Jocelyn_P

http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html

ncgrrl

Today's paper had a list of organizations FEMA recognizes

*American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or online at http://www.redcross.org/
*Catholic Charities, USA, Call 1-800-919-9338, or online at http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
* Salvation Army, Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or online at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
*United Methodist Committee on Relief, Call 1-800-554-8583, or online at http://gbgm-umc.org/
For a complete list of charitable agencies recommended by FEMA, visit http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm


If anyone in an affected area knows of specific local agencies, please let us know. When Floyd came through in 1999, money was the most requested item, but cleaning supplies and baby stuff were also requested.

Jayne11159

So right ncgrrl. Here's a post I just made on the "hurricane's oh my thread":

One thing I distinctly remember about Hurricane Andrew was that the Red Cross got SO MANY donations that they were having to bury clothes etc. in landfills because they couldn't handle it. Please call to see what they really need before inundating them with good intentions. They can only use so many socks, shirts etc., but almost everyone needs food, batteries, flashlights, heavy duty tools etc. We all learned a lot from Andrew in that regardd. Please call the Red Cross before delivering things they don't need and plowing them under. For example, our Red Cross asked us not to bring water--for today, they have plenty, but that could change tomorrow. That's why it's important to remember that this isn't going to be over for them in a day or two. It will take many more days to get the relief operation completely under control. We're taking over the things we didn't end up needing--batteries, flashlights, pnut butter, bread etc. The group that went over yesterday went after being called by the Red Cross. Everyone wants to help-naturally, but just don't get in the way. Traffic is flowing very well and there are contractors, handymen etc. just loading up and going through neighborhoods temporarility securing roofs for free. Only the heartless would try to charge these people at this point. There are also many areas hard hit that aren't getting as much press, so keep that in mind as well.

Scarlett

Thank you Jocelyn and keeping this at the TOP

cigalechanta

I agree, Jocelyn, I remember one other hurricane years ago when people were donating stupid things, like gold leather shoes, and other horrid things they were getting rid of. These are people in need for PRACTICAL things.

ccolor

Absolutely check with agencies first - after 9-11 so much blood had been immediately donated that it had lost it's "shelf-life" by the time it was needed. Florida will need help for quite a while, so plan your donations and be used effectively. God bless you all that will help.

Scarlett

As it was in NYC in 2001, after a while, they only needed money.
I usually send checks right away to the Red Cross.
You are all so good hearted!

cigalechanta

about giving blood , what you should know:
You should not give blood if you have:

had a tattoo within the last 12 months
ever had Creuzfeldt-Jakob Disease, or if any blood relative (parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or child) has or has had it, or been told that your family is at risk for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
ever received a dura mater (or brain covering) transplant during head or brain surgery
received an injection since 1980 of bovine (beef) insulin made from cattle in the United Kingdom
had hepatitis on or after the age of 11
had malaria in the past 3 years
Since 1980, live in the United Kingdom for a total time that adds up to 3 months, or live in Europe for a total time that adds up to 6 months
been held in a correctional facility (including jail, prison, or detention center) for more than 72 straight hours in the last 12 months
had or been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea or tested positive for syphilis in the last 12 months
been raped in the last 12 months
taken (snorted) cocaine or any other street drug through your nose in the last 12 months
AIDS or one of its symptoms, including ?
unexplained weight loss (10 pounds or more in less than 2 months)
night sweats
blue or purple spots on or under the skin
long-lasting white spots or unusual sores in your mouth
lumps in your neck, armpits, or groin, lasting longer than one month
diarrhea lasting longer than one month
persistent cough and shortness of breath, or
fever higher than 99?F lasting more than 10 days
done something that puts you at risk for becoming infected with HIV, the virus that cause AIDS.
You are at risk for getting infected if you have:

