HOUSTON
Stories of hope and heroism have emerged within the news about first responders who are on the ground in Houston, working to evacuate those who remain stranded due to flooding and other hazards. Many of us not on the scene, in the hospitality industry and beyond, are wondering how we can help.
Some in our industry are already lending a hand to assist those in Houston and elsewhere in Texas that were hit hard by Hurricane Harvey. Destinations International President and CEO Don Welsh released a message to association members yesterday with a list of organizations helping to keep people safe.
“Destinations International will be making a contribution to the American Red Cross,” Welsh said. “We encourage you to take a moment and donate to one of the many organizations helping storm victims.”
Fern Exhibitions, an exhibitions services provider in Cincinnati, Ohio, set up disaster relief stations in eight cities to help collect emergency supplies.
NPR and other media outlets have noted that sending cash is often more valuable than supplies. And long-term donations can be just as important as short-term.
Update: PCMA also launched a Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to support those in the industry. U.S. Travel released a How to Help page. Most recently the EIC compiled a list of ways event professionals can help with recovery.
For those wondering how they can contribute to relief efforts right now, here are some resources:
- Here’s How You Can Help People Affected by Harvey – via NPR.
- Where to Donate to Harvey Victims (and How to Avoid Scams) – via N.Y. Times.
- Helping Out After Hurricane Harvey: Where, What & How to Donate – via Forbes.
FEMA also released an official statement on how to best help disaster survivors in Texas.
