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"The folks on the Gulf Coast are going to need
the help of this country for a long time. This
is going to be a difficult road. The challenges
that we face on the ground are unprecedented.
But there's no doubt in my mind we're going to
succeed. Right now the days seem awfully dark
for those affected -- I understand that. But I'm
confident that, with time, you can get your life
back in order, new communities will flourish,
the great city of New Orleans will be back on
its feet, and America will be a stronger place
for it."
-
President George W. Bush
August 30, 2005 |
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As recovery and relief efforts begin to assist victims of
Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states, well-meaning
volunteers are being urged not to report directly to the
affected areas unless directed by a volunteer agency.
It’s important that volunteer response is coordinated by the
professionals who can direct volunteers with the appropriate
skills to the hardest-hit areas where they are needed most.
Self-dispatched volunteers and especially sightseers can put
themselves and others in harm’s way and hamper rescue
efforts.
Please be patient and allow the professional
first-responders and aid workers to do their job. In the
coming weeks, months and years, please visit the USA Freedom
Corps Volunteer Network to find an opportunity to engage in
ongoing relief efforts and prepare for future disasters.
If you would like to respond now, please consider the
following opportunities:
Donate Now
The best way to help victims of Hurricane Katrina is by
donating cash to humanitarian organizations and volunteer
agencies. Cash donations give volunteer agencies the most
flexibility to help to those in need. They also allow
agencies to avoid the labor-intensive need to pack,
transport, sort, and distribute donated goods. For a list of
volunteer agencies providing services to victims, including
clean up, childcare, housing repair, crisis counseling,
sheltering and food, please
click here.
Give Blood
Donating blood ensures a sustained and secure blood
supply for all Americans including members of the military,
other blood centers in America, and all 5,000 of America's
hospitals. For more information and to schedule an
appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or go to
http://www.redcross.org/donate/give.
Be Prepared
Disasters like this remind us of the importance of
emergency preparedness. Being prepared is everyone's
responsibility. President Bush created Citizen Corps in 2002
to help mobilize citizens to get prepared, to take emergency
response training, and to give back to their community by
volunteering to help emergency responders. Two thousand
Citizen Corps Councils are active throughout the country,
and in the Gulf States these Councils are already assisting
local authorities with rescue and recovery efforts. To get
trained in emergency preparedness and get involved in
helping your neighbors get prepared, contact your local
Citizen Corps Council. For a listing of Citizen Corps
Councils in your community, go to
http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizenCorps/mycouncils.do. |