taken illegal or non-prescription drugs by needle, even once
taken clotting factor concentrates for a bleeding disorder such as hemophilia
tested positive for any AIDS virus
been given money or drugs for sex, since 1977
had a sexual partner who puts you at risk for AIDS infection. This means:
you have had sex in the last 12 months with someone who is at risk for being infected with the AIDS virus (described above)
if you are a male, had sex even once with another male since 1977; or within the last 12 months, given a female money or drugs to have sex with you, or
if you are a female, within the last 12 months, given anyone money or drugs to have sex with you; or had a male sex partner who had sex with another male even once since 1977
been born in, or lived in, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Niger, or Nigeria since 1977.
since 1977, received a blood transfusion or medical treatment with a blood product in any of these countries, or
had sex with anyone who, since 1977, was born in or lived in any of these countries.
Tell the interviewer
You should tell the interviewer if you:

aren't feeling well
are running a fever
have traveled to Cancun, Cozumel, or any other areas in Mexico, or taken a Caribbean cruise in the past 12 months.
Amazing amount of things, I knew knew!!

cigalechanta

OHHHH! That's not what I meant to say.
It's the amazing thimgs I don't know!!!!!

hampsterbrain

Thanks Jocelyn-
I just made a donation to the Red Cross. It took less than a minute to donate online.

pilgrim

When Hurricane Floyd hit us in NC, the Salvation Army went to many of the smaller towns and offered food and assistance before the Red Cross could fan out. They have my endless gratitude and support.

Jocelyn_P

topping

soccr

Thanks, Jocelyn.

Now that the media have put the whole story on the back burner, people may forget that for the Floridians, NOW is by far the worst time. And the charities have had their resources severely tested in recent months, years.

From those of us in North Carolina who remember Hurricane Fran and the Great Ice Storm: what goes around, comes around. We're grateful for the help we got, happy to help when someone else needs it.

Dick

Has the Red Cross confirmed that allof the moneyt collected will go to thoser affected by Hurricane Charley?

I know in the past, they collected for major trajedies, but than save most of the funds collected foor future use.

That is why after 9/11, I donated to several groups, but not to the Red Cross...for just that reason.

ellen_griswold

You also might contact churches in the communities affected. I'm sure they're already orgainized and providing hands-on care to the victims.

soccr

That's not a good reason not to donate. They do have a reserve fund, and darn good thing given how often the calamities pile up. If you had been in charge at 9/11, seen how costly THAT was and knew that the probabilities are that attacks will happen again, as will tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, etc., wouldn't you have a reserve fund? You notice they are always there in force and they DO help all they can, in so many places. No one does what they do better.

But give to any of the recognized charities. Just give.

Litespeed_Chick

Yes, there was quite a scandal after 9/11 as I recall. I can't really remember the details, though.

soccr

The scandal had to do with the management style of the then-president (who has since stepped down). Among other things, many felt that the accounting and reporting of the actual amount used in active disaster relief versus the amount funneled into reserves was obscured, and there was a sense of deception. Others noted the increasing burden on the Red Cross as government support and other charitable arrangements (United Way) for emergencies became problematic or nonexistent.

You can go to http://www.redcross.org/pubs/#report for their more recent comments about infrastructure and financial planning. But please don't buy into a 3-year old sensationalized scandal to dismiss an essential organization that has probably helped someone you know -- even if it was just for a blood transfusion for surgery.

GoTravel

Dick, the Red Cross was going to hold back money after 9/11 but due to public outcry, did not and the CEO of the Red Cross resigned.

The Red Cross helps millions of people a year. Please give.

To the top.

Dick

Soccr,

Absolutely, people chous donate.

They should just realize that their donation to the Red Cross may go into a general disaster relief fund and may not be used for the hurrican victims.

I checked the donation link...and nothing is said about what percentage of the money given goes to the Hurrricna Charly disaster.

There are other groups( local charities or religious groups) that will use all of the net collections on the people in Florida.

After 9/11, the State of New York even set up a fund with the committment that all of the money woudl go to 9/11 victims.

Please note, I am not against donating to the Red Cross..I jsut think the public should be aware of how their money will be used.