Hurricane Florence might be over but her wrath will be felt for months and years to come. As home builders in the Houston metro area, we know a little about hurricanes. When Hurricane Harvey happened last year we saw first hand how devastating these natural disasters can be. People are still putting their lives back together following Hurricane Harvey. Hopefully Hurricane Florence won’t be as deadly or as damaging, though any death is too many. Our thoughts are with those who are trying to rebuild after any natural disaster.

For people not in the direct path of the storm, those who did not experience damage to their homes or work, and who do not have to deal with the aftermath flooding, it can be overwhelming. You want to help, but aren’t sure what to do.

Thankfully there are many brave souls who just dig in and get to work – the volunteers and first responders are truly heroes. If you would like to help there are many organizations you can donate your time, money and even give blood.

American Red Cross

You can donate as little as $10 to help those in need. All donations are tax deductible and it’s easy to donate on the Red Cross website at https://www.redcross.org. You can even use PayPal for extra security. Any donation helps. You can also donate blood at your local Red Cross, something they always are in need, especially after a natural disaster such as Hurricane Florence.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is also a great place to donate. You can donate to emergency services by way of the Salvation Army, donations are tax deductible. You can also donate your vehicle, and while it might not make its way to the Carolinas, it will go to someone in need.

Humane Society

Don’t forget the cats and dogs and other pets that have been displaced or lost due to the hurricane. Local shelters are overwhelmed with animals right now, if you live in the area and can foster a pet, this is a great way to help. Otherwise, a charitable donation allows organizations like the Humane Society to pay for food and sheltering of animals until they can be reunited with their owners.