With the States of Texas and Louisiana still reeling from Hurricane Harvey, which crashed into the U.S. on Friday evening and is now swallowing entire communities along its path, many readers may be eagerly looking for ways to help. In order to help the people in affected areas to recover, we have compiled the following links to important information concerning volunteer and donation opportunities in Texas and Louisiana:

Cash Donations

For many individuals, making monetary donations may be the best way to make a big impact. American individuals, estates, foundations, and corporations contributed an estimated $390.05 billion to U.S. charities in 2016, according to Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s, “Giving USA 2017: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2016.” Here are some links to established organizations that are accepting cash donations:

American Red Cross - Central & South Texas Region - Hurricane Harvey Response Info
Texas Disaster Relief Fund
The Salvation Army
The Humane Society of the United States
The Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART)
The State of Louisiana’s Volunteer Louisiana - Volunteer & Donation Information
American Red Cross – Louisiana Region

Volunteer hours

Volunteering may be the best option for those who prefer a hands-on approach. Approximately 62.6 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2014 and September 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here are some links to established organizations that are seeking volunteers:

The United Way
The State of Louisiana’s Volunteer Louisiana - Volunteer Information
American Red Cross - Central & South Texas Region - Hurricane Harvey Response Info
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD)
Corporation for National Community & Service
Citizen Corps
Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (TVOAD)

Tips for Safely Volunteering or Donating Post-Disaster

Although both local and national non-profit organizations may be in dire need of both financial donations and volunteer labor, experts caution that it is important to do some research before clicking the Donate or Volunteer buttons. Here are some links to established organizations that are offering tips for post-disaster giving:

FEMA’s Volunteer & Donate Responsibly Information
Charity Navigator’s Tips for Giving in Times of Crisis

As a Texas-based public adjusting and disaster recovery firm, Jansen/Adjusters International’s staff has been actively involved with many local charities -- including Toys for Tots, the Galveston County Apartments Association, and the Texas Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (TAPIA) -- in both a volunteer and fundraising capacity.

We at Jansen/Adjusters International want to offer our thoughts and prayers to everyone in our community who has been affected by Hurricane Harvey. As a public adjusting and disaster recovery consulting firm, we understand the extreme strain that local residents are facing this week. I’m sure that both donations and volunteers will be greatly appreciated as our community faces a long and challenging road to recovery.

Art Jansen
Chief Executive Officer at Jansen/Adjusters International