I'm considering sending some $ to help the tornado victims. Anyone have experience (yourself, family or friends?) with tornado devastation that was helped by a particular organization? CNN has a page with several, including the Red Cross, but I'd like some opinions from people who have been there.
I spent some time online and found this organization: http://teamrubiconusa.org/. It pairs veterans with medical staff for immediate crisis response. What a great idea! My husband and I made an online donation.
Keep the responses coming -- love to hear what others choose to do.
I would go through the red cross and get a list and address and buy those things rather then money. No experience, just saying. I think it is neat you want to do this. It is inspiring me too do so too.
Instead of sending money - which sometimes gets put in the wrong hands - send items - after hurricane Katrina - we sent blankets, sheets, baby wipes, soap, bleach, paper plates, etc. Who did we sent it to? We took it all to our local Red Cross center that was collecting stuff and heading down on a bus with volunteers. I knew a couple of the volunteers so I KNOW my donations went to the victims.
Find out if your local Red Cross or FEMA, etc is offering to drive volunteers there to help out and if they are collecting stuff to take.
Money is probably the best way. However, make sure to pick an organization that you can specify where your money is used. Sometimes you think the money is being used for natural disaster, but it could be used for house fires, etc.
So If you want it to go specifically to natural disasters and/or tornado victims you want to find an organization that let's you specify.
After Katrina I found places of worship and the Salvation Army the best resources for help. What we needed was food first and foremost, and it was the soup kitchens that saved up. I never could find out where to go for Red Cross help. I'm not saying they're a bad organization, just that I didn't know where to go. I've made donations to the Red Cross since then though cuz I know they do a lot of good. I love who you donated to. My husband was a Seabee and I love the idea of vets helping even after they get out of teh service.
Be sure to check out if there are blood drives going on, in disaster areas blood runs short in hospitals and they have to send out all over the place for more... and either they can't get more... or places thousands of miles away end up short from sending blood on the quick.
Red Cross. Yes, your money may instead go to some other disaster, but the more money they have, the more they can help.
Red Cross Donation Centers (they usually ask for specific goods)
Catholic Community Services (they help everyone regardless of religion) and will be helping people who've lost everything for months and years. Medical, childcare, food, emergency money, clothing, counseling (not via the church, but via psychologists, psychiatrists, grief counselors), housing, etc.
Jewish Community Services (ditto... it's a mitzvah)
It is always the red cross and salvation army. Other places like Home Depot join in but they use their own money. Then there are local organizations but again they use their own money.
I live just over an hour from the Indiana tornado path. The local (and very major) tv stations are teaming up with the local hospitals and grocery stores and are taking donations via phone and website. One is www.wthr.com They are pooling the money they raise to the Indiana Red Cross.
This is from their website: "People can help those affected by disasters like the Midwest tornadoes and storms, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Consider making a donation today by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation."
I think the IMMEDIATE need is money. Then it will be supplementing them with items that insurance (if they have it) doesn't cover and all the misc. items up front that they have to pay for.
My heart breaks for these people. It doesn't help that it snowed a few inches last night and everything is covered in cold and wet.
I'd pick the Salvation Army for $ donations - just don't fully trust the other one after all that came out back when!
A local food market is collecting things here to take -- check and see if any local churches or such are doing the same in your area!
We trust World Vision and send donations through them. http://www.worldvision.org/news/deadly-tornadoes-strike-a...
Thankfully, we have not had to use that kind of help although we get occasional tornadoes through here.
