From News Nation:
“How to help people impacted
by Hurricane Ian”
Rescue efforts are underway as
Florida deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Ian continued to pummel
through inland Florida Thursday morning as a Tropical Storm and is expected to
regain near-hurricane strength after emerging over Atlantic waters near the
Kennedy Space Center later in the day. Ian hit landfall Wednesday afternoon as
a Category 4 hurricane on the southwest coast near the heavily populated Fort Myers
area. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking at a press conference, said the state
will be going through a rough patch. “We understand that a storm of this
magnitude is going to require an effort over an extended period of time,” he
said. “We’re going to step up, we’re going to be there for folks. We’re going
to make sure folks get back on their feet and southwest Florida comes back
better than ever.” DeSantis noted that it’s more helpful for people to donate
financially than send items.
Those who want to come to Florida
to volunteer can sign up through an official portal:
Here are organizations planning
to help with Hurricane Ian response and recovery efforts. This list will be
updated as additional resources become available.
THE FLORIDA DISASTER FUND Florida
First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the activation of the fund on Wednesday.
The Florida Disaster Fund helps Florida communities recover after disasters
or emergencies. The fund is the state’s official private fund for both response
and recovery efforts. Officials say donations to the fund are
distributed to different service organizations in the state. Donations to the
Florida Disaster Fund can be made by following this link. Checks can be made
out to “Volunteer Florida Foundation” and include “Florida Disaster Fund” in
the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Volunteer Florida Foundation at 1545
Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Another option for
giving is by texting DISASTER to 20222. “The Governor and I are thankful
for the graciousness of those looking to assist Florida’s communities in their
time of need,” Casey DeSantis said in a statement. “I am pleased to announce
that Volunteer Florida has activated the Florida Disaster Fund so that people
can donate directly to those affected by Hurricane Ian. We greatly appreciate
the kindness and generosity of organizations and individuals from across the
country looking to support Floridians, thank you.”
https://www.volunteerflorida.org/
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS The American Red Cross is asking people to help with Hurricane Ian response efforts in two ways: through monetary donations and by giving blood. Or call 800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. People wanting to help others specifically impacted by Hurricane Ian are asked to write “Hurricane Ian” in the memo line of a check and mail it to a local Red Cross chapter with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. The Red Cross says it is sending hundreds of Type O blood products to Florida to make sure that blood remains available for patients who may be impacted by Ian. Type O positive is the most transfused blood type. Type O negative can be transfused to patients of any other blood type and is often in short supply. “Blood can take up to three days to be tested, processed and made available for patients, so it’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency,” the Red Cross said. The Red Cross does not usually service Florida hospitals, but it is working as a member of the AABB Task Force for Disaster Response, which offers help to impacted blood centers. The organization says it stands ready to aid other blood banks or hospitals in need. Those interested in giving blood are asked to schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
SALVATION ARMY The
Salvation Army has 7,600 operation centers across the country. One incident command team is in Lakeland
County and plans to serve the area for two weeks. If necessary, a second wave
of disaster workers will be sent to relieve them. Along with the crew in
Lakeland County, the Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services says it has all
of its commands on the west coast of Florida ready to respond after Ian passes
through. Officials say the best way to help the Salvation Army is by
making a financial contribution by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or
by following this link.
https://give.salvationarmyflorida.org/give/179306/#!/donation/checkout
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA For the safety of its staff and volunteers,
the Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County’s office will be closed through
at least Thursday due to the hurricane. The organization is asking for
donations to help the community. Find ways to donate at this link.
https://habitathillsborough.salsalabs.org/disasterrecovery/index.html
CONVOY OF HOPE Although
they are based in Springfield, Missouri, Convoy of Hope is planning on sending
relief to those in Florida, KOLR reported, as they did for Hurricane Fiona. As
of Wednesday morning, the organization posted that it will deploy a relief team
to Florida later in the day. “Volunteers have packed thousands of pounds
of relief supplies ahead of time, making a quick departure possible. Once teams
are en route, they will pre-position themselves in a safe zone outside the
storm’s path and wait until it is safe to proceed,” Convoy of Hope said. “Once
the storm has passed, they will immediately move in and begin assisting
survivors.” To donate, you can go to their website.
https://convoyofhope.org/donate/
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF
NORTHWEST FLORIDA The Community Foundation is focusing both on helping
people in the immediate aftermath of the storm, and also with long-term
recovery. “Devastation of this level can take years to recover from,
particularly in rural communities with limited nonprofit and philanthropic
infrastructure. The CFNWF will partner with the appropriate organizations to
support this effort,” the Community Foundation of Northwest Florida said online. To donate to the Community Foundation of
Northwest Florida’s Disaster Relief Fund, you can send a check to 17 W. Cedar
St., Suite 2, Pensacola, FL 32502, and designate it for the Disaster Relief
Fund. People can also donate online.
https://cfnwf.org/hurricane-relief/#next-section
SAVE THE CHILDREN Save the
Children has helped kids during emergencies such as hurricanes Irma and Michael
by getting supplies such as diapers, wipes, cribs, strollers and more to
parents after these natural disasters. They also set up safe play areas in
evacuation shelters. For
Hurricane Ian, Save the Children plans to deliver “child-focused” items to
those who need them in Florida, and is also coordinating with national, state
and education partners. To assist in their efforts, people can donate to the
Children’s Emergency Fund.
https://support.savethechildren.org/site/Donation2?df_id=4488&mfc_pref=T&4488.donation=form1
PROJECT HOPE Project HOPE,
according to Charity Navigator, is a global health and humanitarian relief
organization. It works with health care workers and communities to address
public health challenges, and stays in communities even after the disaster to
help find solutions to health needs. Currently, it is mobilizing to help
people affected by Hurricane Ian, as well as Hurricane Fiona. People can donate
on their website.
https://www.projecthope.org/disaster-emergency-crisis-response/
MERCY CHEFS During natural
disasters and national emergencies, professional chefs with the organization
prepare “high-quality, hot meals on a mass scale for victims,” its website
says. Mercy Chefs can typically feed up to 15,000 meals a day if needed, but
for Hurricane Ian, they are upping that to 30,000 meals — the group’s biggest
goal yet “This is one of the
worst hurricanes ever to make landfall in the United States, and we are
prepared now more than ever to do all that we can to serve hope in the form of
a meal,” Mercy Chefs said on its website. To donate, click on this link.
https://mercychefs.com/hurricane-ian/
^ These are some of the ways
Americans can help those affected by Hurricane Ian. ^
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