When a tragedy happens within the country and community you reside in for the most part bonds together to help victims. After a certain amount of time the initiatives seem to be forgotten when there is still help needed for those impacted by the hurricanes in Puerto Rico and the Las Vegas shooting. In my previous articles for both Puerto Rico Hurricane relief and Las Vegas shootings I listed how you can help the victims however there are more initiatives out there now.
Help for Puerto Rico
Reports of all the damage to have happened to Puerto Rico and their citizens has become stagnate. Per the Washington Post as of a couple days ago half of Puerto Ricans had access to drinking water and 5 percent of the island had electricity, according to statistics published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on its Web page documenting the federal response to Hurricane Maria. Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-Ill.) criticized the Trump administration’s response to the unfolding tragedy in Puerto Rico on Oct. 5. http://wapo.st/2xVyc8W. What we know inland is that only half of Puerto Ricans have access to drinking water and 5 percent of the island has electricity, according to statistics published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on its Web page documenting the federal response to Hurricane Maria. Below are some options of how you can help Puerto Rico.
Give Blood:
Red Cross as a location in San Juan, Puerto Rico that are accepting blood donations as of now and their site is located here: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donation-centers/puertorico.
Donate:
UNICEF USA is mobilizing to get immediate, critical support with Emergency Relief Kits to the children of Puerto Rico. A donation of just $28 will provide a kit containing basic, essential supplies such as water purification tablets, a water bucket with lid, water containers, soap, toothpaste, detergent and sanitary pads. The supplies will help children and their families keep clean and healthy, protecting them from diseases that can occur after the loss of equipment and infrastructure and the disruption of a safe water supply. If you would like to donate to UNICEF click here.
Save the Children’s relief experts are on the ground right now, doing whatever it takes to care for the most vulnerable in any emergency: children. When you donate to Save the Children’s Hurricane Maria relief, you’re providing critical aid to children and families who need it most, so they can survive this crisis, recover from their losses and rebuild their lives. To donate click here: https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9535647/k.A2B9/Hurricane_Maria_Childrens_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?msource=wexgphca0917&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsPCjmq_k1gIVj4l-Ch0H5AO-EAAYBCAAEgJzpPD_BwE
Mercy Corps has responded to nearly every major natural disaster in the last twenty years. Their emergency response team is on the ground helping people in Puerto Rico by distributing cash cards that families can use for food and urgently needed supplies. To donate via Mercy Corps site click here. If you want to donate by phone, call 1-888-747-7440 and to donate by mail, download and print this form.
Volunteer:
National VOAD is accepting volunteers for those wanting to help victims of hurricane Irma and Maria. Click here to register as a volunteer for VOAD.
The following groups are also raising money to rebuild homes and infrastructure, as well as give food, medical supplies, clothing, and social services to Maria and Irma victims: ConnectRelief, Hurricane Maria Recovery Fund, Taller Salud, Unidos Por Puerto Rico, and the Puerto Rican Hurricane Relief Fund.
Help for Las Vegas
At least 59 people were killed and 527 others were injured Sunday night in Las Vegas in the deadliest shooting in modern US history. Businesses and organizations nationally have launched fundraisers or are offering free food and/or beverages to first responders and those directly affected by the mass shooting on the Strip, click here to see the full list of those contributing to the Las Vegas shooting victims. Below is more donating and giving blood information to help those impacted by the massacre.
Give Blood:
United Blood Services will take donations by appointment only. For more visit:http://www.unitedbloodservices.org/lv/
Donate:
An American Red Cross honor gift allows you to celebrate the memory of a loved one, recognize special milestones, or acknowledge a person who has made a difference in your life. To make a gift in honor or memorial, please call 702-369-3674. You can also make a gift online or start an online fundraising campaign. When your gift in honor is received, the American Red Cross will promptly send a personalized tribute card to the person or family you indicated, notifying them of your thoughtful donation. All donations are tax-deductible.
Donate Via Smartphone:
AT&T said their customers and those with service through other wireless providers can text “VEGAS” to 50555 to donate $10. The money will go to the University Medical Center Foundation. 100 percent of the donations will go towards treatment of the patients in need.
Physical Donations:
If you would like to donate water, canned goods, or non-perishable items, please visit Three Square and Catholic Charities located here: https://www.threesquare.org/ or https://www.catholiccharities.com/.
Transportation Donations:
Lyft is also offering two free rides, up to $40 each, to blood donation centers, hospitals and relief centers; go to lyft.com/invite/vegashope. If you live in the Las Vegas area, you can volunteer transportation and other help to victims through this Facebook page.
The Clark County Commission Chairman, Steve Sisolak, started The Las Vegas Victims Fund on Go Fund Me to be used to fund relief and help families in their time of need. Donate at: www.gofundme.com/dr2ks2-las-vegas-victims-fund
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer for the Red Cross for this gruesome event the volunteer page is located here: http://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer#step1
Register with Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada https://www.vmsn.org/volunteers/new-and-returning-volunteers. The registration form is located here: https://app.betterimpact.com/Application/?OrganizationGuid=ab06a415-f581-4bc4-816d-f051658c56f0&ApplicationFormNumber=1. Those looking for information about loved ones still missing in the Las Vegas area can call 1-800-536-9488.
###
Source: UNICEF, USA Today, CNN, AT&T, Las Vegas Review Journal, Las Vegas Sun, Washington Post, Red Cross
