On August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Category 4 Hurricane in Texas. Over the weekend, it brought with it devastating flooding and destruction. See full article from New York Times here.

“This event is unprecedented & all impacts are unknown & beyond anything experienced,” ~National Weather Service

The greatest anticipated needs after a natural disaster are typically for medical assistance, shelter, clean water, and relief supplies.  The long-term needs of many communities are even more critical as communities rebuild and economies recovery.

Whenever a natural disaster strikes, one of the resources we offer our employees year-round is a one-stop list of King County Employee Giving Program nonprofits that are responding.  Workplace Giving dollars are incredibly valuable for these organizations.  They help them to plan for the unexpected and invest in long-term recovery.  As more nonprofits are confirmed they will be added to this page.

American Red Cross 9343 – The American Red Cross is working closely with the entire response community, including our government and community partners, to operate emergency shelters and coordinate readiness and response efforts to provide lifesaving relief to those in need. Since Hurricane Matthew first threatened the United States, Red Cross, and community shelters have provided nearly 70,000 overnight stays. We have mobilized over 3,000 Disaster worker (many of which are volunteers) and have activated half of our response vehicle fleet. The Disaster Response and Recovery are just underway. Read full bulletin update here.

AmeriCares 3540- AmeriCares is an emergency response and global health organization committed to saving lives and building healthier futures for people in crisis around the world providing emergency medicine and supplies. Right now, AmeriCares is in Texas, distributing water, aid and mobilizing medical outreach with our local partners. Thousands of people are in desperate need of aid, medicine and basic supplies.

Best Friends Animal Society 9132 – Best Friends Animal Society operates a Network Partner program that connects almost 2,000 smaller non-profit animal rescue groups to resources, including funding, to save more animals. As soon as we heard about Hurricane Harvey, Best Friends immediately started contacting our Network Partners along the Texas coast to determine what they needed. To assist with rescue efforts in the area, Best Friends’ small emergency response team is deploying to help those in need of immediate assistance, focusing on animal search and rescue. In addition to our emergency response team, Best Friends has deployed a team of experts in animal sheltering, handling and transport to the area. Our staff will help affected Network Partners with supplies, sheltering and transport, as well as other needs as they may arise. Best Friends has activated our disaster relief fund. We are assessing our Network Partner needs and are prepared for support them both financially and with teams on the ground. Gifts made to this fund will be used exclusively for Best Friends’ relief work to help animals during this and other disasters.

Samaritan’s Purse 1563- Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian relief agency led by Franklin Graham, providing food, medicine, clothing, shelter, and other emergency assistance to victims of war, disease and natural disasters. Two Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief units are now in Texas to help residents as they continue to struggle with rain, flooding, and destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey. Soon we will have a total of five of these tractor trailers in the state, setting up volunteer bases around Victoria, Rockport/Portland, Galveston/Santa Fe, and two in Houston.

Save the Children 3534- Our Mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives. Hurricane Harvey’s punishing rains, fierce winds and raging floods have left a wake of devastation. Vulnerable children and their families have been forced to evacuate their homes, not knowing whether they’ll still be standing when they return. Our emergency  are working around the clock to provide family-friendly supplies and services to Hurricane Harvey survivors.

The Salvation Army 9377 – The Salvation Army is providing food, shelter, clothing, and emotional and spiritual care for those impacted by the storm and for first responders. Salvation Army mobile emergency feeding and hydration vehicles and personnel are delivering service to the affected areas. Service will continue for as long as is necessary.