On Monday August 29th, the Gulf Coast was hit by Hurricane Katrina, a category 4 storm which was one of the strongest systems ever experienced by the continental U.S. The storm has been called one of the nation’s worst natural disasters and has left possibly over 1,000 people dead, countless others injured and more than 3 million people without electricity or drinking water. Below are ways that you can help.


I.) MONETARY DONATIONS

1. NETWORK FOR GOOD (www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/)
This website has an extensive list of different organizations that are collecting financial donations for hurricane relief. Some of the links are to more general hurricane relief and others are targeted more at specific aspects of the relief effort (ie. Medical care, food services, helping pets affected by the hurricane) so you can choose which organization your money goes to.

II.) BLOOD DRIVES

1. RED CROSS
To schedule an appointment to give blood at a local blood drive or donor center, contact the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit them on the web at www.redcross.org

III.) OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES as of 9/16/05

ON-CAMPUS

1. Lutheran Campus Outreach
Beth Platz is working with students on a fundraiser filling empty large water containers with money and forwarding the money to buy water for victims or displaced.UMD faculty, staff, and students are currently meeting to assess the needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina and planning ways the campus can organize to help.

2. Community Service-Learning

Our office will keep you posted on any updates and ways to help by visiting our office or our website..

OFF-CAMPUS

1. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

FEMA - How You Can Help - http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm

2. American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is in need of volunteers, and are estimating that they will need a large number of them for about the next four months.

3. DEPLOYMENT TO THE GUlF COAST
All accelerated volunteer training classes for deployment in the DC metro area are full as the American Red Cross processes those who have been trained. Please continue to check their website at www.redcross.org for updates.

4. CALL CENTERS

Thankfully, call centers in the area are currently inundated with volunteers. Even so, the Red Cross is asking that interested volunteers call them at 301-456-8800 to be put on a waiting list. The need for call center volunteers will continue for several months.

5. HURRICANE RELIEF AT THE DC ARMORY
As many as 400 people displaced by Hurricane Katrina are being housed at the DC Armory in a shelter managed by the Red Cross. Volunteers are likely to be helping with set up, registration, distribution of hygiene kits, and food. If you are interested in volunteering with the American Red Cross, please call the DC Armory hotline at 301-650-7110.

6. Campus Compact
Campus Compact has set up a Discussion Board for you to share information and post suggestions, ideas, and things your campus is doing to support disaster relief. http://www.compact.org/forums/index.php

7. Youth Service America
http://www.ysa.org/news_event/katrina/index.cfm

8. Hurricane Katrina Relief Service-Learning Resources and Tools
http://www.servicelearning.org/nslc/hurricane_katrina/index.php

9. HELP KATRINA'S KIDS NOW — AND FOR GOOD

Last week, the America's Promise Alliance created Katrina’s Kids, a web portal featuring national organizations committed to implementing the Five Promises of America’s Promise. The Alliance is committed to making a focused, coordinated, and sustained effort to ensure that Katrina's Kids receive the essential life-resources they need for the long term: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education and opportunities to help others. Through this proven framework, people can help Katrina's Kids by volunteering time, expertise, and/or financial contributions on the new Katrina’s Kids website, an innovative easy-to-use Web portal that also includes safe and powerful resources for the young people affected by Hurricane Katrina. For more information, visit: www.katrinaskidsusa.org.

10. SHARE OUR STRENGTH - HELPING IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA

In response to Hurricane Katrina, Share Our Strength (SOS) and dedicated partners and chefs have created a unique way to help. On Tuesday September 22, 2005, SOS will host “Restaurants for Relief - One Night to Help Provide Hunger Relief.” “Restaurants for Relief” is a national "dine around” night when hundreds of participating restaurants across the nation will donate a portion of their dinner sales to Share Our Strength's Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. For a full list of restaurants and to make a reservation, please go to: www.RestaurantsForRelief.com. Donations will ensure that desperately needed food and supplies can be distributed to the thousands of families impacted by the hurricane in the weeks and months ahead. 100% of all proceeds will go to local organizations directly assisting victims and combating hunger in the affected areas. Share Our Strength is a national nonprofit that inspires and organizes individuals and businesses to share their strengths to help end hunger. They raise funds by holding volunteer-led special events across the country to developing cause-related marketing ventures and corporate partnerships. For more information about Share Our Strength: www.strength.org.

11. MTV AND YOUTH VENTURE OFFER HOPE VENTURE GRANTS FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS

MTV and Youth Venture are offering Hope Venture Grants of up to $1,000 to support young people who want to launch a venture -- an organization, club, or business -- that will aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. First priority will be given to proposals that support the creation of sustainable ventures that aid the citizens and communities who have lost so much from this disaster. A second priority will be proposals to start organizations solely for the purpose of raising and distributing funds for those in need. Hope Venture Grants will be offered every week for the next six months to groups of two or more young people (ages 13-20) with the most compelling venture ideas to assist the people and communities affected. Applications for one-time projects will not be considered. For the official rules or the application, please go to: www.mtv.com/thinkmtv/features/take_action/disaster_relief/help4.jhtml. For tips and tools on starting your venture visit Youth Venture at: www.youthventure.org. For questions, please email: ny@youthventure.org. Please include “Hope Venture Grants” in subject line.