AIDS Organizations of Ontario

AIDS Organization of Windsor, Ontario

American Cancer Society

American Red Cross

Animal Poison Control

Center for Disease Control

Colorectal Screening Program

Disability & Emergency Preparedness

Evolution Atlanta

Family Communications Plan

The FBI

The Federal Emergency Management Agency

The Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention

Harvard Health Site (cancer) in Spanish

Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Abuse

Maryland Emergency Management Agency

The Mayo Clinic

To Report a Child Missing

Nat. Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

PFLAG of Canada

PFLAG USA

Photographs of Missing Children

Poison Prevention Control

U.S.D.A. Forest Service

International Red Cross

Red Cross Emergency Tips

Canadian Family Violence information

The Triangle Foundation Michigan

The Family Violence & Sexual Assault Institute

Youth Pride - Gay Black

Women’s Domestic Violence Facts

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Here are pointers to consider before donating goods, money or
time to help with the storm recovery effort:

* Volunteer wisely to help others. In a community struggling
to recover from a disaster, an influx of unexpected or
unneeded volunteers and donations can make the process even
more difficult. Before traveling to the disaster area, learn
if and when your skills are needed. Discuss with volunteer
organizers how your needs for food, water and shelter will
be met while you are volunteering.
* Confirm the need before collecting. Donors should be wary of
anyone who claims that "everything" is needed. Many groups
have been disappointed that their efforts and the goods they
collected were not appreciated. A community hit by disaster
does not have time or resources to dispose of unneeded
donations. Get precise information before collecting any
donated goods.
* Financial contributions are preferred. Cash donations can be
used to meet victims' specific needs more quickly. Donations
of food, clothing and other items have to be stored and
distributed, costing charitable organizations valuable time
and money that could be used to help victims directly.
* Donate goods through an experienced organization. Some
relief agencies may have the structure in place to store and
distribute donated goods. To prevent waste, donations of
goods should be made only to agencies that have requested
specific items.

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4-30-2008

The State of Virginia

Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court
Richmond, Virginia 23236
Phone (8:15-5:00) 804-897-6500
Phone (24-hour) 804-674-2400

www.vaemergency.com

Rex Griffin Pyle
Web Coordinator * Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court * Richmond, Virginia 23236
804.897.6500 x6511 * 804.897.6626 (fax)
www.readyvirginia.gov

For more on donating to victims of disasters in Virginia, go to
www.vaemergency.com.

Tornados Hit Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - When disaster hits local communities, many concerned citizens want to help. Frequently, donations of food and clothing begin pouring into areas that are not ready to sort and distribute items. A better way to assist victims of disasters is to make financial contributions to local charities or faith-based organizations that are responding to the situation.

"We know that many Virginians want to reach out to those
affected by yesterday's storms and tornadoes," said Michael
Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of
Emergency Management. "The fastest way to help is to give money to a recognized charity or organization."
Cash donations help organizations avoid the labor and expense of sorting, packing, transporting and distributing donated goods.

Also, voluntary relief agencies can use cash to meet victims'
needs more quickly.

Following is a list of several relief organizations currently
serving the victims of the storms in southeast Virginia and
accepting donations. Donations should be designated for April Tornado Response and Recovery and can be made through local offices and some Web sites.

American Red Cross http:// www.redcross.org - Suffolk, Southeast, Petersburg and Greater Richmond Chapters
Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmy.org
Federation of Virginia Food Banks http://www.foodbankonline.org
Catholic Charities of Eastern Virginiahttp:// www.cceva.org
Lutheran Disaster Response & Lutheran Family Services of
Virginia http://www.ldr.org
Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia http://www.sbcv.org
Virginia Baptist Mission Board http://www.vbmb.org
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance http://www.pcusa.org
Virginia United Methodist Church Conference Disaster Response
http://www.vaumc.org
Adventist Community Services http://www.communityservices.org
Virginia Beach Society for the Preventions of Cruelty to Animals
http://www.vbspca.com
The Humane Society of the United States http://www.hsus.org/disaster
United Way of Central Virginia http://www.unitedwaycv.org
United Way of the Virginia Peninsula http://www.uwvp.org

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