Therapists say that one of the most effective ways to manage stress, like you may be feeling during a storm, is to help someone else. Gratitude is a tremendous stress reliever. For sure, some of our fellow Floridians are going to need help.
The Florida United Way is one fund that funnels donations to places where that need it most after a disaster
The Red Cross’s storm relief center
The Florida Disaster Fund is the State of Florida’s official private fund established to assist Florida’s communities as they respond to and recover during times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with the public sector, private sector and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities.
As tempting as it might be to load up your car with a chainsaw and bottled want and head to storm area to pitch in and help, that is not what would be most helpful. Emergency response is a coordinated effort, officials want to know who is coming and going and volunteers can unknowingly put themselves in danger walking around down power lines and unsafe structures. Sometimes the best in-person volunteerism is weeks after the storm passes. Groups like the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) specialize in “muck-out” work after hurricanes.
CLICK HERE FOR POSSIBLE DISASTER-RELATED OPPORTUNITIES.
Complete the Location and Distance fields for possible opportunities in your area.
WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Remember that recovery work continues for weeks, months and even years after disaster events occur. Organizations may have a significant need for volunteers in the weeks and months ahead.
Immediate assistance for affected areas is provided by first responders, government groups, disaster relief organizations and affiliated volunteers who have already trained to serve.
Each organization that mobilizes volunteers during disasters has its own process for accepting and managing unaffiliated volunteers.
As our partner organizations assess needs and evaluate resources, they will begin to organize volunteer opportunities for unaffiliated (individuals who are not already connected to an organization) volunteers.
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