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How You Can Help the Victims of Hurricane Ian

by | Sep 29, 2022

How You Can Help the Victims of Hurricane Ian

Photo Credit: A man is evacuated by the United States Coast Guard after being found among the wreckage of homes on Fort Myers Beach on Thursday, Sep 29, 2022, which was mostly destroyed after Hurricane Ian made landfall overnight on Wednesday. [ DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Tampa Bay Times ]

In times of need, we need each other. Here’s how you can help.

Effects of Hurricane Ian

Yesterday, Florida’s southwest coast was hit with one of the most devastating hurricanes of the decade. Across the state, Floridians have felt the effects of the Category Four, almost Category Five, hurricane with flooding, heavy rain, and damaging storm surges. Hurricane Ian knocked out power for over one million residents with its 150 miles per hour winds and caused over two million residents to evacuate.

Our neighbors affected by this storm are in desperate need of water, food, and other necessary supplies. If you have the resources available to donate money or volunteer, here are some ways you can help those affected in Florida by Hurricane Ian!

Resources to Help Those Affected in Florida

American Red Cross

Red Cross has over 500 trained workers assisting with shelter and has sent several hundred pints of type O blood to relieve disaster damages. To donate money or your blood visit redcrossblood.org, call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767), or text IAN to 90999 to make a $10 donation

Florida Disaster Fund

This is Florida’s official private fund to relieve natural disaster damage. The money is donated towards various organizations and communities to aid in relief efforts. You can go to their website or text DISASTER to 20222 to donate.

Convoy of Hope

This nonprofit organization is providing groceries, meals, and water to those in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian. They’ve also sent meals and water to victims of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. To aid their efforts, donate here.

Disaster Relief at Work

Also known as DRAW, this nonprofit organization provides relief to communities that are affected by natural disasters in the United States. You can help by purchasing a bucket that will go to a survivor or you can donate, or if you’re local you can volunteer.

Volunteer Florida

If you live in the Florida area and you want to volunteer you can register with Volunteer Florida then sign up for volunteer opportunities that best suit your skillset. If you don’t have the time to volunteer or you are not in the area, then you can also donate to fund their volunteering efforts as well.

NAFC

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics provide healthcare to communities that can’t afford it. They offer disaster relief by distributing funding and donated supplies to the affected clinics and communities. To support NAFC’s disaster relief efforts you can visit their website to donate.

Save the Children

This organization is dedicated to helping children in the United States and around the world. They have been sending water, diapers, hygiene kits, and other needed supplies to those affected by Hurricane Ian. You can go to their dedicated page to donate.

Resources To Help Those Also Affected in Cuba

Direct Relief

Direct Relief has sent medical aid with their hurricane prep packs to Havana, Cuba as well Florida before Hurricane Ian made landfall. As the damage is still being assessed, Direct Relief is partnering with other disaster relief organizations to further provide assistance. To help their efforts, you can donate on their website.

The People’s Forum

This organization supports working class and marginalized communities in an educational and cultural space. To show solidarity, they are raising $10,000 to help disaster relief efforts in Cuba. To help them reach their goal, you can donate here.

Resources to Help Those Also Affected in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic

Project HOPE

Project HOPE has been sending emergency responders to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to provide medical supplies and basic care after the devastation of Hurricane Fiona. Since the landfall of Hurricane Ian, they have also sent emergency response teams to Florida. You can donate here.

Hispanic Federation

This nonprofit organization empowers and supports the Hispanic community in the United States in all areas of life. To aid those affected by Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico they have assent out emergency relief services and supplies. You can visit their Hurricane Fiona Response Page to donate.

United Nations World Food Programme

This worldwide program delivers food to families in need all around the globe. After the devastating impact of Hurricane Fiona, UNWFP has been sending emergency equipment and assistance to the Dominican Republic, along with their efforts to feed the hungry. To help their cause, donate here.

World Central Kitchen

WCK has partnered with The Starbucks Foundation to help provide fresh meals to the victims of Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Fiona. To donate, fill out their online form.

Resources To Verify Your Charities

Before donating, always make sure you verify your charities and donation centers so you know your money is going to the right cause. Below are some sources you can use to verify your charities.

Things to Keep in Mind

Before you help, be sure you’re helping correctly. If you choose to volunteer, do not self deploy. Check your vetted volunteer organization’s website or social media for volunteer posts and listings. To avoid scams, don’t interact with phishy emails that contain sketchy subject lines and links. Also be sure to verify phone numbers from callers that claim to be from a charity and always research calls to donate from social media posts.

Our community is who we are and we are so very grateful to have gotten through this storm with little to no damage. Our hearts and prayers are with those who have not been so fortunate. Every volunteer and every dollar donated helps! We are in this together!

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