Posts Tagged ‘disaster relief’

HandsOn Network’s Response to Torndaos and Flooding in the South and Midwest

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

HandsOn Network is actively reaching out to our affiliates who are in the disaster impacted regions from the recent domestic tornadoes and flooding. We are also actively supporting our international affiliate who is working with recovery efforts in Japan.

Related to the Alabama tornadoes, Hands On Birmingham, The Volunteer Center of Morgan County in Decatur, AL and in Montgomery, AL are helping to set up Volunteer Reception Centers to manage Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers.

Related to the Missouri tornado and flooding, our affiliate the Volunteer Center in the United Way of Greater St. Louis has activated their 211 hotline and have begun engaging volunteers in food distribution and are raising funds for their efforts through an internal auction and direct giving online.

Our emphasis with all disaster response work is to function locally, primarily through our HandsOn Action Centers, to support community resiliency through effective volunteer engagement.   We are focusing on developing affiliate capacity for disaster preparedness, response and recovery.  We develop partnerships, processes and systems to be effective resources in times of disaster.  And finally, we grow the affiliate work capacity to support the management of Spontaneous Unaffiliated Volunteers, Volunteer Reception Centers, and explore new ways HandsOn Action Centers and volunteers can be leaders in the disaster arena.

While we are continuing to assess the most immediate needs with all these disasters you can get engaged in the response in the following ways:

  • Visit HandsOn Birmingham’s website to register your interest to volunteer, to donate, and to receive more information related to the Alabama tornadoes (listing for both Birmingham and Tuscaloosa) volunteer response.
  • Visit the Volunteer Center of Morgan County who will be opening a Volunteer Reception Center in Hulaco, AL today. Click here for more info at their website. Visit the Volunteer Center of Morgan County for info on the Volunteer Reception Center .
  • Visit United Way of Greater St. Louis’ website to volunteer, donate or receive more information related to the Missouri tornado and flooding volunteer response.
  • Visit Triangle Impact’s website to volunteer, donate or receive more information related to the volunteer response to the North Carolina tornadoes.

In addition to the US disasters that hit this week, related to the recent earthquake and Tsunami, monetary support is needed as much as anything else. To donate resources directly to HandsOn Tokyo, visit the HandsOn Tokyo homepage on eBay. You can also contribute to supporting HandsOn Network’s ongoing provision of volunteer mobilization and management technical assistance to HandsOn Tokyo.

Additionally you can visit HandsOn Tokyo online to register your interest to volunteer for earthquake recovery efforts, to donate, or to receive more information related to the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami volunteer response.

Our priority in the response to the ongoing disaster recovery efforts in Japan continues to be supporting and building capacity in HandsOn Tokyo. They have a disaster relief team manager who is managing HandsOn Tokyo’s efforts and is increasing the amount of opportunities to volunteer in the recovery.

HandsOn Tokyo is collecting specific supplies requested by shelters it its service area. Needed items include:

  • Rubber work boots for men (US sizes 8.5, 9, 9.5, and 10)
  • Sweatshirts and sweat pants (US men’s sizes medium, large, and extra large)
  • Windbreaker pands and jackets (US men’s sizes medium, large, and extra large)
  • Slippers
  • Socks
  • Toolkits containing basic tools like hammers and screwdrivers
  • Large towels

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Five Ways to Keep Helping the Gulf Coast

Wednesday, April 20th, 2011

Today’s post remembering the anniversary of the Gulf Coast oil spill comes from Tammy Gordon, Director, Social Communications and Strategy at AARP. It originally appeared on the AARP blog on April 20, 2011.

As native Gulf Coast gal, I watched in horror one year ago as I saw the BP oil spill spewing into my gorgeous blue waters. The environmentalist in me worried about the birds, sea life and habitats. The foodie in me worried about the fish, oysters and shrimp that I was raised on. The human in me worried about all of the people who make their living off of the waters and what might happen to the beautiful beaches I grew up on.

Though the economic and environmental damage is still being felt today, the good news is all waters that were once closed due to the spill are now open. And there are still ways we can help. Here are five of my favorites:

1) Help kids who’s parents may be struggling due to the loss of jobs. Volunteer or donate to the Recovery School District in Lousiana. Your time or money can help kids in this special school district set up to get extra help to struggling schools.  Serve as a guest speaker at a school in New Orleans. I love volunteering in ways that use what I do well to help others. Are you a social media expert? Volunteer to teach a class of students on social media for a cause. Are you an accountant? Teach kids how to set up a budget and save for the things they want. Like to cook? Serve as a guest speaker and teach kids about healthy eating that tastes good. Everyone is good at something and can share that with others.

2.) Volunteer on-the-ground in Louisiana or Mississippi. Hands On Network is an organization is in more than 300 communities hooking people up with ways to give back. In New Orleans alone they have engaged more than 17,200 volunteers since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita alone… and they just won a grant to support coastal Lousiana communities recover from the effects of the oil spill. And the Mississippi chapter has hosted over 400 “alternative” spring breakers.

3.) Help coastal fisherman regain their way of life. On the Gulf coast, fishing isn’t just recreation or a job… its a way of life. Friends of Fisherman is supporting this way of life that often goes back seven or eight generations.

4.) Cook with gulf coast seafood and visit Gulf coast beaches. Wait. I can help. By. Eating. And. Traveling? Yes. The , joined by some of the top chefs in the country, leapt into action after the spill. They tested and certified the safety of the seafood and ensured nothing got to market that was unsafe. Today, as the Gulf seafood industry bounces back, they need all of us home cooks to support it. And the beaches are as gorgeous now as they ever were. If you haven’t experienced the sugar-squeaky white sand beaches and emerald waters, consider taking your family there on vacation. The towns are quaint, filled with Southern cham and long stretches of gorgeous coast to enjoy. [My personal favorite spots are St. George Island, Rosemary Beach and Destin in my home state of Florida.]

5.) Create some good in YOUR community. You didn’t think I’d get all the way through a volunteering post without mentioning Create The Good, our awesome community connector where you can find ways to help on whatever you care about where you live. Can’t get to the Gulf Coast? Search for river or beach clean ups near you. Can’t find one? Start one!

Tammy Gordon is the Director, Social Communications and Strategy at AARP. She’s a florida native, blog hoarder, and twitter addict. train aarp staff and volunteers on how to use social networks.

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Posted in Disaster Relief, Volunteerism | 1 Comment »