Difference between revisions of "Help Flood Victims"
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Floods can be devastating. Depending on the severity, flood victims might lose everything they have: their homes, their jobs, even their loved ones. Whether it’s donating a dollar or volunteering to rebuild damaged houses, there are a several ways to lend a helping hand to those in need. | Floods can be devastating. Depending on the severity, flood victims might lose everything they have: their homes, their jobs, even their loved ones. Whether it’s donating a dollar or volunteering to rebuild damaged houses, there are a several ways to lend a helping hand to those in need. | ||
| − | [[Category:Volunteer and Community Service]] | + | [[Category: Volunteer and Community Service]] |
[[Category:Floods]] | [[Category:Floods]] | ||
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=== Making Donations === | === Making Donations === | ||
#Make a monetary donation. Sending money is an easy and effective way to help. | #Make a monetary donation. Sending money is an easy and effective way to help. | ||
| − | #*Be sure that you are donating to a reputable organization like The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, or UNICEF. Unfortunately, some sham organizations can crop up in the aftermath of disasters as ploys to steal well-intentioned donations.<ref>http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24096409/colorado-floods-how-help-those-impacted</ref> | + | #*Be sure that you are donating to a reputable organization like The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, or UNICEF. Unfortunately, some sham organizations can crop up in the aftermath of disasters as ploys to steal well-intentioned donations.<ref name="rf1">http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_24096409/colorado-floods-how-help-those-impacted</ref> |
| − | #*Ask if you can make a donation via text message. A recent trend among aid organizations is to provide a phone number and keyword for people to make a donations. The amount you give will show up on your next mobile phone bill. It’s as easy as sending a text message, and much more meaningful!<ref>http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/donations/text-messaging</ref> | + | #*Ask if you can make a donation via text message. A recent trend among aid organizations is to provide a phone number and keyword for people to make a donations. The amount you give will show up on your next mobile phone bill. It’s as easy as sending a text message, and much more meaningful!<ref name="rf2">http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/donations/text-messaging</ref> |
| − | #Donate goods. If you have extra or unneeded items laying around, consider donating them to flood victims in need.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/28/how.to.help/</ref> | + | #Donate goods. If you have extra or unneeded items laying around, consider donating them to flood victims in need.<ref name="rf3">http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/28/how.to.help/</ref> |
#*Gently used clothing, socks, shoes, bedding, and blankets are almost always in need after a devastating flood. | #*Gently used clothing, socks, shoes, bedding, and blankets are almost always in need after a devastating flood. | ||
#*You can also help the children affected by floods by sending them books and toys. | #*You can also help the children affected by floods by sending them books and toys. | ||
#*Purchase and donate new, non-perishable food items and bottled drinking water. | #*Purchase and donate new, non-perishable food items and bottled drinking water. | ||
#*First aid kits, tents, mosquito netting, soap, and hygiene products might also be needed. | #*First aid kits, tents, mosquito netting, soap, and hygiene products might also be needed. | ||
| − | #Donate blood. Floods can cause serious injuries and there may be a need for more blood after a the disaster. If there’s a blood drive in your area, and if you meet the health/age requirements, consider becoming a donor.<ref>http://www.thesimpledollar.com/seven-things-you-can-do-right-now-to-help-flood-victims/</ref> | + | #Donate blood. Floods can cause serious injuries and there may be a need for more blood after a the disaster. If there’s a blood drive in your area, and if you meet the health/age requirements, consider becoming a donor.<ref name="rf4">http://www.thesimpledollar.com/seven-things-you-can-do-right-now-to-help-flood-victims/</ref> |
| − | #Donate your leave time. Some large companies, especially governmental agencies or offices, allow people to donate their unused sick time or vacation leave to others in need. Contact the human resources representative at your work and ask if you can transfer some of your leave time to those unable to work as a result of the flood.<ref | + | #Donate your leave time. Some large companies, especially governmental agencies or offices, allow people to donate their unused sick time or vacation leave to others in need. Contact the human resources representative at your work and ask if you can transfer some of your leave time to those unable to work as a result of the flood.<ref name="rf4" /> |
=== Becoming a Volunteer === | === Becoming a Volunteer === | ||
#Volunteer in the affected area. If it's safe enough to travel to the afflicted area, see if aid organizations are looking for volunteers to help on the ground. | #Volunteer in the affected area. If it's safe enough to travel to the afflicted area, see if aid organizations are looking for volunteers to help on the ground. | ||
| − | #*If you meet height, weight, age, fitness, education, and U.S. citizenship requirements, consider joining the [http://www.nationalguard.mil/Home.aspx National Guard]. The National Guard is a part-time, locally organized branch of the U.S. military that responds to natural disasters (both in the U.S. and sometimes abroad) as part of their call of duty.<ref>http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/ArticleView/tabid/5563/Article/573302/guard-army-corps-provide-flood-relief.aspx</ref> After completing basic training, you can chose a short-term enlistment (three years) and then continue to be a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) who are called up in the event of emergencies like natural disasters.<ref>https://www.nationalguard.com/guard-faqs#faq-454</ref> | + | #*If you meet height, weight, age, fitness, education, and U.S. citizenship requirements, consider joining the [http://www.nationalguard.mil/Home.aspx National Guard]. The National Guard is a part-time, locally organized branch of the U.S. military that responds to natural disasters (both in the U.S. and sometimes abroad) as part of their call of duty.<ref name="rf5">http://www.nationalguard.mil/News/ArticleView/tabid/5563/Article/573302/guard-army-corps-provide-flood-relief.aspx</ref> After completing basic training, you can chose a short-term enlistment (three years) and then continue to be a member of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) who are called up in the event of emergencies like natural disasters.<ref name="rf6">https://www.nationalguard.com/guard-faqs#faq-454</ref> |
