Natural disasters often strike with little to no warning, leaving the community devastated while it tries to rebuild homes, businesses, and lives. In fact, many Hurricane Harvey victims are still trying to recover from injuries and losses nearly a year after the destruction. With the help of monetary and other essential donations, victims of natural disasters, like those who experienced Harvey’s destruction, are more likely to get the support they need to get back on their feet.
If you're not sure which donations can make a difference, or where to donate, let us help. Use this guide from ServiceMaster Restore® to learn more about how you can make a donation that will directly impact the lives of those in need.
Donate to known organizations
Giving to a charitable organization is one of the best ways you can help disaster victims immediately after the unexpected happens. If you decide to make a donation, use these tips to help you determine which charitable organization to give to:
Give to large, well-known, and reputable organizations with a long track record of providing relief to those in need. For example, the American Red Cross is widely known and trusted for taking donations online, over the phone, and through text messaging almost immediately after a disaster strikes to help with relief efforts.
Do your research or ask a representative how your donation will be used if you're giving to an unfamiliar charitable organization.
Choose what to donate
Making a monetary donation to disaster victims is always helpful, but some tragedies may require additional donations to support as many people as possible. When a disaster strikes, check for news updates or research the leading organizations to determine which essentials the victims need most. Oftentimes, you can find local donation sites to make dropping off your items as convenient as possible.
Some of the most common donations requested after a disaster include:
- Money
- Nonperishable food items
- Clean water
- Clothing
- Baby supplies
- Pet supplies
- First aid kits
Sometimes, people will also volunteer their time, especially if they have a medical background. If you'd like to travel to impacted communities and support disaster relief efforts, reach out to trusted organizations that can help get you there safely.
Space out your donations
Typically, donations are made immediately after a disaster strikes. Unfortunately, disaster victims are usually still in need months or even years after donations stop coming in. If donations are given over the long term, victims can continue receiving the support they need to get their lives back to normal as soon as possible.
At ServiceMaster Restore, we're proud to help communities in their time of need. At the end of the day, we're all neighbors helping neighbors. If the unexpected happened in your neighborhood, contact the experts at ServiceMaster Restore so we can weather the storm together. Our severe weather clean-up services can help rebuild your property and restore your peace of mind.