Stilettos, Stoli & Scribbles ~ Served With A Twist

Good morning constant readers! No, your eyes do not deceive you, it is in fact Tuesday. I’m the one who is a day off. (As opposed to off-my-rocker, which is every day.)  Though yesterday was my day on the blog, I just couldn’t do it.  Not until I learned the fate of my family in Florida.

They are all physically safe, though the cleanup and rebuilding of their lives and livelihoods will go on for an indeterminate length of time.

We’ve all been watching and reading the news as Hurricane, now Tropical Storm, Irma barrels her way north, giving us familiar scenes of flooding and destruction left in her wake. It almost feels like we’re watching a rerun of images from the hellscape left in Texas by Harvey.  Hot on his heels, Irma had already claimed dozens of lives in the Caribbean before landing in Florida and we still don’t know what the final tally will be.

How many times have we seen the aftermath of a hurricane, a tsunami or an earthquake, whether close by or half-way around the world? Is it possible to be inundated with news and video of these events without become a little inured to it?

While I’ve always donated what I could to the relief efforts following these catastrophic events, but having done that, I went right back to my regularly scheduled life. It took a night spent watching CNN with my phone clutched in my hand, wondering what horrors my mother or brothers were enduring, and praying they’d get through them, knowing there was absolutely nothing I could do other than watch and wait, for me to truly understand that it’s always personal for someone.

I want to do more than just donate (although please know, the reputable relief organizations are urging people to give “cash, not stuff”).  I can’t physically get down there right now, but if I can help spread the word about how we can all help, by using the platform that’s available to me, then I will.

Here are some of the organizations providing “boots on the ground”, urgent relief and essential services:

Airbnb

“The company is looking for hosts with housing available in the Florida Panhandle, northern Georgia, and northwest and southeast South Carolina.”

American Red Cross

The organization is opening shelters, sending supplies and putting volunteers in place around Florida. You can donate online or text “IRMA” to 90999 to chip in $10. If you want to volunteer, read this.

Americares

Americares Hurricane Relief Fund: “For every $10 you donate today, we can provide $200 in aid—that’s the power of giving to Americares. Right now we’re responding to the urgent needs of people in Hurricane Irma’s path. We’re also still in Texas, distributing water, aid and mobilizing medical outreach with our local partners.”

American University in Antigua

…has set up a Go Fund Me page to help rebuild Barbuda, which was hit hard by the storm. The university has said it will match all donations. You can donate at the link above.

Catholic Charities USA

“…is the official disaster relief agency of the US Catholic Church. 100% of funds raised go to Harvey and Irma relief.”

Direct Relief

Direct Relief is an NGO which already has staff stationed in Miami, ready to respond to medical needs that arise across Florida. Info. on how to donate at the website.

Global Giving

A crowdfunding site raising money  “provide relief to survivors in the form of emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine in addition to longer-term recovery assistance to help residents recover and rebuild. All donations to this fund will exclusively support any necessary relief and recovery efforts from this storm in the US and Caribbean.”

Heart to Heart International

“…focuses on providing access to health care, is preparing a disaster team and Mobile Medical Unit to respond in Florida and other parts of the U.S. where Irma hits”  Text IRMA to  41444 to donate.

Project Night Night

“Helping homeless children have sweeter dreams…”

The Salvation Army

To support Salvation Army disaster relief efforts.
• Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
• Text “STORM” to 51555
• Donate online

Samaritan’s Purse

…is a non-demonimational Christian organization which “has already responded on the ground, bringing critical supplies to those affected by Irma in St. Maarten, and announced …that it is “ready to go” in Florida.”

Save the Children

“…is preparing to respond to the needs of vulnerable children and families affected by the storms”.

Volunteer Florida

“… is looking for volunteers to work in the state’s shelters and other disaster relief organizations.” Text DISASTER to 20222.

There are certainly many more organizations ready to respond so hopefully you’ll be able to find one, should you choose to, that will appeal to you.

Last, but not least, tonight, Tuesday September 12, there will be a televised benefit called “Hand in Hand for Hurricane Relief”. It was already in the works to aid Harvey’s victims when Irma decided to get in on the action. It’s being produced by the same people who handled the “One Love” benefit headlined by Ariana Grande, in support of the Manchester bombing victims. It will run for one hour on ABC, CBS, Fox, CMT and NBC and stream live on Facebook from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET then will air in each time zone during that slot.

Stepping away from the mic now. Wherever  you are, I hope you are safe, healthy and happy and have a good week.  See you next time, usual bat time, usual bat channel.