How to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

I have never been so happy to see the sun in my entire life! Today my Facebook was flooded with pictures of the sun from my friends and family in Houston. Praise God Hurricane Harvey has moved out!

Flooded downtown is seen from JP Morgan Chase Tower after Hurricane Harvey inundated the Texas Gulf coast with rain causing widespread flooding, in Houston, Texas, U.S. August 27, 2017 in this picture obtained from social media. Mandatory credit: Christian Tycksen via REUTERS

The last couple of days have been filled with worry, prayer and heartache for everyone we know there as well as those we don’t. For readers that aren’t from Texas I truly can’t tell you what devastation lies across our state from the Coast to the metropolitan area of Houston. And it’s going to be a LONG road of recovery.

While tragedy is among us I can’t tell you how proud I am at the outpouring of support from good samaritans who rushed to bring in their boats to assist with evacuations, churches and organizations collecting food and donations to the answers across the country to our call for help. In weeks previous there was such a divide in our country but in this devastation I see so much healing.

For those readers that would like to assist in the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts I’ve shared a list below from Fortune.com that I hope might assist. Additionally, my big sister is creating #TexasStrong shirts and all proceeds will be donated to the JJ Watt Foundation. Click here to learn more and order.

Please know how appreciative we are! And I will continue to pray for all those affected. #TexasStrong

(List credited to Fortune.com)

Red Cross – The relief organization has put the call out for cash donations and is launching blood drives. If you’d prefer to give cash, you can do so online, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or, if you text “HARVEY” to 90999, you can make a $10 doantion.

City of Houston Relief Fund – After getting an influx of calls from people asking how they can help, Houston’s mayor Sylvester Turner established a relief fund accepting tax deductible donations. You can donate online with a credit card or send checks or wire money. Find additional details on the Relief Fund’s Website.

GlobalGiving – The crowdfunding site has launched a campaign to assist victims of the storm, providing supplies including food, water and medicine.

The Salvation Army – The nonprofit has launched a drive to help Harvey relief efforts. Suggested gift amounts start at $25, but the organization will take any amount.

Samaritan’s Purse – Five tractor-trailer disaster relief units are queued up to head to Texas to help as soon as conditions allow – two for Houston and others for Victoria, Rockport/Portland and Galveston/Santa Fe. You can help out by donating, in case others are needed.

Save the Children – With a focus on the most vulnerable, this charity is looking to provide cribs and shelter to displaced children, along with other items to help care for them. Donate to their relief efforts here.

Heart to Heart – While this group will welcome any donations, it’s also looking for volunteers to help lend aid to flood victims.

Feeding Texas – Want to donate food instead of cash? Feeding Texas is looking for ready-to-eat staples like pop-top meat/fish, powdered milk, cereal, canned fruit, fruit cups, peanut butter and jelly as well as cleaning supplies.

United Airlines – The carrier is offering up to 1,000 bonus miles to MileagePlus members who donate to relief efforts on its fundraising page – and matching the first $100,000. Donate $50-$99 and you’ll earn 250 bonus miles; $100-$249 will get you 500 bonus miles.