Worst Blog Ever!!

Blogs are usually fun for me to write. I often, literally, laugh out loud as I describe some past experiences, or antics of Eric, The Pond Digger. Today, however, is a different story.

As I struggle to write this blog, my emotions get the best of me. I can’t seem to control the tearing in my eyes, and my heart breaks anew, every time I get on FaceBook, or see news coverage of Houston.

The heart wrenching photos plastering my FaceBook wall of Houston refugees are killing me. People huddled in refugee centers, livestock swimming in fields, dogs and cats perched on the roofs of cars and homes, abandoned in the haste of departure, as people flee for their very lives. I saw one video of a small toddler wandering in thigh deep water, ALONE!!!

Shelter, food, and of course water for all living things, is the primary focus. I have seen some amazing people step up and help by opening their retail stores to be refugee centers, private individuals freeing abandoned animals left in flooded fields, houses, and vehicles, and veterinarians donating their time and medicine straight out of their own clinics!

My first response is, “Where can I send money?”??!?!!?!?!! I’m not close enough or capable of helping in any way but financially. I’m sure the same can be said for many of you, but you’re just not sure where to send money.

In today’s jaded society though, the challenge is, who can we send the funding to that will actually go to help victims of the hurricane, and not line pockets of a charity with 6 figure income presidents??????

I tried my best to sort through the crazy number of organizations that are pledging to help Houston. Whether giving to a local charity (local to the disaster) or a national charity, is a personal preference, but the national charities tend to help locally for a shorter time. If I’m trying to help Houston victims, and I want to insure my donation goes directly to them, a local Houston charity is the safest bet. This is what I’ve come up with.

Houston Food Bank
www.houstonfoodbank.org

United Way of Greater Houston
www.unitedwayhouston.org

Food Bank of Corpus Christi
www.foodbankcc.com

Houston Humane Society
www.houstonhumane.org/

San Antonio Humane Society
www.sahumane.org/

Plus, here are a few honorable mentions that are doing some pretty cool stuff to help people and animals;

Forgotten Horses Rescue
www.greatnonprofits.org

Best Friend’s Animal Society
www.bestfriends.org

Brazos Valley Equine out of Navosota Texas
Has been providing free medicine and veterinary care

Jim McIngvale out of Houston Texas-
He’s letting refugees LIVE in his furniture stores!!!! How cool is that?

I’m hoping that last note helps you focus on the people and animals that need help during this traumatic event. Thanks for taking the time to read this.