I’m not sure what Mother Nature is attempting to tell us with all these recent events, but…
In light of these natural disasters occurring all over the globe right now, I have decided to push back what I had planned for today and simply talk about where and how we can all be of help at this time.
If you are able to volunteer for any of a number of things like bringing in supplies, helping to staff shelters, nursing care at shelters, hospitals and senior living centers, and much more, check out the FEMA web site for links to these. Please don’t attempt to go without contacting one for the organizations listed, so that you can be fully aware of where and what is needed most, and how to get there with all the downed trees, power lines and flooding of roads. Thanks!
And don’t forget that you can donate blood to your local Red Cross and designate it to go to a hard hit area.
If you have the means to donate funds, that is what’s needed most and here are some links:
American Red Cross – which has deployed disaster responders and delivered donated blood to hard hit areas. I know there are people who won’t donate to the Red Cross due to whatever bad experience they had in years past, however, when hurricane Izzy hit my neighborhood on the Chesapeake, Red Cross came as far down the road as they could get with their truck every morning and evening with hot meals for us all, and blankets if we needed them.
Americares provides emergency medicines and medical supplies to disaster areas.
For St. John, in the US Virgin Islands, which was completely destroyed by Irma, click HERE. There are still many people trying to get off these islands at this point, but airports are closed. Ferry transportation is only just starting and is slow.
GlobalGiving’s Irma Relief Fund is accepting donations. It vets the local organizations it helps fund and is well-regarded by charity watchdogs. (GlobalGiving prioritizes local organizations over the long term, but often steers money toward larger entities like Save the Children or the International Medical Corps during the early days of disaster response.)
For the terrifying wildfires out west, use this link.
There are many ways to help. Both now and as the months go on. Remember that it will take weeks, months and in some cases years for some of the hard hit areas to recover and perhaps some never will. These people will need MUCH in the months ahead, so even if you cannot do anything right now, you can make a plan to send some of your tax refund to one of the organizations helping to rebuild.
The earthquake in Mexico and severe flooding in India will also tax major relief funds, so please keep in mind that we can donate to some funds in the future. And there is always the option of offering a prayer for those in need. All of us can do that, anytime, anywhere.
Below is a relaxation technique that we can do for ourselves to keep our spirits healthy and strong, and keep our minds free from worry.
Best of Health,
Kathi
