As the nation and the world tries to comprehend the widespread devastation Hurricane Katrina inflected on parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Gulf Coast, many want to help but don’t know where to start.
All emergency response officials, as well as the governors and mayors of the affected areas, have said that as of now, if you want to help, the best way to do so is by making monetary donations. While the first inclination is to collect food, clothes, school supplies and other items, emergency officials have said they
DO NOT want people to start collecting any items for those in the affected areas.
The reason: logistics.
While the intent is good, physically getting the items to the affected areas can prove almost impossible. In addition, lessons learned from South Florida’s experience with Hurricane Andrew proved that many of the donated items never made it to those in need – they sat in storage facilities and went to waste.
Also, by providing money to relief agencies, the power to obtain the necessary materials resides with those on the ground helping the victims. In addition, monetary donations will help stimulate surrounding economies hard-hit by the storm as that is where many of the needed items will be purchased.
According to the Salvation Army’s Web site, A $100 donation will feed a family of four for two days, provide two cases of drinking water and one household clean-up kit (containing brooms, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies.)
Broward County Public Schools is encouraging those students, faculty and staff who want to do something to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina to do so by raising money. Any Broward public school that wishes to raise funds
MUST adhere to
School Board Policy 6206.
Be sure to designate your donation to Hurricane Katrina relief.
While there are many charitable organizations that have begun to help, the District recommends schools make their donations to those organizations that we already have working relationships with. They are:
As the areas begin to recover, efforts to help may change – but as of now, help should be given in the form
of monetary donations.
