Relief groups are working to help communities devastated after Superstorm Sandy left millions without power and transportation in the eastern United States.
If you plan to help by giving to a non-profit organization, you should first verify the organization is legitimate. Guidestar and Charity Navigator are good ways to check that the organization you’re donating to is established and your funds will go where you intend.
If you’re interested in helping, several organizations are available:
American Red Cross is accepting financial donations to help provide emergency food and shelter. http://www.redcross.org/ You can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to help with disaster relief efforts. The donation is added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.
The storm also forced the cancellation of about 100 Red Cross blood drives. For more information about giving blood or platelets, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
The Salvation Army is also accepting donations to help them provide emergency shelter and food as well as support for volunteers. Clothing and furniture donations are not being accepted for hurricane relief. You can contribute money on a secure page on their website at https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/disaster. Donors may also contribute $10 by texting the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” The $10 is added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance.
The Humane Society of the United States is accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund at http://www.humanesociety.org/.
More ways to help:
Help children in need – Save the Children and World Vision are paying special attention to the needs of children affected by the storm.
Provide emergency supplies – AmeriCares, Direct Relief International and Feeding America are providing food, medical supplies and emergency kits for people in need.
Join in the cleanup – Team Rubicon has dispatched veteran field teams to start working right away, and Samaritan’s Purse is looking for volunteers to help rebuild after the storm passes.
