Cash Donations Encouraged for Florida’s Tropical Storm Debby Survivors
TROPICAL STORM DEBBY UPDATE: Thursday, June 28, 2012, 3:00 p.m.
CONTACT: Public Information (ESF 14), (850) 921-0217 www.FloridaDisaster.org
Tallahassee – The State Emergency Response Team and Volunteer Florida encourage prospective donors who would like to assist Floridians impacted by Tropical Storm Debby to make cash donations with established disaster relief organizations.
“Established relief organizations are essential right now as we work to assist Tropical Storm Debby survivors,” said State Coordinating Officer Bryan W. Koon. “Cash donations are the best way for these organizations to help survivors as quickly as possible.”
“We are so thankful for Americans across the country who have expressed their desire to help Floridians in this time of need,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Chester Spellman. “Cash donations help to avoid the labor and expense of sorting donated goods, and they also provide versatility to meet immediate needs.”
As the lead agency for volunteer and donations management for disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, Volunteer Florida offers the following tips on how to help survivors wisely:
CASH – Financial gifts are the best way to immediately help survivors. Donate to an established relief organization. For a complete list of established relief organizations, visit:http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org/donate.html
CONFIRM – A community hit by disaster does not have the time, staffing or money to dispose of unneeded donations. Volunteers should confirm their need before traveling to impacted areas.
CONNECT – with a local relief agency or local volunteer center for volunteer opportunities.
Call the Florida Volunteer and Donation Hotline for additional information: 1-800-FL-HELP-1 (1-800-354-3571).
The Governor’s Commission on Community Service, Volunteer Florida, was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The Commission administers Florida AmeriCorps and National Service programs; coordinates volunteers and donations in a disaster; and inspires Floridians to serve their communities. For more information, visit: www.volunteerflorida.org.
For additional information on response to and recovery from Tropical Storm Debby, call the Florida Emergency Information Line at 1-800-342-3557. The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 – November 30. To GET A PLAN! visit www.FloridaDisaster.org. For the latest information on the 2012 Hurricane Season, follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/flsert and on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.
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The Governor’s Commission on Community Service, Volunteer Florida, was established in 1994 by the Florida Legislature to administer grants under the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The Commission grants funds to Florida AmeriCorps and National Service programs; coordinates volunteers in a disaster; and inspires everyone from youths to seniors to people with disabilities to serve their communities. For more information, visit:www.volunteerflorida.org.
AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service each year and administers President Obama’s national service initiative United We Serve. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and apply online by visiting AmeriCorps.gov.