How you can help Hurricane Sandy victims
Houses were destroyed by a fire in the Breezy Point section of Queens, N.Y. Estimates of total damage have been raised. Photo from the Associated Press.
Although we here at UCF are fortunate to not have been impacted directly by Hurricane Sandy, many of our family and friends were.
If your are looking for a way to help those affected by the storm and in need of support, we are re-posting a list put together by the UCF Office of Student Involvement on ways you can help.
Many have lost or have severely damaged homes and are still without power and water. Please continue reading for a sampling of the ways you can help.
- The Red Cross: If you would like to give to the Red Cross, which has opened more than 190 shelters along the East Coast and has hundreds of disaster relief workers on standby, you can donate online, by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10. The Red Cross is also seeking blood and platelet donations. To learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org.
- The Salvation Army: You can donate $10 to the Salvation Army by texting “STORM” to 80888. If you are already volunteer-certified, you can sign up to help out with disaster relief.
- AmeriCares: You can donate to AmeriCares’ relief fund to help the organization, which is distributing supplies to 130 clinics in the 13 states affected by Sandy.
- World Vision: Despite flooding at its Bronx, N.Y. warehouse, World Vision is organizing relief efforts. You can text “GIVEUSA” to 777444 to make a $10 donation, or donate online to help.
- Operation USA: If you would like your donations to go to efforts abroad, Operation USA is helping victims in Haiti and Cuba, who were also deeply affected by the storm. In addition to donating online, you can text “AID” to 50555 to give $10.
- International Medical Corps: Another option for donating abroad is the International Medical Corp, who are coordinating efforts in Haiti.
- New York Blood Center: You can donate blood, which will be used to help injured people, as well as hospital blood banks affected by the storm.