If you are a regular blog reader, you have no doubt been touched already by Instapundit’s call for a "blog burst" in which every blog recommends a flood relief charity deserving of help. MP is honored to pitch in.
My recommendation is simple: The American Red Cross (1-800-help-now). Whatever issues they may have had in the past, disaster relief is what they do. They are on scene now and already doing more than anyone else. They meet the standards for charity accountability set by the BBB. Most of all, as the IT folks might say, they are arguably the most "scalable" operation out there. They can absorb your donation and put it to good use very quickly.
The MP household has met the "Skippy challenge" (and then some) and hopes every other blogger does the same.
Of course, there are many other deserving charities collecting funds for flood relief. Instapundit is posting a very comprehensive list of what bloggers are supporting, so is the site Truth Laid Bear. The Better Business Bureau’s "Wise Giving Alliance" (give.org) has posted "Tips on Disaster Relief Appeals" and a list of reports on organizations that are providing Katrina relief.
Also, please feel free to post links to causes you support in the comments section. It’s all good.
P.S. Actually, it’s not all good. A colleague reminds me of the ugly history of bogus web sites trading on the Red Cross name. She had already received the first piece of bogus Katrina SPAM this morning. If you give to the Red Cross, be sure to use the official site or call 800-help-now. Be patient. It took some waiting but I just made a donation online.
Kudos on your efforts to bring relief to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. There is another way bloggers and other thoughtful people can help:
I have opened forums at http://www.disasterreliefideas.org for the discussion of ideas to aid disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I am not soliciting donations, only ideas. Experts in aspects of disaster relief (housing, healthcare, rebuilding, etc.) are also able to rate these ideas, giving us a means of identifying the most promising ones, which will be shared with disaster relief professionals and persons in authority. Please help our society by contributing your ideas, especially if you are unable to contribute financially to relief efforts.
thanks, mp! i’m really happy you donated and met my challenge!
I have made a customized EMERGENCY type search engine that links only to crisis situation type websites (like relief aide, evacuation planning layouts, crisis management setup and others relating to disasters caused by terrorism, natural disasters, poverty, disease and man-made war), see http://www.CrisisSearch.com … This niche portal was made after the Katrina devastation and hopefully it will assist humanity in/during the next disasterous crisis…
My first ever nonprofit humanitarian project was http://www.SpareSomeChange.com which only covers resources for those living homeless (I had suffered homelessness a few times as a youth). I will try to come up with other helping humanity type portals as I can afford too…