| In times of crisis, Americans across the country | | | | that will use the money for the purpose for which |
| have an immediate reaction of wanting to give | | | | you are donating. The most recognized group is |
| and wanting to help. This is a very good thing, and | | | | the American Red Cross (and by the way, it's |
| it's one of the things that make this country | | | | always good to donate blood). To check the |
| great. When the Haiti earthquake hit and when | | | | legitimacy of others take a look at or These sites |
| the Chilean earthquake followed, people | | | | can tell you who's for real and how each |
| everywhere were organizing drives of various | | | | organization will spend your money. |
| types to get some sort of relief on its way. | | | | Volunteers |
| Like with many good ideas though, a little polishing | | | | Neighbor helping neighbor is one of our highest |
| can make a good idea great. | | | | civic duties. Nothing beats having an extra set of |
| Let's look at just a few considerations that can | | | | eyes, hands, or shoulders when it comes time for |
| make your donation during a disaster a win / win | | | | disaster recovery. Like goods above though, |
| for everyone involved. Let's look at the best | | | | there are certain ways to offer your volunteer |
| ways for you to G.I.V.E.: | | | | services. |
| Goods - Donations of clothing and other items are | | | | First, don't rush to the scene of an active disaster |
| good if done in the right way. | | | | unless you're a part of local emergency |
| Income - Sharing your cash is the most efficient | | | | management. People who show up at incidents |
| way to help, but there are things you should | | | | are called "Convergent Volunteers" and if there |
| know. | | | | are too many, they can actually get in the way |
| Volunteers - Some disasters could use some | | | | of the emergency response. This became |
| helping hands on the ground, but others don't. | | | | something of a problem in Haiti because the |
| Expertise - In some cases you can help victims | | | | airport could handle only so much incoming traffic, |
| get certain areas of their life back on track. | | | | and local officials could process only so many |
| Goods | | | | incoming foreign nationals. |
| This is the most common form of donation, | | | | If you're part of an organized group such as |
| especially when a local catastrophe occurs. If | | | | CERT, which is a great thing, please wait until your |
| someone's house burns down and the family loses | | | | group is activated or called up. |
| everything, neighbors are usually quick to | | | | Expertise |
| contribute clothes, household goods, etc. to help | | | | The concept of volunteers above conjures up |
| the family get back on their feet. | | | | mental images of people making sandbag walls to |
| The more local the disaster, the more useful is | | | | protect from floods, cleaning up debris, setting up |
| the donation of goods. However, for large-scale | | | | food lines, and other physical services. After a |
| incidents or disasters farther away, the donation | | | | major disaster though, the needs of the victims |
| of tangible items becomes less of a good idea. | | | | fall into numerous categories, only a few of which |
| This is because physical items require sorting, | | | | would benefit from physical help. |
| shipping, storage, distribution, warehousing, etc. So, | | | | For example, during any post-event recovery |
| by the time you send that old pair of jeans half a | | | | phase, victims will need assistance with insurance, |
| continent away, they eventually wind up costing | | | | taxes, unemployment issues, government grant |
| more than a brand new pair. | | | | applications, and with all phases of dealing with the |
| The best way to donate physical goods is through | | | | legalities involved with injured or deceased loved |
| local organizations that are set up to handle them | | | | ones. If you deal with any of these things in your |
| and who will either use them for local disasters or | | | | professional life, you'll be highly valued as a |
| who can sell the goods to raise money to be | | | | volunteer. |
| used in other ways to help. Good examples of | | | | The same rules apply though. Offer your |
| places to donate include faith based organizations, | | | | assistance to local authorities and wait to be called |
| Good Will, and the Salvation Army. | | | | up. |
| Income | | | | Though we've thrown in several "don'ts" in our |
| When it comes to disaster relief, cash is king. With | | | | short discussion, please don't think that your help |
| cash, relief organizations can pinpoint exactly the | | | | is not needed. It is needed, especially in these |
| type and amount of items they need for a | | | | economic times when simple disasters can hit our |
| particular disaster and purchase accordingly. Money | | | | friends and neighbors harder than usual and when |
| can be used to supply a variety of aid including | | | | first responders and emergency management |
| water, food, and medicine, and is not limited to | | | | groups are under the same financial issues the |
| the items we usually see donated. | | | | rest of us are. |
| One caveat though, is the fact that after any | | | | The next thing to do is look at the hundreds of |
| major disaster the scammers come out of the | | | | other ways you can protect your family and |
| wood work trying to rip off good hearted donors. | | | | contribute to your community in times of crisis. |
| If you follow a few safety precautions you can | | | | Read more of our how-to articles on our |
| be sure your money is getting to the right folks. | | | | "Disaster Prep 101" book site. |
| First, only donate to a recognized charity and one | | | | |