You and Your Family

Connecting in the aftermath –
How you can help after a disaster
With all the fun of summer comes the potential for thunderstorms and other natural disasters just like the recent tornadoes in several states across the country. If you’re fortunate to be out of harm’s way, count your blessings and then determine how you can help others pick up the pieces.

Help by partnering with relief agencies
We all want to help after a devastating tornado, hurricane, or flood. But we’re faced with a donation dilemma. What do they need? How can we help? 

According to Matt Deighton, volunteer coordinator and public relations director for the South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization, “Do your homework after a disaster. We received a semi-load of dog and cat food after the Greensburg, KS, tornado. The thought was good, but with very few homes and families left in the area, it wasn’t something we could put to good use.”

A better idea: “Collect sun block for workers who are rebuilding homes in the area,” he said. “That’s the type of item people don’t think about donating, but it’s important.”

One of the most effective ways to help is to support the organizations that are experienced in disaster relief. 

Coordination with a relief agency is essential so that appropriate items are collected. These organizations base their disaster relief activities on a thorough assessment of the situation. They also typically have an infrastructure in place to store and distribute items.

“Gift certificates are very helpful,” said Matt. “Depending on the disaster, people can use gift cards from home improvement stores and department stores to purchase tools and other household items. On the other hand, used clothing is rarely useful because it is hard to clean, sort, pack, transport, store, and distribute.”

Be sure to plan for transportation in advance. You don’t want to collect 5,000 bottles of water and have no means of getting them to the disaster area!

Remember to pack items for ease of distribution. Specific content lists should be taped to the side of each box, allowing for quick and efficient distribution.

Plan ahead to be a valuable volunteer
Attend disaster training before the next disaster strikes. You will be in a better position to find and deliver meaningful volunteer work. Visit HelpInDisaster.org to learn how to prepare yourself.

Remember the long-term impact
Be patient. Immediately following a disaster, many people want to volunteer at the same time. However, it may be days before a proper assessment can be made to determine what needs to be done. You may want to help during the long-term recovery period to deliver the most impact to those in need.

Ready to help? Here’s how:

• Do your homework. Learn what type of assistance is needed.
• Watch the media coverage after a disaster to learn about volunteer coordination efforts.
• Donate and/or volunteer through a reputable disaster relief agency or a local church organization.
• Make a financial contribution – it’s often the best way to help.
• Offer to watch children as their parents clean up after a disaster.
• Listen for frequent updates.
• Don’t sight-see in an impacted area. Your presence might hamper rescue efforts and put you at risk.
  

Check out these Web sites for more information:
Disaster News Network – www.disasternews.net
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster – www.nvoad.org

Members who experience illness or a natural disaster are eligible to apply for cash assistance through the Royal Neighbors Fraternal Aid Program.

“I received your check and I want to thank you for the help that the check will give us. We had a few things that were not covered by insurance and this will sure help.” – H.R., Kansas, tornado victim

If a natural disaster occurs and you want to give, rally your Royal Neighbors chapter members. We will match up to $1,000 of funds you raise!