I was born and raised in New York, and this disaster is so hard to watch. It is terribly sad seeing what this storm has done to people’s lives, and those of us outside of the New York/New Jersey area just feel helpless.
Watching the news as well as constant updates on Facebook and Twitter makes a lot of us just want to help in any way. But, how?
Well, I found a few different options over the course of the week that include both monetary and non-monetary help.
Donate to the Red Cross
I feel like this is the first charity event to go viral. So many people were advertising how you should use the Red Cross to make a donation. It is so easy to do it too.
To make a quick $10 donation, all you need to do is text the word “REDCROSS’ to 90999. Follow the directions that they send you and your phone will be charged another $10 at the end of your billing cycle that is going straight to the Red Cross to help the area.
If you want to make a larger donation you can CLICK HERE to get to the official Sandy Relief website on Redcross.org.
Amazon “Bridal Registry” for Victims
This is a genius plan that the volunteers of Occupy Sandy, a group of people trying to help out in as many ways possible. They put together a bridal registry on Amazon that has a list of items that Sandy victims can definitely use right now and in the very near future. All items that are purchased get shipped directly to the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Clinton Hill (520 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238).
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE AMAZON BRIDAL REGISTRY
Items include blankets, generators, flashlights, underwear, socks, clean up supplies and other things that can help people piece their lives together. The lowest priced item on the list is only $2.88 so it won’t break the bank to help. I feel like blankets should be pushed since it is getting to freezing temperature, and the east is about to see a Nor’easter this week.
Donate Blood
Over 100 blood drives were cancelled due to the storm and the events after it. The amount of blood that the American Red Cross and other blood drives missed out on is pressing, and they need help to make up for what they didn’t receive during the storm. This is something you can do that won’t even cost you a dime.
Volunteer to Help
If you are in the area, there are plenty of groups that could use some help.
Open up your home
Reach out to people you know that might have been affected. See if anybody you know has any friends or family that needs a warm place to spend the night.
Donate Clothes
Many people lost their homes, and everything inside them. It is freezing cold in the Northeast now and people can use clothes. Go through your closet to see if there is anything you can spare to bring to the Salvation Army which is bringing in clothing to help the people in the area.