It seems whenever there is a time of crisis American people step up to offer help and assistance, even more some when the devastation happens at home. You may not be able to head out to one of the East Coast towns and help with clean up and rebuilding but there are still ways you can help. Also, please don’t be fool by those scams out there because as sad as they are, they do exist.

One sure way to know you’re helping is by donating to the American Red Cross. You have multiple options here you can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or text the word “RED CROSS” to 90999 and you’ll make a $10 donations you can also send a donation to your local Red Cross.  Your monetary donation can and will make the biggest and most immediate impact, for more information visit their website www.redcross.org. At this time the Red Cross is also urging immediate blood and platelet donations to support the blood needs of those affected, the Central Illinois chapter is at 311 W. John H Gwynn Jr Ave. Peoria, 61605.  

Another reliable agency is the Salvation Army, they are currently serving those along the East Coast with food, clean-up kits along with emotional and spiritual care. To contribute you can donate online www.salvationarmyusa.org, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769) or text “STORM” to 80888 for a $10 donation. To send by mail make sure to write on the check “2012 Hurricane Season".

People are not the only ones effect by this natural disaster so are our fuzzy four legged family members. For that we turn to the Humane Society of the United States, who is currently out there fielding calls to help people find pet-friendly shelters and donating additional supplies to shelters that are taking in Sandy animals. To contribute visit their website www.humanesociety.org. Or you can also donate to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) their website is aspca.org their responders are current offering assistance to families, delivering supplies, crates and food to evacuation centers where hundreds of animals are being housed.

~Anna Kinkade