Hurricane harvey: how new yorkers can help

| 01 Sep 2017 | 04:48

A child looks up at Staff Sgt. Ryan R. Dush, with the 103rd Rescue Squadron of the 106th Rescue Wing assigned to the New York Air National Guard, while flying in an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter over the Houston area, August 30, 2017. The child was safely dropped off to the Montagne Center in Beaumont, Texas. Photo: Airman 1st Class Daniel H. Farrell, New York National Guard, via flickr

Texas National Guard soldiers arrive in Houston, Texas to aid citizens in heavily flooded areas from the storms of Hurricane Harvey. Photo: Lt. Zachary West , 100th MPAD, via flickr

Just last week, Hurricane Harvey hit Texas’ eastern coast, devastating families, businesses and schools. The situation is still critical, with anticipated flash flooding and rain in the forecast; according to CNN, the category 4 hurricane left thousands displaced and 37,000 without power.

“In our own city, we know from the horrendous impact of Hurricane Sandy how important the highest level of government, public and private cooperation is to maximize the safety and welfare of our communities,” said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright in a statement. “I encourage my constituents to join with millions of Americans ... by supporting reputable established relief organizations.”

In the wake of this disaster, those in Houston need help while they move towards recovery. Here’s what some Manhattan officials, local advocates, and charitable and religious organizations have suggested you can do to help.

Make a Monetary DonationWhile many people may want to make food and supply donations, donating cash to relief organizations can be more logical for those who want to help but are states away. While some organizations will accept supply donations, most prefer to receive monetary contributions instead.

Reputable, general relief organizations include (but are not limited to):

United Way (unitedwayhouston.org/flood/flood-donation); Americares (americares.org); Salvation Army (give.salvationarmyusa.org); Catholic Charities USA (catholiccharitiesusa.org); Direct Relief (directrelief.org); Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (namb.net/send-relief/disaster-relief/hurricane-harvey).

Relief organizations with more specific outreach include:

The State of Texas Agriculture Relief fund, a relief organization that collects private donations to assist Texas farmers and ranchers rebuild and restore operations after disaster. To donate, visit texasagriculture.gov.

Portlight Strategies, a non-profit organization that works to help older adults and those with disabilities. Portlight helped shore communities of New Jersey and New York City for 18 months following the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. To donate, visit portlight.org/get-involved.

Houston Undocumented Communities Flood Relief Fund, a page on the crowdfunding site YouCaring, where funds will be used to aid undocumented survivors of the hurricane. Donate at youcaring.com/undocumentedsurvivorsofhurricaneharvey.

Teachers of Tomorrow, a Texan education organization, has started a relief fund for Texas teachers called “Texas Teachers: Adopt a Texas Classroom” to help teachers rebuild their classrooms. Donate at teachersoftomorrow.org/adopt-classroom-donations.

The Montrose Center, Houston’s LGBTQ counseling and community center, is collecting funds for the LGBTQ community members displaced by the storm. To donate, visit my.reason2race.com/cause/montrosecenter.

The Union for Reform Judaism Greene Family Camp, an organization that normally functions as a sleepaway summer camp, is running Hurricane Harvey Houston Day Camp, a childcare program for families who need assistance in the aftermath of Harvey. For those looking to help this effort, URJ is asking for donations in the form of Wal-Mart gift cards to be given to displaced families, which can be sent to URJ Greene Family Camp, 1192 Smith Ln, Bruceville, TX 76630.

Little Lobbyists, an organization to help support families with children with complex medical needs, is accepting medical supply donations in addition to cash donations. For more information about what kind of supplies Little Lobbyists are looking for as well as the shipping address, visit littlelobbyists.org/harvey-packing.

Donate Supplies Locally

Rather than sending supplies to the local Texas relief organizations, who may not have the capacity to receive and store the supplies at this immediate time, New Yorkers can leave non-perishable supplies at a few locations across New York City to be delivered to Texas in the following weeks:

Hamilton Beach Civic Association, a local Queens civic association, is accepting non-perishable donations. For the drop off locations and a list of suggested donations, check facebook.com/groups/NewHamiltonBeachCivic

U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan’s office is accepting donations, including flashlights, batteries and cleaning supplies among other things. The drop off location is his Staten Island office, located 265 New Dorp Lane.

The office of U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi is also accepting non-perishable donations at this time. The drop off location is 250-02 Northern Blvd., Little Neck, Queens. For more information, head to facebook.com/RepTomSuozzi.

Support local Texas Animal Rescue Shelters

For those interested in donating to help the displaced animals in Texas, consider donating to local Texas shelters. “Remember to always start with local rescues,” Sophie Gamand, a New York-based photographer and an animal advocate, said via her Instagram page @sophiegamand. “They are the ones doing the ground work and struggle the most.”

The following local pet shelters in Texas are looking for donations to help displaced animals in the wake of Harvey:

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas (visit spca.org/give)

Austin Pets Alive (austinpetsalive.org/hurricane-harvey-evacuations)

Animal Defense League of Texas (adltexas.org/donation)

Houston Humane Society (houstonhumane.org/(Give)/giving/designate-your-gift/hurricane-harvey-fund)