Good morning!

I have not been keeping up on the news of Hurricane Sandy as much as I’d like to, but it seems it has gotten worse and as I said on Sunday, Sandy is pretty relentless. Many of you who are safe are wondering how you can help. I found this on the Huff Po:

Hurricane Sandy Megastorm: How To Help

UPDATED Oct. 29, 2012; 5:50 p.m. EST

After Hurricane Sandy has caused numerous deaths throughout the Caribbean, and “Frankenstorm” threatens to slam the East Coast with conditions worse than the historic “Perfect Storm” of 1991, aid groups are taking action.

Forecasters said Thursday there’s now a 90 percent chance the East will be hit with winds, heavy rain, flooding and possibly snow starting Sunday and extending past Halloween on Wednesday, the AP reports.

“Frankenstorm,” a combination of Hurricane Sandy, an early winter storm in the West, and arctic air from the North, could cause as much as $1 billion worth of damage across the U.S. East Coast, according to the AP.

Hurricane Sandy has made landfall in the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti.

See how aid organizations are stepping in, and what you can do to help. This is a developing list.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Red Cross
The Red Cross has started a preventative campaign in Haiti, using SMS and sound trucks to provide early warning messages. Emergency response teams are also in place, ready to hand out relief supplies for up to 11,000 families. In the United States, the Red Cross has released an app that allows users to track the impending storm, receive weather alerts, directions to the nearest shelter, tools like a flashlight, strobe light, alarm, and even a one-touch “I’m Safe” button that uses social media to let family and friends know you’re safe. Learn more here.

The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has set up feeding operations in shelters along the East Coast and has stocked dozens of mobile feeding units, which the organization will deploy to heavily impacted areas once it is safe to do. In addition to providing thousands of meals, the nonprofit is also prepared to provide clean-up kits, hygiene kits, shower units, first-aid supplies and communications support. Donors may contribute $10 by text messaging the word STORM to 80888, and confirming the donation with the word, “Yes.” Learn more here.

NYC Service
Mayor Bloomberg has activated the hurricane shelter system in New York and will be in need of trained volunteers. Help volunteers at evacuation shelters and after the storm. To learn more, email nycservice@cityhall.nyc.gov.

New York Blood Center
The New York Blood Center is calling for donations to prevent any shortages after the storm hits. The organization is working with local hospitals to make sure it have adequate supply. The center needs at least 2,000 donations a day to maintain the center’s blood inventory. Learn more here.

AmeriCares
AmeriCares is preparing to deliver relief supplies like medicine, first aid kits, cleaning products and flashlights to susceptible communities along the East Coast. It has reached out to 100 health clinics, food banks and other agencies and also have aid workers ready to help. In Haiti, the organization has already provided 300 family emergency kits and are prepared to deliver water, sanitation treatment, and medical supplies if need be. Learn more here.

Feeding America
As Hurricane Sandy hits the eastern seaboard, the Feeding America network of food banks and agencies is prepared to deliver truckloads of food, water and supplies to communities in need, through its network of more than 200 food banks and the agencies it serves. Its food banks will also set up additional emergency distribution sites as they are needed. It is anticipated that roughly 25-30 food banks will be impacted by this storm. In times of disaster, Feeding America supports immediate and long-term recovery for individuals and families in need of food assistance. Learn more here.

Operation USA
The Los Angeles-based international relief agency will provide emergency aid to Cuba and Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Operation USA will provide access to safe water and support for clinics and hospitals and assess shelter, safe water, food and other needs. Learn more here or donate by phone at 1.800.678.7255, by check made out to Operation USA, 7421 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Text AID to 50555 and donate $10 to Operation USA’s disaster relief efforts.

Direct Relief
Direct Relief has placed seven hurricane preparedness packs in the Caribbean, each containing medicine and supplies to treat a variety of traumatic and chronic conditions that can support 5,000 people for a month. Packs have also been placed along the U.S. East Coast including 300 clinical partners along the storm’s projected path. Direct Relief works with 70 countries to provide disaster relief and preparedness during the most critical hours after a natural disaster. Learn more here.

Save The Children
Save The Children provides child-friendly space kits, including diapers and hygiene items. The organization also maintains a U.S. Emergencies Fund, that allow for disaster planning, emergency preparedness, response and recovery work and psychological support. Save the Children says it’s committed to the same level of support for the impending storm. Learn more here.

Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon, which utilizes the skills of military veterans to assist in responding to and recovering from natural disasters, has teams of highly skilled military veterans working with local authorities preparing to respond to the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in communities from Washington, D.C., to Boston. In New York City, Team Rubicon veterans are assisting the city’s mobile assessment teams as well as coordinating joint operations in the city’s Emergency Operations Center. This not only provides a skilled and motivated work force, but provides a new mission for America’s veterans, allowing them to continue to serve here at home and abroad. Learn more here.

International Medical Corps
With Haiti under a state of emergency, the International Medical Corps has teams in place with emergency kits, fuel and flashlights and mobile medical units on standby. In 2010 the International Medical Corps had teams on the ground treating within 22 hours after the earthquake. Since then it has established cholera treatment, primary health care, water and sanitation, and disaster preparedness programs. Learn more here.

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Readers: In my opinion, this hurricane is not a fluke…not a one-of-a-kind megastorm…this is a sign of global warming. Many don’t believe in global warming…mother nature’s change of course because of human impact, but my gut tells me that this will be the first of many, unless we really look at how the things we do affect our planet, and make some serious changes.

My good thoughts go out to the millions without electricity and to those that have had to evacuate their homes. I wish safety and good health to you and yours.

Peace & Love…

Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)

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