How to Help Victims of Hurricane Harvey

A word on the Houston Floods

As a native and proud Houstonian, I've been through hurricanes and severe weather all of my life. But I've never seen the devastation, and overwhelming catastrophe that has been brought by Hurricane Harvey. Almost exactly 9 Years ago, Hurricane Ike brought HB and I closer together than we could have ever have imagined as we weathered out that storm together at the beginning of our fledgling relationship, and now, all these years later, catastrophic flooding threatens to be one of the most massive weather catastrophes the United States has ever seen.What does Houston need right now? I'll get to the point: money. Money buys medicine, food, toiletries, shelter, blankets, cots, pillows, oxygen tanks, and much much more to those who are displaced from their homes. It helps rescue support, helps offset the costs of first responders, and helps as many people man the rescue stations and shelters as possible for as long as possible.If you're a local and are able to move about freely without risking bodily harm or injury, there are more ways to help below.

How you can help

1. Relief raised from the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, organized by Texans player JJ Watt, will go directly to Houston and affected areas in Texas (Rockport, Victoria, etc). This is great because it goes local and stays local. This is now my #1 choice for places to donate. JJ's foundation has a very good track record and history for doing good in the community. You can donate here: http://youcaring.com/jjwatt
2. Diapers are in VERY short supply in coastal Texas and The Texas Diaper Bank is doing its part to alleviate that by donating diapers to shelters. Please donate here: https://texasdiaperbank.networkforgood.com/projects/33717-change-a-life
3. Houston Food Bank: A Houston institution. Providing foodstuffs for shelters and homeless victims and evacuees right now: http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donate/
4. Text the word HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross right now for Harvey Victims. You can also visit redcross.org or 1-800-RED-CROSS
5. Text UWFLOOD to 41444 to donate to the United Way Flood Relief Fund
6. Donations to support The Salvation Army's Hurricane Harvey relief efforts can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
7. Facebook has a nice tool where you can offer up supplies, shelter, or evacuation assistance using the Hurricane Harvey safety check tool.
8. Donate blood! Blood centers expect a supply shortage because of the closure of some blood banks along the Texas coast & the likely demand stemming from injuries sustained in the storm.
9. Volunteer in person at The American Red Cross, or Salvation Army. They are asking for volunteers in Texas.
10. The local Texas Diaper Bank is putting together disaster relief kits for families with young children. You can donate here.
11. Airbnb has launched a portal so that the people who have been displaced by the hurricane can find a place to stay. It’s also waiving fees for people affected by the disaster. More details are available on the Airbnb website here.