| Several of the largest natural disasters have | | | | contribution to organizations that support |
| occurred recently. These include the | | | | the victims of the disaster. The Red Cross |
| earthquake and tsunami in South East Asia and | | | | responds to thousands of disasters each year. |
| Hurricane Katrina in the Southern United | | | | You can donate at 1-800-HELP-NOW. |
| States. Thousands of disasters occur every | | | | |
| year. They all don't affect thousands of | | | | 6. Donate Items. When disaster strikes, |
| people, but the impact is as dire for each | | | | people can be without necessities for a long |
| one that has to experience it. Each time a | | | | time. You can help by donating some of these |
| disaster occurs our hearts go out to those | | | | items. If you want to support relief efforts |
| affected. However, what can we do when we are | | | | by providing items, one of the best ways is |
| many miles away? | | | | to build and send relief kits. The United |
| | | | Methodist Committee on Relief and Operation |
| The following are some of the ways you might | | | | Blessing are two organizations that teach you |
| contribute to others affected by a disaster: | | | | how to make the relief kits and where to send |
| | | | them. You can contact these organizations at |
| 1. Pray. If you believe that miracles happen | | | | 1-800-814-8765 and 1-757-226-3401, |
| every day, as I do, then prayer should be at | | | | respectively. |
| the top of your list. | | | | |
| | | | 7. Provide Shelter. If you are a property |
| 2. Give Blood. There is always a need for | | | | owner with vacant rental housing, you might |
| blood. Especially when major disasters occur. | | | | help those driven from their home. Contact |
| Contact the Red Cross to learn about giving | | | | Disaster Housing Resources Online to learn |
| blood and schedule a time to donate at | | | | more and register your available space. |
| 1-800-GIVELIFE. | | | | |
| | | | 8. Have a Fundraiser. If you cannot afford to |
| 3. Send Notes. Give hope to the victims of | | | | donate funds, conduct a fundraising event. |
| the disaster as well as the relief workers by | | | | The event does not need to be extravagant. I |
| sending an encouraging note. If you do not | | | | am aware of adults and kids that raised money |
| have specific individuals to send to, send | | | | for a cause by having a yard sale and selling |
| your notes to the local area through relief | | | | lemonade. |
| agencies, churches, schools and newspapers. | | | | |
| | | | 9. Purchase Items. Shop at stores and eat at |
| 4. Volunteer. Go with a group to the location | | | | restaurants that donate a portion of their |
| of the disaster to be a part of the | | | | profits to support disaster relief efforts. |
| rebuilding process. This could be with a | | | | You will discover several businesses making |
| local church or organization. You can also | | | | this kind of contribution following major |
| donate your time to volunteer organizations | | | | disasters. |
| that respond to disasters. One of the first | | | | |
| to respond is the Salvation Army. You can | | | | This list is a sample of things you could do. |
| register your desire to volunteer by | | | | I challenge you to identify two or more ways |
| contacting your local Salvation Army office. | | | | you plan to contribute to disaster relief |
| | | | efforts. Act on them starting today. |
| 5. Donate Funds. Make a financial | | | | |