Celebrities pitch in to help storm victims.
Volunteers jump in to aid their neighbors
A group of wet and weary men stood in the back of a dump truck heading down Richmond Avenue Monday. The only item with them in the back of the truck was a ladder, which they’d been using to help stranded Houstonians get from the second floors of flooded buildings to safety.
The worst of Mother Nature can draw out the best in human nature, and Houston has seen several examples of human compassion and empathy since Hurricane Harvey began tormenting the Texas Gulf Coast region on Friday. But after nearly two days of aid,
rescuers were taxed, reminded that even adrenaline-fueled action has its limits.
Given that fact, it’s a nice coincidence that people across the country are asking what they can to do assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Those in Houston fortunate enough to have thus far dodged catastrophic damage to their homes are also wondering what they can do to help their neighbors.
Unfortunately, this storm isn’t done, which makes a simple question — “How can I help?” — a more complicated one, as resources will continue to be dispatched in rescue efforts further into this week. The hard assessment of this storm’s cost to all the communities that fell within its path could take weeks or months to determine, and years of recovery.
Relief efforts have come in all forms so far, from the established institutional organizations like the hardworking first responders in the city to less formal groups like the Cajun Navy, a group of several dozen Louisiana boaters who loaded up their vessels and drove hours to assist those who share a border with a body of water that can be volatile.
Airbnb has an “Urgent Accommodations” page with two links — “I need a place to stay” and “I can offer my space for free” — to help those displaced by the storm find shelter.
Individuals with resources, from Texans football star J.J. Watt to Houston-loving rapper Drake also have announced fundraising efforts.
On a bigger scale, the American Red Cross is the best known organization doing its work during difficult times. After it activated for Harvey, the Red Cross said it had shelter supplies to accommodate nearly 30,000 people, with enough for an additional 22,000 headed to this region.
The organization has also ramped up its programs seeking donations and volunteers, particularly social workers and nurses at the George R. Brown Convention Center, where it is assisting displaced people. The Red Cross also needs help sorting the enormous amount of donated goods it has received so far. The organization is encouraging people to donate money on its website (redcross.org) or to text 90999 to donate $10. The Red Cross is also seeking blood donations, as are the Texas-based Carter BloodCare and South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.
Global aid agency Americares deployed a team of relief workers to Texas on Friday. After spending several days in San Antonio, they arrived in Houston Monday morning, preparing to assist first responders and offer medical supplies for those in need.
“People are being evacuated on the rooftops or from boats. They’re not coming to shelters with what they need,” says Kate Dischino, the Connecticut-based organization’s director of emergency response. “They’re coming with wet T-shirts on their backs. They didn’t have time to grab their medication or their glasses. So we’re focused on providing critical medicine, like insulin. We want to make sure that patients are able to maintain their health.
“We know people want to give, and they want to give an array of things. And the people on the news say that people need clothes and shoes. But the best way to give at this moment is financial donations,” said Dischino.
Diapers sound great. And so does canned food. But Dischino says that by giving financial donations, not just to Americares, but to “a lot of reputable organizations out there,” the management teams are able to assess what’s most needed and distribute the funds as necessary.
At Americares, some funds raised will go to acquiring TDAP vaccines for first responders who come in contact with floodwater and debris that could result in injuries and illness. It could also go to insulin or shipments of bottled water. But Dischino says it’s important to allow the people who understand the supply chain to make those decisions.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has also started a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund through the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which offers information on various nonprofits and other organizations involved in relief efforts.
The United Way has a relief fund to help provide shelter and food, and the Salvation Army is also raising money to help feed victims of the storm as well as first responders. Longer-term recovery efforts will also take place once the storm has passed and recovery efforts have shifted toward rebuilding. Portlight, a nonprofit that specializes in assisting those with disabilities after natural disasters, has set up a hotline through its website, portlight.org, to help Hurricane Harvey victims.
Meanwhile, the crowd-funded site Global Giving is trying to reach a $2 million goal for relief efforts. The local Texas Diaper Bank is taking donations to assemble aid kits for families. The Coalition for the Homeless is trying to provide shelter and services for the homeless. Feeding Texas, the Houston Food Bank and Galveston Food Bank are just a few of those collecting food donations.
And it’s not just human needs on people’s minds. Animal shelters are also dealing with the aftermath of the storm, with lost and abandoned pets. The SPCA and Houston Human Society may be taking on more animals in the coming days.
There are ways to help, from afar or near, without driving through flooded streets with ladders and open hearts. Regardless of how you help, all is appreciated.