In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, relief organizations from across the country are scrambling to lend aid to those stricken by the storm's fury.
As we all know all too well, these groups need money. But equally important is their need for volunteers to help man phones, package supply kits, organize travel plans, and a thousand other tasks that they don't normally have to face.
This is where you can step in.
Take a look at the list of organizations after the flip and pledge to volunteer at least five hours a week until efforts have normalized and reconstruction has begun. These groups need your time and energy, far more than your canned goods and hand-me-down blankets.
Please, beyond making donations, would you also give of your time and hands? That's the kind of effort that will help save lives and restore the Gulf Coast.
And please, if you know of other groups needing local volunteers, add them in the comments.
Relief Organizations:
Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW or https:/www.redcross.org
Episcopal Relief & Development: 1-800-334-7626 or
http://www.er-d.org/
United Methodist Committee on Relief: 1-800-554-8583 or
http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/emerge...urricanes/2005/
Salvation Army: 1-800-SAL-ARMY or
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Catholic Charities: 1-800-919-9338 or
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
FEMA Charity tips: http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster:
http://www.nvoad.org/
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:
http://www.spca.org/
Oxfam America: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/