Comments on: Iowa Flood: How You Can Help

By: Leslie Teltoe

Leslie Teltoe — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:16:23 +0000

If you are looking for ways to volunteer, or need help from the floods (ie. distribution site of donations, social services, etc.) please visit the Citizen Action Team Relief Database. We have over 150 facilities entered for the affected area of flooding in IA, as well as other disasters impacting the United States. It’s a great place for donors, disaster relief folks and survivors to make matches of what is needed and see what is available, whether you are trying to rebuild your life or make an impact for a family in need.

We also offer great volunteer opportunities that do not require you to be at ‘ground zero’. Become a virtual volunteer! If you can surf on the internet, talk on the phone and enter information, this is a simple but significant way to make an impact for our fellow neighbors recover and get back to a normal life again.

Thank you for being in service and our prayers and thoughts are with Iowans.

Leslie Teltoe
National Director/Citizen Action Team Relief Database

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:52:42 +0000

FYI – Help victims of the flood at http://www.MicroGiving.com.

Victims of the flood create a profile and you can choose and give directly to a recipient of your choice via PayPal.

Victim of the flood, and need help??? Create a MicroGiving.com account and start receiving donations today!

Check out Al’s (Red Frog) MicroGiving profile!!!
http://www.microgiving.com/profile/redfrog

By: Vadim

Vadim — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:11:16 +0000

You should also check out this campaign: https://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/help-nathan-and-tara-rebuild

We’re trying to raise $500 to help a family rebuild their home, and we’re at $190 right now. If you’re interested in helping some victims of the Iowa flood please consider giving $5 or $10 — it would only take a second.

Good luck everyone.

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:59:00 +0000

Hands On Disaster Response (HODR), a volunteer driven, 501(c)3 nonprofit, is accepting volunteers and donations to support recovery efforts in response to record breaking floods in the Midwestern US. On June 23rd HODR announced the opening of Project Cedar Rapids, which will run for 30 days and provide volunteer assistance to communities affected by the flooding. HODR has begun work in Cedar Rapids and Palo, Iowa, where we will be aiding residents in flood recovery.

To learn more about how you can help visit http://www.hodr.org. We do not charge a participation fee to volunteer. You get yourself here, and in return we provide shelter, food, and a rewarding and unique volunteer experience. There is no minimum or maximum stay – join us for one day, one week or one month!

We will be working alongside residents, helping with the gutting of homes, and will remain open and flexible to the changing needs of the communities. No previous experience is necessary. Our minimum age is 18 years old, unless accompanied by a parent/guardian.

Please contact us at info@hodr.org for more information before coming.

By: Maryann G

Maryann G — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:39:03 +0000

I am in Massachusetts and have some plus size clothing I would like to send to Iowa. Can someone provide me with where I could mail it?? Thanks!

By: kakeline

kakeline — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:41:23 +0000

thanks for bringing how to help to light… i live in iowa city and it’s been a horrendous experience!

By: almostgotit.com

almostgotit.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:43:31 +0000

Cedar Rapids got the most international press, but Iowa City was hit very hard, too. I was staying in the campus “Iowa House Hotel” for a writing conference and was evacuated fairly last week (we were sort of at ground zero for the flood there), and it has been difficult to find more news about the situation since I managed to get back to Tennessee. I’ve posted several pictures on my blog of the sandbagging efforts I witnessed, along with a video I found of the way the university campus looked yesterday, when the river crested. You can see pics and vid here.

http://www.almostgotit.com/2008/06/17/photo-essay-the-iowa-flood/

By: flossie

flossie — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:11:23 +0000

For fans of Iowa City:

The Johnson County Crisis Center had to evacuate–they run a food bank, so there was a LOT of moving of cans of food. They do great work, and have been scrambling to keep up with the increased need while in the midst of their own evac.

http://www.jccrisiscenter.org/

The Iowa City Animal Shelter also had to evacuate all the animals to a safe location, as well as take in pets of those evacuating their homes.

http://www.icanimalcenter.org/

By: rabrab

rabrab — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:54:58 +0000

Here’s the deal, folks: I live in Rock Island. That’s 60 miles from Iowa City. I’ll make a delivery run. I own a Suburban, so I can take a substantial amount of stuff in one shot.

I will now step back and let y’all discuss.

By: Brenda Svendsen

Brenda Svendsen — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:20:43 +0000

Finally, someone I can pass info onto. I went through flash flooding in the Winona, MN area exactly ten months ago, We had water filling in our basement and up seven feet on the main floor. The good news is we moved back in two months ago after living ina FEMA trailer. Things people need to know who want to help: bring large containers you can buy at Target. Things will need to be cleaned and you need something sturdy to transport them in. Everything needs to be bleached. Clothes can usually be saved, furniture not. There’s actually a lot you can save. If books are only minor damaged put them in a plastic ziploc bag and freeze them. Same with photos., I was able to save almost ALL of my photos and they sat in waTER FOR THREE days. YOu don’t even need to clkean the photos or books. Just get them in the freezer. Dishes, glass, etc. too can be saved. I wish I had tried to save more. Photo frames were saved and most bedding and towels. When you have to replace electronics, etc., it isnice to save as much of this stuff as you can. It sounds like people had warning to put the valuables uphigh.
Good luck! I plan to come down to mud out when the water recedes.