Helping the hurricane victims

[Two Bit]

Some of you are probably wondering if there is a way you (or you and your RV) could help the hurricane victims.
Please DO NOT "self dispatch" or "self deploy" yourself or your equipment to the disaster. Volunteers that show up unannounced at disasters cause much confusion and logistics problems. If you want to help or donate yourself or supplies, the best thing is to contact those coordinating the relief efforts and ask how and where you can help.
One way is at this websight
http://www.redcross.org/
other contacts are Salvation Army, Church Relief, State EOC's.

Again, dont just show up unannounced.

[Two Bit]

Some of you are probably wondering if there is a way you (or you and your RV) could help the hurricane victims.
Please DO NOT "self dispatch" or "self deploy" yourself or your equipment to the disaster. Volunteers that show up unannounced at disasters cause much confusion and logistics problems. If you want to help or donate yourself or supplies, the best thing is to contact those coordinating the relief efforts and ask how and where you can help.
One way is at this websight
http://www.redcross.org/
other contacts are Salvation Army, Church Relief, State EOC's.

Again, dont just show up unannounced.

[aa6vh]

Another thing to watch out for: Disasters like Katrina seem to bring out the low-lifes. Be sure to check out anyone who solicits money to help the victims of Katrina. Some of these outfits that collect money for the victims end up keeping 70-90% (or more) of the funds for "Administrative" reasons.

I will only donate to outfits that I know beforehand will give most of the money where it counts.

Also, clothing and food is not usually a good thing to donate, due to logistical problems in getting them to the actual victims. Usually money is what is needed.

Dave

As a company that works indirectly for FEMA during disasters like this I can tell you that for the people of Louisiana especially the very low lying areas where the water will have to be pumped back out to the gulf it will be a month or so befor normal emergency housing can be brought down directly into that area. There is plans to bring housing in and place it in the non-flooded areas. This will more than likely start as soon as the assesments teams have completed there initial searches and safety issues and the housing sites are secured.

......This will be the IRS year for receipts for "cash" donations to various organizations....make sure you have a copy of their 501-2-3 status before you open your wallet...you might get a suprise after April 15 concerning your deductions....geofkaye

[Skip298]

The television news has reported basically the same thing as far as donations and assistnce goes..they also advised that the US gov't had not officially asked for any kind of assistance as of yet( I think there must be a protocol of some kind?)...they also said that,, the Canadian Red Cross has been unable to keep up with all the calls from Canadians wanting to donate money for the victims...we are all be willing to help...