Do Good Well – How to Help When Disaster Strikes

Do Good Well. It’s what I tried to say when I wrote this post. All credit to Tom Berlin for the phrase Do Good Well.

I wrote about ways to help but more importantly, how not to help disaster relief efforts like Hurricane Harvey. The piece included lessons learned from people who lived through a natural disaster and volunteers who helped victims to rebuild. It’s relevant to all disasters including those affected by flooding and Hurricane Florence.

My post was not perfect. You may disagree. That’s ok. But I hope you’ll take time to read this post from a Houston resident.  Or this one or this one or this one.

My goals were simple….1) increase awareness about how relief efforts work and 2)steer caring people to the best ways to help.

Timing Is Everything

The message to “send money, not stuff” resonated with many readers. It doesn’t mean there will never be a time or place for physical donations — check with relief agencies as time passes.  Experts in the field routinely suggest holding off on material donations.

Donating food, clothing and household items can complicate and even hinder relief efforts. The U.S. Center for Disaster Information says unsolicited goods are “never required in early stages of response, and they compete with priority relief items for transportation and storage.”

UMCOR works with disaster coordinators and early response teams in affected areas to provide relief to the many people whose lives have been impacted. They offer 5 things you can do, including: 

Donate Only Those Items Requested. I repeat – only items requested.

Stacy Palmer, editor of The Chronicle of Philanthropy, states “Donations often pour in immediately after disaster strikes but peter out during the long recovery process. While there are a lot of immediate needs, Palmer says, “charities are going to need support on the long haul.”

We Can Make A Difference

Harvey, Irma, wildfires in western states, mudslides in Sierra Leone, earthquakes and many other needs I forgot to mention filled our newsfeed. And now, Hurricane Florence has made her mark. The devastation overwhelms just in pictures and must feel that way 10 fold to those affected.

There is a lot of hurt around the world, but I believe we can make a difference. We can Do Good Well. How we respond, is up to each of us.

•  I chose to write about the experience and advice of humanitarian organizations who served victims of past disasters. If my post inspired one person to give money – great! If it saved one volunteer from another pile of unusable stuff to sort through – mission accomplished!
•  I chose to donate. I read this article, selected a charity and sent money because I want my dollars to go as far as possible.  My donation fed 200 people. It’s not enough but it is a start. No donation is too small.
•  I choose to write again with ideas to support the long haul. While Florence commands the headlines today, we know the cameras will move on. Choose a cause that speaks to you, do your homework and go with it. Donating time or money is a personal choice but both are needed.

Mother Nature is mad. Show the world some love and Do Good Well.

How You Can Help:

The list below and my first post contain great resources but will inevitably miss many worthy and effective charities. 

• Check HERE for vetted and reputable charities. Use Charity Navigator. Make an informed decision about your donation.
• UMCOR – In addition to the food banks, this is my charity of choice. UMCOR deploys trained volunteers and manages warehouses designed to stage needed supplies.  Churches serve as mission centers in affected communities. They commit to the long haul.
• Donate to a Food Bank in affected areas. 
• 10 Somethings You Can Do – by Houston resident and volunteer Angelia Griffith. She lived it!.
• Adopt a Family – Find a friend or friend-of-a-friend affected by a natural disaster. Ask what they need. And sadly, beware of scams. My dear friend reached out to friends in Texas. She connected with teachers who will need supplies. But she’s waiting to hear from them so that the right supplies arrive at the right time.
• Give Blood – An ongoing need