (301) 907-6977, www.aabb.org America s Blood Centers - www.americasblood.org American Red Cross (800) 733-2767 Armed Services Blood Program (703) 681-5979
Help this Labor Day Weekend! Jaycees collecting cash donations at all ticket/beverage sale booths during Last Fling Donations go to American Red Cross and Salvation Army During the Last Fling parade, marchers will have buckets for cash donations This is a great way to not only donate dollars to best help Harvey victims, but it s a great way to get children involved in giving to others! Show them how easy it is to help others in a responsible, sustainable way.
Remember: RELIEF WILL TAKE YEARS Once it s out of the news, donations drop off but they are still needed! That s why national agency support is so important they work with local organizations to make sure long-term needs are met. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period. Consider signing up for training with a relief organization Consider signing up for training with a relief organization National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster - www.nvoad.org/hurricane-harvey/volunteer/ FEMA recommends this site for lists of trusted disaster-relief organizations in Texas and throughout the country International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.: www.icisf.org Red Cross: www.redcross.org/training Salvation Army: www.salvationarmyusa.org/chicago/eds