The news is full of Hurricane Harvey.  I haven’t slept well this week for the images of the disaster that keep ricocheting around my mind.

At the TV station where I work, we’ve gone on a telethon that has raised $177,000 in four days.  One more day should put us over $200,000.

Obviously people care and want to help.

World-Voices Organization began coalescing around the idea of organizing some giving from and for voice-actors.  We quickly realized we were not equipped to handle this sort of action, but so many organizations ARE.  We urge you to give to those worthy causes, I’ve composed a comprehensive list at the bottom of this article, in case you still haven’t plugged into the donor network anywhere yet.

Voice actors are some of the givingest people I know. I have no doubt the Houston community of voice actors will make their stories known in the weeks and months ahead, and THEN might be a great time to give .

Ironically, the 12th anniversary of Hurrican Katrina was also this week, and let’s face it, some New Orleans neighborhoods STILL haven’t recovered, and lie in ugly disarray.

The long-tail of natural disaster recovery will require a humanitarian response for many many years in SE Texas.

To that end, I suggest a couple of stand-out organizations I’ve become aware of – especially for the long term.

The United Methodist Church Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is actually one of the premier help organizations in the world.  First to arrive, and the last to leave is their creed. http://www.umcor.org/umcor/resources/news-stories/2017/august/0825umcorrespondstoharvey 

 The United Way of Greater Houston flood relief fund will be used to help with immediate needs as well as long-term services like minor home repair. Visit their website to donate or text UWFLOOD to 41444.

The long-tail of natural disaster recovery will require a humanitarian response for many many years in SE Texas. Click To Tweet

I’ve purposely left off these lists the American Red Cross.  They’ve already coordinated and collected hundreds of millions, but I’ve become suspect of their handling of their funds.  See the article here.

Regardless, below is a sufficient list of places where you may give and give generously.  I urge you to do so.  Not living there, it’s impossible to understand the need, but believe me, it’s real, and it’ll be lasting.

CourVO

• VO Weekly Workout/TAG Talent
• Guitar Center & MusicCare

• The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund of Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, which is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

•  If you live in Texas, the City of Houston Emergency Operations Center has posted a list of places where you can drop off donations.

• Houston Food Bank and the Food Bank of Corpus Christi are asking for donations.

• The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center is reporting a critical shortage, and has extended hours at all of its San Antonio-area donor rooms. To donate, call 210-731-5590 or visit their website for more information.

• Carter BloodCare covers hospitals in North, Central and East Texas. To donate, call 877-571-1000 or text DONATE4LIFE to 444-999

• To help animals suffering from the disaster, visit the Houston Humane Society or the San Antonio Humane Society. TheHouston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has set up an animal emergency response hotline (713-861-3010) and is accepting donations on its website.

• The Texas Diaper Bank in San Antonio is asking for diapers and wipes, which can be dropped off in person or mailed to 5415 Bandera Road, Suite 504, San Antonio, Tex., 78238.

• AmeriCares takes medicine and supplies to survivors.

• Catholic Charities provides food, clothing, shelter and support services to those from all religious backgrounds.

• Direct Relief is shipping medicine and medical supplies to Texas, and has made its entire medical inventory of more than $100 million available for the Harvey relief effort.

• Matthew 25: Ministriesis distributing personal care kits, cleaning products, first aid and safety kits, diapers, paper products and tarps.

• Donations to the Salvation Army can be made online, by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or texting STORM to 51555.

• Save the Children is delivering baby supplies, including cribs and strollers, and setting up child-friendly spaces in shelters.

• AABB, which coordinates a task force to manage blood collection efforts during disasters, put out a call on Sunday for blood donations in the aftermath of Harvey. Most in demand: those with type O-positive blood.

• Airbnb is waiving service fees for those affected by the disaster and checking in between Aug. 23 and Sept. 25, and can guide users in creating a listing where their home is offered to victims free.

• GoFundMe has created a page with all of its Harvey-related campaigns, including one started by the country singer Chris Young, who donated $100,000, and another created by the president and chief executive of the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

• YouCaring has a fund-raising page set up by J. J. Watt of the Houston Texans with a goal of $10 million. By 9:30 p.m. Wednesday it had raised more than $7 million.

• GlobalGiving’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund supports local organizations by helping to “meet survivors’ immediate needs for food, fuel, clean water, hygiene products and shelter.” It will also assist with longer-term recovery efforts.

  How to avoid being scammed

  Before giving money to an organization, do your research.

  Charity Navigator, which identifies worthy charities, has a handy list of organizations that are responding in the aftermath of the storm. Their extensive database provides a good starting place to research nonprofits.