However,
there are stories of hope and heroism in regard to these storms. While
thousands of people have been negatively impacted by these storms, there are
many quiet heroes lending helping hands to those in need. The human spirit and urge to “do something”
to help victims during crises are alive and well.
Big
Business, Big Hearts
Businesses
large and small have suffered the consequences of these super storms. From Mom
and Pop shops, to SeaTREK operators, to major corporations, crushing winds and
rising water levels have caused businesses to cease operation. However, many
businesses have also stepped forward to help those in need. Cruise lines, who have had to cancel thousands
of vacations and remove ships from island ports, have come forward to offer
assistance. Royal Caribbean sent its ship, “Majesty of the Seas” to pick
up evacuees and take them to Puerto Rico. Norwegian Cruise Lines is utilizing
their “Norwegian Sky” ship to carry much-needed supplies from Miami to St.
Thomas. Carnival Cruise Lines is sending 11 ships to make 36 deliveries
throughout the hard-hit island regions. Additionally, Carnival has donated $1 million to disaster relief
efforts. Carnival Chairman, Micky Arison, and his wife Madeleine are also
contributing $1 million from their foundation.
Large
companies are stepping forward with millions of dollars to assist storm
victims. Walmart has pledged up to $20 million in cash, products and matching
donations, while Verizon has contributed $10 million. On Friday, tech
billionaire Michael Dell pledged $36 million to relief efforts.
Citgo, the petroleum company, is giving $3 million to relief efforts in
Houston, while it’s competitor ConocoPhillips made a $2.5 million donation to
both the Red Cross and the United Way of Greater Houston. You can learn more
about large businesses and how they are helping with recovery efforts here: http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/30/news/companies/hurricane-harvey-corporate-donations/index.html
Celebrities Step It Up
JJ Watt, a Texans Defensive End, began a page on YouCaring, to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Harvey. He
initially set a $500,000 goal, which was quickly eclipsed. At this time the
site has raised over $32 million, including a $100,000 donation from Watt
himself. And, Houston Rockets owner, Leslie
Alexander, initially pledged $4 million to relief efforts, matching the teams’
donation, but upped that to $10 million.
Singer Edie Brickell and husband Paul Simon gave $1 million to Harvey
relief efforts, focusing on the smaller towns surrounding the Houston
area, medical emergencies and restoration of homes as priorities.
Actress Kristen Bell, who is currently filming in Miami, not
only organized hotel rooms for a stranded family, she also entertained seniors
in a hotel by organizing bingo games and performing song and dance routines.
Former NFL
Quarterback Tim Tebow stopped by several
Florida shelters, offering a mental break and lifting spirits of Irma evacuees.
Several celebs banded together and raised funds via a telethon. Houston native Beyoncé joined forces
with Oprah Winfrey, Justin Bieber, George
Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Stevie Wonder and Barbra Streisand and raised over
$44 million dollars to support Harvey victims, via “Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief".
People Helping People
While big
businesses and well-known faces are assisting by donating time and money,
others without the ability to donate financially on a large scale are making a
difference in other ways. Airbnb.com
hosts are opening up their rental homes to storm victims, free of charge.
PinecrestBakery passed out coffee to everyone waiting in line for gas at a nearby
station, and provided food to National Guard police officers on duty in
storm-riddled Miami. Small businesses in Denton, Texas have banded together to
help victims of Harvey by collecting donations and offering free services.
Truly
awe-inspiring, Sister Margaret Ann, a nun in Miami Dade, wielded her chainsaw
to cut trees and clear neighborhood roadways!
Animals and
Wildlife
In addition to helping human
victims, animals have also benefited from relief efforts. PetSmart is donating
$1 million to animal welfare agencies that have been working to rescue and relocate homeless
pets in the storm-ravaged areas. These animal welfare organizations include the
Houston SPCA, the SPCA of Texas, Rescue Bank, and Houston PetSet. Another way that the pet retailer is helping out during this disaster is to provide
donations for pet food and supplies.
In Florida,
Zoo residents were evacuated to temporary enclosures, including 250 animals
that were stored safely in Key West’s city jail. And, amid the two back-to-back storms, the Humane Society of theUnited States has relocated 1,500 dogs and cats from the storm zones to various
states, including as far away as New Jersey.
Individuals
made amazing efforts to help animals. Betty Walter of Houston rounded up four of her own dogs, a handful of foster dogs
awaiting adoption, as well as some friends’ and neighbors’ dogs into her care.
As they awaited rescue, the group stowed away in her attic to avoid rising
floodwaters. Walter even fashioned some makeshift stairs to get a 120-lb. Great
Pyranees up to safety. The group was later evacuated by neighbors via a rescue boat. Read about Betty here.
Perhaps the most famous, non-pet animal rescue so far, is of a hawk named Harvey. Harvey climbed into a taxicab to shelter from the storm — and a video of this went viral. Harvey is now being cared for by staff of the Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Centerhttps://www.twrcwildlifecenter.org/, who are assessing his injuries and believe he wouldn't have survived the storm without rescue. Watch the video featuring Harvey here.
You Can Be
a Savior, Too!
You can help storm victims and be a hero to those who are suffering the
consequences of Harvey and Irma. Check out these organizations:
Funds:
Volunteer:Voluntary Organizations Active in
Disaster (VOAD) is organizing volunteers for disaster relief.
Small gestures can make a huge difference to stressed evacuees. Share
this with friends and families. Let the victims of Hurricane Harvey and
Hurricane Irma know that they are not forgotten!
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