Help Midwest Flood Victims

If you don't live in the American midwest, or in another area where rising waters have destroyed all you own, it may be hard to imagine leaving behind your home, the things you love, and maybe even the animal companions who depend on you in a sudden evacuation. Finding yourself waist-high in a toxic soup, trying to get yourself and your loved ones to safety. Bunking down in a temporary shelter with little more than the clothes on your back, not knowing what comes next. These are the hardships our fellow citizens are enduring in Iowa and surrounding states right now, and here are a few things you can do to help:

If you live in the area...

Grab some friends and volunteer to sandbag or help clean up once the waters recede. Find out where and how to pitch in at any of these three sites:
WGEM Quincy, Illinois
KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2008flood.org

Can you take in someone’s animal companion temporarily, as a foster caretaker, while they are in a shelter that doesn’t accommodate dogs and cats? If not, local shelters are accepting donations of goods as well; read about the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center’s needs here.


Whether you live near or far...
Ask your local coffeehouse or bookstore to host an evening of readings and/or music around the theme of rising waters and pass a hat for donations to be sent to one of these relief organizations:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
Mennonite Disaster Services

If you have a Web site or blog, download a Red Cross donation button and post it on your site.

Inform yourself, then tell a friend. Check out these up-to-the-minute reports, where you'll find photos, video and more:
Topix Midwest Floods report
Humane Society of the United States blog
American Red Cross blog

Remember, no effort is too small. You can make a difference in another's struggle and turn rising waters into a river of hope.

Make a Difference in Myanmar

Eleven days after a cyclone devasted Myanmar, relief efforts are finally beginnng to make a bit of progress. While restrictions on reporters are limiting the amount of photos and video coming out of the country, those images that have emerged depict extraordinary suffering. If you are moved to help, here are some simple options:

Use the press releases and other information at the UN Refugee Agency's Web site to write a letter to the editor of your local paper, asking readers to help.

Buy graduation, wedding or Father's Day gifts at heartof.com or iGive.com and designate Myanmar-involved World Vision, Save the Children or the International Rescue Committee as your chosen charity. A percentage of your purchases from popular retailers will be donated to your designated cause at no extra expense to you.

Tell a teacher about the UN Refugee Agency’s resources for classrooms. Kids can then come up with their own ideas for reaching out to Myanmar's children.

Support the efforts of UNICEF by using Windows Live™ Messenger or Windows Live Hotmail®, Each time you use these free services, Microsoft donates a portion of ad revenue to the organization you choose.

Download a CARE International ringtone; remind yourself and your companions to take meaningful action every time your phone rings.

Cash donations allow relief organizations to purchase more than individuals can, buy locally from survivors, and direct aid to where it's needed most. Here are some reputable aid groups that are accepting donations for their work in Myanmar:

World Food Programme:
CARE International:
UN Refugee Agency: