Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Tuesday 29 augusT 2017
Donating to Harvey relief efforts: How, when, what to give

By BARBARA ORTUTAY resilience,” she says. “It’s DONATIONS
AP Technology Writer smart to just give and say Donating food, clothing
NEW YORK (AP) — Charities that it can be used wher- and household items can
are stepping up their dona- ever it’s most needed.” complicate and even hin-
tion requests in the wake of der relief efforts, experts
Harvey, a severe, Category CROWDFUNDING say. After Superstorm San-
4 hurricane that has dev- Group fundraising services dy in 2012, for example,
astated South Texas and such as GoFundMe let peo- reports cited relief agen-
could still lead to worse ple raise money for friends, cies not knowing what to
flooding in the days ahead. families, neighbors or them- do with the piles of clothing
But this is not an excuse selves — as well as for and other unsolicited items
to clean out your closet. charity. As always, do your pouring in. The U.S. Center
Money is the quickest, most homework before giving to for Disaster Information says
effective contribution most a stranger or cause online. such donations “require
people can make during GoFundMe has a special transportation — which is
times of disaster, charities page for Hurricane Harvey expensive and logistically
and philanthropy experts pleas for charities, individu- complicated — and a pre-
say. And donating directly als and families. GlobalGiv- identified recipient on the
through a website gets Margaret Ryan volunteers at the George R. Brown Convention ing, a crowdfunding site for ground who will receive the
money to a charity faster Center in Houston serving food to evacuees from Hurricane charities, is trying to raise $2 shipment, pay customs and
than a text donation, even Harvey, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. million for local relief and other fees, sort and distrib-
though the text might seem Associated Press recovery efforts. ute the items.” Unsolicited
easier. debit card. That said, relief ties will say when they Remember that donations goods, the agency says ,
Here’s how to make sure agencies will need money have raised enough for a are tax-deductible only are “never required in early
you are giving in a way that beyond first few days or particular disaster and use if they go to a registered stages of response, and
matters the most. even weeks, so if the ease any extra money for their non-profit or charity. Oth- they compete with priority
relief items for transporta-
GIVE TO ESTABLISHED RELIEF tion and storage.” It doesn’t
AGENCIES mean there will never be a
GuideStar’s website has time or place for such do-
a database that lets you nations — check with relief
vet charities. You can find agencies as time passes.
information on a charity’s
expenses, assets and reve- CONSIDER SPECIAL NEEDS
nue, as well as its programs. Seniors, the disabled, chil-
Stacy Palmer, editor of The dren and even pets are
Chronicle of Philanthropy, particularly vulnerable
also suggests looking at during disasters. Consider
a charity’s website for in- donating to charities that
formation on how it will focus on addressing their
use donations. And look needs. The Texas Diaper
through local news reports Bank, for example, says di-
for information on a char- apers (whether for babies
ity’s work, or contacting Volunteer rescue boats make their way into a flooded subdivision to rescue stranded residents as or adults) are not provid-
floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey rise Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in Spring, Texas.
the local United Way and Associated Press ed by disaster relief agen-
the local Community Foun-
dation — in this case Hous- of text donations appeals
ton’s. It’s up to you whether to you, tap away. Apple us-
to go with a local charity ers in the U.S. can also do-
that might know the area nate to the American Red
better, or a national charity Cross through the compa-
that has wider reach. Palm- ny’s iTunes and app stores.
er says “both kinds of orga- Amounts range from $5 to
nizations have their place $200, and you can’t use
right now.” store credit.

TEXTING TO GIVE? TIMING
It might be tempting to Donations often pour in
make a donation through immediately after disaster
text and have the phone strikes but peter out during
company charge it on your the long recovery process.
phone bill. It’s easy, and it While there are a lot of im-
might feel as though it’s the mediate needs, Palmer
quickest way to get money says, “charities are going
to a charity. to need support on the Spc. Garth Parks, left, and Pfc. Taylor Garen, center, chat as Garen packs her alert bag at the
But Palmer says that’s long haul.” Consider sav- Tyler Armed Forces Reserve Center in Tyler, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. Unit 136 military
not the case, as charities ing some of your money police battalion has deployed some members and equipment for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts
have to wait for the phone so you can donate again in Houston while the headquarters unit waits for their mission instructions. Associated Press
companies to release the in a few weeks or months.
money. The quickest way Better yet, set up a recur- general fund, Palmer says. erwise, they are generally cies. Again, these charities
to give is to go to the char- ring monthly donation to This isn’t bad. “One of the considered gifts. need money — not boxes
ity’s website and donate support your chosen char- things this disaster shows is of diapers you picked up at
directly, using a credit or ity over time. Some chari- that it’s important to have HOLD OFF ON MATERIAL Costco.q