How to help victims of Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey is the worst Texas storm in more than 50 years, and the final toll of the damage is not yet known.
Oklahoma organizations providing relief
• Twin Peaks will host a fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Harvey at its Mega Car Meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, 6500 SW 3. Twin Peaks also will be collecting items at “Car & Coffee” from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday on the south end of the parking lot at Northpark Mall. Items should include water, baby items, toiletries, pillows, blankets, work gloves, towels, kids’ toys, toilet paper, tarps, dog food and cleaning supplies. For more information, call 3845791.
Texas organizations providing relief
General aid
• Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund is an initiative of Houston’s mayor, administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. To donate, visit: https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief
• United Way of Greater Houston — To give to the United Way Flood Relief Fund, visit unitedwayhouston.org/flood or text UWFLOOD to 41444.
Food
• For a full list of food Texas food banks in hurricane-affected areas, visit NewsOK.com
Help for people who are disabled, and babies
• Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies: 800-626-4959
• Texas Diaper Bank — Provides diapers to individuals with incontinence and for children: www.texasdiaperbank.org
Pets
• Humane Society of the United States: 866720-2676
• Houston Humane Society: www.houstonhumane.org
• San Antonio Humane Society: sahumane.org
Shelter
• Habitat for Humanity: Call 1-800-HABITAT (800-422-4828) or 1-229-924-6935 to inquire about a specific donation by phone.
National organizations providing disaster relief
• The Salvation Army’s disaster relief program: To donate online: www.helpsalvationarmy.org; by mail: The Salvation Army, PO Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301. Designate “Hurricane Harvey” on all checks; by phone: 800-SALARMY (2769); by text: text STORM to 51555 to receive a donation link for easy mobile giving.
• American Red Cross — To donate by phone or to get assistance with your donation, please contact us at 800-HELP NOW (7669). You also can text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.
• Catholic Relief Service: www.crs.org or 888-277-7575
• Direct Relief & Direct Relief Foundation — A medical charity equipping Texas clinics: www.directrelief.org or 805-964-4767
•For more vetted national relief organizations, visit www. charitywatch.org or Newsok.com.
To volunteer
The Oklahoma Emergency Management Department is urging Oklahomans not to go to the areas affected by Harvey without being a part of an organized effort.
Those who wish to volunteer should visit the Texas and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) for a list of dozens of faith-based, community, nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations in need of volunteers.
Go to txvoad.communityos.org and click on the “Membership” tab or go to www.nvoad.org and click on “Hurricane Harvey Response.”