I have been stunned watching coverage of our devastated South, and this morning switched from feeling hopeless about the situation to trying to figure out how I can help victims of Hurricane Katrina. Here's what I have come up with:
- Donate. Network for Good has a wonderful resource page comprised of charities that are mobilized to help hurricane efforts. It has explanations of the charities, advice for how to give during a disaster, and links for other ways you can help. Personally, I will be donating to Second Harvest to support their efforts to bring food to hurricane victims.
- Volunteer. The Red Cross is sending volunteers to the South. "Volunteers won't have to slog through waist-high water or fend off water moccasins ... but they will have to cope with human psychology. 'It's mostly dealing with people's issues as they settle in,' Smith said. 'And when you have hundreds of people under the same roof, you're going to have issues.' The organization is also dispensing with its minimum three-week commitment and asking for only a week if that's all someone can spare."
- Read. There are many ways that the online community is helping with communication efforts, trying to find people, and generally supporting hurricane victims. I can't help but think that by supporting these communities and reading through postings, we may each find a way to help.
Craigslist New Orleans
Craigslist Jackson
Hurricane Katrina Help Wiki
