Hurricane Matthew Relief
Hurricane Matthew continues to wreak havoc in the Bahamas and the Southeast, causing hundreds of deaths in Haiti and millions in damage.
The Combined Fund Drive has worked with our member charities to conduct a special Hurricane Matthew Relief Campaign. From now until the end of October, state and higher education employees are invited to give through their paychecks to any of the charities that have been identified as being in the regions most affected by this debilitating storm.
Simply check out any of the charities below and select the gift amount that you would like to give today and you will become a part of making a difference in the region.
The American Red Cross is currently dedicating assitance to Haiti and the rest of the Carribean, and is preparing for additional impact potentially in Georgia and the Carolinas (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). Red Cross volunteers and workers are on high-alert and ready to spring into action, thanks to supporters like you.
In coordination with government and community partners, Red Crossers are preparing strategic shelter and warehouse locations, and stocking food, cots, blankets and other relief supplies to help people in harm’s way.
Catholic Relief Services is currently deploying volunteers, food and medicine to Haiti and the Carribean.
Food for the Poor is currently working to deliver food to those affected by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti.
Lutheran World Relief is responding to the immediate needs of people in Haiti affected by Hurricane Matthew, mobilizing emergency relief in collaboration with the ACT Alliance, a global faith-based humanitarian coalition, and local partners. LWR is also making plans to assist farmers in the north whose crops will likely be damaged in the storm.
We have products and partners on the ground now and will be sending more containers of aid as soon as the storm blows through.
MedShare, an international humanitarian aid organization that redistributes surplus medical supplies and equipment to developing nations, began its disaster response protocol after Hurricane Matthew hit ground in Haiti on Tuesday. The organization has a long history with healthcare facilities in the region and has sent more than 120 shipments of medical supplies and equipment to Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, and The Bahamas in the past.
Save the Children’s emergency teams, in coordination with the government other aid agencies, will work with staff and partners on the ground to assess the immediate needs and help children and families affected.
Part of the organization’s response will include setting up "child-friendly spaces" to provide children unable to go to school with a safe and protected space. Here they can receive support from trained staff and can play with other children, while their parents deal with the aftermath of the hurricane.
The Seattle-King County Disaster Team has worked in the Grand'Anse (southwest) province of Haiti since 1998 operating medical clinics. They are sending a team down to assess the clinic they operate and also provide additional medical care in the hard hit area of southwestern Haiti.
is on the ground, they will start to carry out assessments to work out the level of need, as well as the most suitable selection of aid for each community.
The Combined Fund Drive understands that many calls will be made for monetary donations during relief campaigns, so please give, but give wisely. For more resources about the charities involved in any disaster relief campaign, please visit any of the organizations below:
Combined Fund Drive Disaster Relief Special Campaign Policy:
The Washington State Combined Fund Drive knows that when disasters strike, help is needed and the CFD will always provide an avenue for our donors to give during any time of need. The process we use to determine what charities may participate in a disaster relief campaign are as follows:
- CFD staff send an email to every single active member charity in the CFD program asking who is providing services and goods to the disaster relief efforts and give 24 hours for charities to respond to our request;
- Once the 24-hour time period has elapsed, the CFD verifies that the charities who have responded to our request are members of the CFD with a current/active status at the IRS and Office of the Secretary of State Charities Division and launches the disaster relief campaign;
- Any charity that responds after the initial 24-hour period is still eligible to participate in a disaster relief campaign if they meet the required qualifications;
- Proof of charity involvement in disaster relief zones must be provided to the CFD; Proof can come in the form of press releases, statements, verification through news vendors or other means;
The Combined Fund Drive is not a policing agency and has no means to verify that charities involved in any disaster relief campaign are providing the services and goods they have stated they are providing. Charity participation in a disaster relief campaign is not an endorsement on behalf of the CFD. The Combined Fund Drive reserves the right to eliminate any charity from disaster relief campaigns if it is discovered that they are not providing services specific to the disaster relief effort.