| We all have seen the tragedy that has taken place on | | | | attached files, which often pose as photos of the |
| the gulf coast of the USA caused by Hurricane | | | | disaster but could actually be worms or spyware that |
| Katrina. The pictures that we are seeing are horrifying, | | | | will infect your computer. Never respond to the email |
| tragic, and overwhelming. It truly makes one think how | | | | with personal information such as Name, credit card |
| precious life truly is. As stated by the White House, | | | | information etc.4) Do not donate cash. Always write a |
| over 90 000 SQUARE MILES is affected by this | | | | personal Check and write it to the Charitable |
| disaster! In response to this disaster, all charitable | | | | organization and not to the person collecting on their |
| organizations are organizing the largest mobilization of | | | | behalf.5) Get a receipt for your donation that has the |
| resources for one single US natural disaster in the | | | | charities name on it. This can be used for a Tax |
| history of the US.As we sit in our home that is not | | | | deduction.6) If you receive a request to purchase a |
| threatened, enjoy our meals with our families and be | | | | product and some of the proceeds will go to certain |
| able to tuck our children into their safe bed at night, we | | | | charity, you need to think if you wish to support this |
| need to stop and think of those hundreds of | | | | company or not. Many of these companies are |
| thousands of people that are not able to do this and | | | | wanting to help the disaster relief, but how will you |
| may not be able to for months to come. These people | | | | know that the money collected will actually go to the |
| can not even get access to the basic necessities in | | | | charities or to the ones in need? Is the company |
| order to survive. This true desperation we are seeing, | | | | respected, is there a member of the company |
| is what will spur us into action to help those that are in | | | | affected by the disaster? Can you confirm this? Does |
| need. How can we see these pictures, stories and | | | | the company have a good standing with their |
| videos of our fellow citizens suffering and not take | | | | customers? Are they a long-term company? Confirm |
| action?With the onslaught of this natural disaster left in | | | | and research what you can before you choose to |
| the wake of Hurricane Katrina, we must realize this is | | | | make a donation. TO make a donation, you are not |
| also a time for dishonest people who pray on these | | | | required to purchase a product. If you want to give, go |
| charitable feelings of those wanting to help. We all | | | | directly to the Charity itself and donate. If you know |
| need to help in one way or another BUT please | | | | that the company is true and is working to help their |
| safeguard how you help and make sure your hard | | | | fellow employees and such, then support them!6) |
| earned dollars are put in the right hands to help the | | | | Research any donation you want to make and make |
| people that are in need.Just in the last few days, we | | | | sure the company and/or chartable organization you |
| are seeing many people "saying" they are collecting | | | | are donating or purchasing from are legit and not just |
| donations and will forward it on to the appropriate | | | | filling their pockets.If you think you may have been the |
| charities. We are seeing people making calls saying | | | | victim of a scam charity, call or log onto the FTC Web |
| they are collecting on behalf of The Red Cross, and | | | | site at or contact your local Better Business Bureau or |
| other charities. We are seeing People knocking on | | | | police department.The United States Federal |
| doors asking for donations. Because we feel the pain | | | | Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has |
| of the citizens of these affected cities, we want to | | | | compiled a list of reputable voluntary organizations that |
| help and we dig deep to do so. But we take for | | | | urgently need cash donations to assist victims of |
| granted that these calls we are receiving are from the | | | | Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states. are other |
| said charities. We take for granted that the emails we | | | | websites with key information on Hurricane Katrina |
| receive are honest and true. We take for granted that | | | | Disaster Relief and Recovery:Hurricane Katrina Official |
| all people want to help and we forget that disasters | | | | Government Website Next of Kin Registry Hospital |
| like this also bring out the dishonest people as | | | | Association (patient locator) Hurricane Survivors Read |
| well.There are many things you can do to protect your | | | | & post messages to loved ones is not written to deter |
| donation and ensure it goes to the right place. Here are | | | | you from donating. The private donations that are |
| a few things to look for when donating:1) Charitable | | | | made WILL help and are DESPERATELY needed. |
| organizations like the Red Cross, Salvation Army do | | | | Even if you can only donate $1! It is $1 more towards |
| not email, knock on doors OR phone people for | | | | the target donations that is needed to help provide |
| donations. If you have received a phone call, a knock | | | | food, water, shelter and medical attention to those |
| on your door or an email solicitation for a charitable | | | | affected by this disaster. The scope of this disaster is |
| organization for this disaster relief, the chances are it is | | | | enormous. We all need to help in one way or |
| not reputable.2) If you receive a phone call, get | | | | another.By making a donation today you are helping |
| information on the charity. Ask for their 1-800 number | | | | those in need. If we all do our part to help our fellow |
| for making donations or the website. NEVER give your | | | | man, the suffering will end sooner, the smiles will return |
| personal information on the phone when you have | | | | to their faces and the rebuilding of their lives can |
| received a phone call soliciting a donation.3) If you | | | | begin.It all starts with a helping hand. |
| receive an email regarding any disaster, never open | | | | |