One TSLL reader’s daughter has lost her home, but she, her son and her dogs are safe. One TSLL reader’s parents had to be evacuated from their home. One reader lives in the Houston community in which sergeant Steve Perez gave his life as he headed to work Monday morning to help his fellow citizens in a time of crisis. Within our small community here on TSLL, we are connected to those affected by the wrath of Hurricane Harvey.
Hurricane Harvey’s devastation has not only hit Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, but many communities in SE Texas area and along the Gulf Coast headed to Louisiana (see a crisis map here from NOAA). With rain expected to continue to fall through Friday and some places being deluged with more than 50 inches of rain, the Houston area is experiencing the worst flooding in history.
No doubt, you too, no matter where you call home, are aware of the horrendous situation residents are experiencing, the lives that have been impacted and the uncertainty that is being felt as the news is regularly updating us all. But these are people who were about to begin September after a warm and wonderful summer with a spring in their step and hope to strive ever closer to their dreams, and if you, like me, are fortunate to be able to help, I wanted to share with you a few credible and vetted ways to do so.
It is one thing to watch the news and again and again be reminded of the destruction and the anguish that is being felt. Upon hearing these stories of loss, my heart broke. But to just absorb such information without taking action when we may be able to help can be paralyzing and harmful to the onlooker. Instead, if you are able, find a way to help in any small way possible. No matter how seemingly nominal, every bit of assistance helps if it is what is needed.
What is needed and how you can help:
- Author Brené Brown in her Instagram feed yesterday shared specific information about the need for clean (and still in its package) underwear. Below are three different ways to donate these items:
- Buy from this link on Amazon she provided – www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/2O89ZX93OGCSU/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1
- Her instructions: Collect new, packaged underwear and mail it to the address below. It’s our local Hillel and they are collecting for us. This is a really great neighborhood or school project. If you’re purchasing, we recommend Hanes or Fruit of the Loom. UFE doesn’t process or give out anything but underwear!
- Undies for Everyone
1700 Bissonnet St.
Houston, TX 77005
- Undies for Everyone
- Her instructions: Give cash and Undies for Everyone will purchase wholesale. Click the “Donate” button on their website: www.undiesforeveryone.org
- NPR has shared a list of charities to donate to with information about each. In order to vet the charities, NPR recommended Charity Navitagor to further ensure your money and donations are indeed helping those in need.
- Animals as well need help and assistance. Donate to The Humane Society here.
- Specifically, the Houston Humane Society and the San Antonio Humane Society are helping animals affected by the storm.
- The New York Times shared the following, the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund was established by Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
- A TSLL reader affected by the devastation shared You Caring as a site to donate as well.
~To avoid scams and stories of the tragedy that are not true, read this story written by The New York Times.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Part of bringing relief is knowing how to help, and sometimes that can be hard to determine. I hope in some small way this post has answered this question, and if you have information that can be helpful, please let me know or comment below with questions as I will do my best to answer.
Illustration by All the Wire, visit their website here where part of their proceeds are given to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
from The Simply Luxurious Life®
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