Volunteer Opportunities

Helpful tips for Volunteering: 

• Get involved with a disaster relief organization before a disaster happens. They can provide the necessary training to help when a disaster occurs.
• Don't self-deploy to a disaster zone. Local officials will give specific instructions about how to volunteer. You can also check with volunteer organizations to learn about opportunities to help.
• Be patient. Sometimes the need for volunteers is greater during the recovery period.

Helpful tips for Donating: 

Cash is best. The best way to help people after a disaster is to donate cash to a recognized disaster relief organization. Monetary donations allow charitable organizations the flexibility to purchase items that are needed most, and, unlike material donations, cash donations entail no transportation costs. Cash donations avoid the process of collecting, sorting, and transporting donated goods. Cash donations may be tax deductible.

Cash donations allow relief organizations to:

• fund response and recovery efforts
• get goods and services and
• give financial aid to survivors.

 Do not send unsolicited goods. It is important that prior to collecting any relief items, donors should contact the receiving local or national relief organization to verify the need and to make necessary transportation arrangements. Failure to do this will result in personnel, time, space, and money being spent to process uncoordinated items and will further detract from the resources being available to provide direct support to those affected by the disaster.

• Donate goods that are specifically requested or needed by recognized organizations. Contact your chosen organization before starting to collect or donate.
• Make a food donation to a local food bank that may distribute food to those impacted by the disaster.