Thousands of people in Houston, and along the Gulf coast, have been displaced after more than two feet of rain dropped on their homes. While Hurricane Harvey continues to flood and destroy the Gulf Coast, it is forcing American organizations and nonprofits to come together to undertake saving lives as well as give comfort to those who are deeply affected by this disaster. After all, one must remember that this is why America represents so many nonprofits and disaster relief organizations; so many people are indeed waiting for the call to come to the rescue.
However, it’s not just the Red Cross or AmeriCare that contribute in helping towards alleviating the various losses caused by Hurricane Harvey. It’s incredibly admirable that many Americans’ first instinct when a disaster strikes (global or nation wide) is to immediately open their wallets and volunteer their time. While this has never been a nation that relies simply on our government to take care of those in need, citizens’ first impulse is to pitch in whatever they can, putting politics and religion aside.
As the first of many heart wrenching images of suffering and loss emerged from the impacts Harvey left on Houston, the flow of cash, food, clothing and even rescue equipment into the state of Texas seemed to rise just as quickly as did the floodwaters.
However, it’s known that not all of these sums and profits will indeed directly reach Harvey’s victims. But it is important for Americans to be just as discerning with their money as they are philanthropic, avoiding scams and asking for accountability from well respected charities, like the American Red Cross.
Although there are plenty of Hurricane Harvey relief effort organizations, the Red Cross has always been a flagship of charitable institutions. It’s been known to be a master of promotion during dark times when natural disasters strike: large or small. Continuously, the Red Cross beseeches Americans to donate through their celebrity testimonial ADs. For example, the Red Cross had former President Barack Obama tweet to fellow Americans to make a ten-dollar donation by texting “HARVEY.” So many corporations today find donations to the Red Cross a ready way to demonstrate they care, such as million dollar companies like JPMorgan, EXXON Mobil, or nonprofits like Americare and Salvation Army.
But the Red Cross is not the only disaster relief organization giving back to Hurricane Harvey victims. Many other Americans are giving to smaller, local charities with a track record in Texas. Everyone who responds to a disaster learns invaluable lessons that can or, at least, should be carried forward to the next one. Many nonprofits, organizations, and charities must always reassess funding priorities. But groups like the Red Cross are stewards not only of enormous budgets, but of a more precious commodity: Americans’ willingness to give.
Finally, listed below are many other charities aside from the American Red Cross that you can contribute to in order to help make a small, but great impact on Hurricane Harvey disaster relief and victims.
The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
Houston Humane Society
Houston Food Bank
The United Way of Greater Houston
All Hands Volunteers
AmeriCares
Direct Relief
Salvation Army
Save the Children