| − | #*Consider volunteering with [https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/one/donate.aspx?link=271&source_code=DHQOW1407W1GGP&iq_id=86202156-VQ6-42874363281-VQ16-c Habitat for Humanities] or other organizations whose mission is to clear debris, help homeowners salvage their personal belongings, and rebuild damaged homes. <ref>http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sponsor-story/habitat-for-humanity-colorado/2015/01/28/habitat-money-flood-victims/22458701/</ref> | + | #*Consider volunteering with [https://www.habitat.org/cd/giving/one/donate.aspx?link=271&source_code=DHQOW1407W1GGP&iq_id=86202156-VQ6-42874363281-VQ16-c Habitat for Humanities] or other organizations whose mission is to clear debris, help homeowners salvage their personal belongings, and rebuild damaged homes. <ref name="rf7">http://www.coloradoan.com/story/sponsor-story/habitat-for-humanity-colorado/2015/01/28/habitat-money-flood-victims/22458701/</ref> |
| − | #Volunteer your professional services. Your time and talents are a valuable resource and can help those in need.<ref | + | #Volunteer your professional services. Your time and talents are a valuable resource and can help those in need.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#*If you are a health care professional, see if you can donate your medical services or supplies. | #*If you are a health care professional, see if you can donate your medical services or supplies. | ||
#*If you are a contractor or work in construction, volunteer your manpower, supplies, and other resources towards rebuilding efforts. | #*If you are a contractor or work in construction, volunteer your manpower, supplies, and other resources towards rebuilding efforts. | ||
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#*If you are a business owner, especially in the area surrounding the flood, offer discounts or gratis goods/services to those affected by the flood. | #*If you are a business owner, especially in the area surrounding the flood, offer discounts or gratis goods/services to those affected by the flood. | ||
#Volunteer outside of the affected area. Even if you can’t be there on the ground, you can still make a big difference by volunteering. | #Volunteer outside of the affected area. Even if you can’t be there on the ground, you can still make a big difference by volunteering. | ||
| − | #*Get in touch with the local branch of the aid organization working with flood victims and see if they need help in their call center, hotline, or donation processing facility. <ref | + | #*Get in touch with the local branch of the aid organization working with flood victims and see if they need help in their call center, hotline, or donation processing facility. <ref name="rf3" /> |
#*You can also become a community liaison by collecting local donations and bringing them to the regional sorting facility. | #*You can also become a community liaison by collecting local donations and bringing them to the regional sorting facility. | ||
=== Offering Other Kinds of Support === | === Offering Other Kinds of Support === | ||
| − | #Offer shelter. If you live nearby the flood area and your house is intact, consider fostering a displaced family who may have lost their home and everything they own in the disaster.<ref | + | #Offer shelter. If you live nearby the flood area and your house is intact, consider fostering a displaced family who may have lost their home and everything they own in the disaster.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Offer spiritual support. Many people rely on their faith during times of crisis and draw emotional and spiritual strength from the support of church and religion. | #Offer spiritual support. Many people rely on their faith during times of crisis and draw emotional and spiritual strength from the support of church and religion. | ||
#*If you are part of a church or religious organization, encourage your leaders to reach out to flood victims with support as well as tangible aid. | #*If you are part of a church or religious organization, encourage your leaders to reach out to flood victims with support as well as tangible aid. | ||
| − | #*Some large religious organization, like the [http://billygraham.org/what-we-do/evangelism-outreach/rapid-response-team/about/ Billy Graham Rapid Response Team], send crisis-trained chaplains into areas impacted by natural disasters to coordinate relief efforts and provide further emotional and spiritual support for those affected.<ref | + | #*Some large religious organization, like the [http://billygraham.org/what-we-do/evangelism-outreach/rapid-response-team/about/ Billy Graham Rapid Response Team], send crisis-trained chaplains into areas impacted by natural disasters to coordinate relief efforts and provide further emotional and spiritual support for those affected.<ref name="rf3" /> |
| − | #* If you are a spiritual person, pray for the flood victims and/or reflect for a moment on the situation. Open your heart to ways you can help, and be a comfort to those in need.<ref | + | #* If you are a spiritual person, pray for the flood victims and/or reflect for a moment on the situation. Open your heart to ways you can help, and be a comfort to those in need.<ref name="rf4" /> |
| − | #Offer emotional support. In additional to other forms of help, you can make some basic, caring gestures towards those in need.<ref>http://www.calgarycounselling.com/%3Fp%3D2868</ref> | + | #Offer emotional support. In additional to other forms of help, you can make some basic, caring gestures towards those in need.<ref name="rf8">http://www.calgarycounselling.com/%3Fp%3D2868</ref> |
#*Ask how you can be most helpful to those affected by the flood. They might need a hot, home cooked meal, help taking care of their pets, or photographing flood damage for insurance claims. | #*Ask how you can be most helpful to those affected by the flood. They might need a hot, home cooked meal, help taking care of their pets, or photographing flood damage for insurance claims. | ||
#*Be a good listener and remember that sometimes its best to just listen and not offer your own opinions or solutions without being asked for them. | #*Be a good listener and remember that sometimes its best to just listen and not offer your own opinions or solutions without being asked for them. | ||
