Your Macerating Pump Specialists Share Info on How to Best Support Hurricane Victims
Raritan Engineering your macerating pump suppliers would like to share with you these topics we thought would be of interest to you this month regarding great ways to help storm victims.
The Coast Guard is discouraging private boaters departing the continental United States from transiting to ports affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Uncoordinated volunteer efforts can hinder the response and impede a challenging logistics situation on the ground in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Individuals entering unfamiliar ports or attempting to bring supplies without coordinating through volunteer organizations that are working with FEMA and its partners are putting themselves in danger.”
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance and two other watchdogs, Charity Navigator and CharityWatch, have released lists of more than a dozen highly rated groups in a position to help.
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Another organization, which has an A- rating by CharityWatch, is Team Rubicon, which brings together the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders to deploy emergency response teams.
Although the watchdogs haven’t listed local groups in Florida responding to Hurricane Irma, two that have been highly rated by the watchdogs are All Faiths Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, which are collecting and donating food to those in need. Another group—Heart of Florida United Way—is providing shelter and basic needs for those affected by the storm.
Check the charity watchdog websites to find charities you want to consider. The lists are likely to be updated in the days to come.
“If you want to give with confidence, then the best thing to do is to give to established charities that meet standards,” Weiner says.
Donate Intelligently
If you plan to make a donation, keep these tips in mind:
Watch for fraud. Beware of emails and postings on social media by groups and individuals you haven’t heard of before who say they are collecting money for victims.
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Your Macerating Pump Distributors Continue Talking About How to Help Others in Their Time of Need
Think twice about crowdfunding. If you’re considering donating to individual campaigns through a crowdfunding platform such as GoFundMe or YouCaring, keep in mind that it’s difficult to tell whether an appeal is legitimate and whether your donations will be used for the stated purpose.
Send money. Though victims will need food, clothing, and other supplies, right now moving such items will create logistical challenges that can cause big delays.
Research other nonprofits. If you’re considering donating to a group not specifically recommended by a charity watchdog, check it out thoroughly before giving.
Consider future gifts. Although immediate donations are needed to assist in the emergency, the effects of the recent hurricanes are likely to be felt for months and years to come, Weiner says.
Get More Actively Involved
In addition to donating money, you can take an active role in giving assistance as well. Here are a few ways:
Consider volunteering. Many charities, including human service organizations and animal-welfare charities, are looking for volunteers. For the American Red Cross, you can sign up on the organization’s website.
Open your home. You can offer to provide free accommodations to hurricane evacuees through Airbnb. The service is waiving all fees until Sept. 25.
Donate blood. Blood banks have been urging people to donate because demand for blood can rise, especially as patients are evacuated from hospitals.
Adopt a pet. If you’re thinking about adopting a dog or a cat, for example, this could be a good time. Animal welfare organizations in Texas, Florida, and around the country are likely to take in pets that have lost their owners.
Hurricane Harvey: How to help victims of the Texas storm
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey’s massive flooding in Texas, victims are in need of relief and aid. Here are the organizations that are helping:
Local organizations
Where to donate:
Harris County Donation Hotline: 1-800-924-5985. Available 6 a.m. to midnight.
George R. Brown Convention Center, NRG Center, Toyota Center and BBVA Compass Stadium are no longer accepting donations from the public. The GRB Center is accepting corporate donations and is in serious need of the following supplies: bleach, buckets, containers to carry supplies, lip balm, Vaseline, work gloves, insect repellent, dusk masks, rakes, shovels, duct tape, tarps, trash bags, sunscreen.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund: Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has set up this fund for tax-deductible flood relief monetary donations. It will be administered by the nonprofit Greater Houston Community Foundation.
Houston Food Bank helps provide meals for hungry neighbors in emergencies and all year round.
Houston Furniture Bank provides furniture in need and is launching a special effort to help Harvey victims. They are accepting donations of furniture, especially mattresses, tables and chairs, call ahead before making a drop-off donation, at (713) 842-9771.
United Way of Greater Houston has set up a relief fund that people can donate to. The organization said its first priority is shelter and basic needs like food. The organization said it will also focus on long-term recovery efforts. It also said that it will absorb administrative costs, so 100 percent of every donation goes directly to relief.
Houston Children’s Charity is teaming up with the Astros shortstop Carlos Correa to raise $500,000 to provide displaced children with beds.
BARC Animal Shelter is taking donations — the shelter is closed for Labor Day and will resume regular operations Tuesday, Sept. 5.
So don’t forget these great reminders on how you can help hurricane victims. 1) Uncoordinated volunteer efforts can hinder the response and impede a challenging logistics situation on the ground in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Island; 2) donate to charity; and 3) get more involved.
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via The Best Ways to Help in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
via Hurricane Harvey: How to help victims of the Texas storm