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Giving Guide 2020: For Those Recovering From Natural Disasters

Hurricane season 2020 devastated so many lives. In addition, wildfires in the Western United States were fierce. As we look to the Holidays, we at Give InKind want to take a few moments to remember the thousands of people whose lives were upended by hurricanes and wildfires in the United States and beyond. As families scramble to regroup, the holidays may be leaner than usual. Feel free to send gift cards so that parents can select presents for children – to replace old favorites now lost. 
Ret. Captain Troy Haley was on the ground as the representative for the New York Army National Guard for Hurricane Sandy. Haley has worked in numerous natural disasters and reminds that the needs after the storm last for a long while. Houses that are not properly cleaned following flooding risk mold contamination – which causes multiple problems down the road. Mucking out houses and providing regular cleaning is helpful.
Haley reminds that many who suffer the longer term effects of rebuilding are the elderly or families who lack resources. He reminds people to pay special attention to the elderly and the infirm.  (Flood insurance is a tricky thing – many people don’t have as much as they should and some don’t have any).
Justin Hogarth, who was a first responder as a Foreman for Central Hudson (a Fortis Company) for the Caribbean following Hurricanes Maria and Irma reminds that gift cards to local hardware shops are useful. So too are tarps to secure shelter. Hogarth remembers people in real need of work boots so that they could safely begin rebuilding. Consider sending a pair using an Amazon gift card.
As a general rule, as the storms recede into the past, many who experienced them continue to live them daily for months and sometimes years. It is a traumatic event to lose the sum total of possessions, home – it unmoors people. Making sure to remember their situation is a gift indeed these holidays.
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Merry Maids Cleaning Service Gift Card

Everyone loves a clean house. That’s about all there is to say about that. To learn whether Merry Maids operates where your recipient lives, click here.

Why We Love This Gift: Thorough cleaning goes a long way after a catastrophic loss. As people dig out remembering to keep a house clean avoids problems in the long term and also lifts their spirits. Says Troy Haley, First Responder for Hurricane Sandy:

“After Sandy, there were homes that still had water in the basement a month after the storm.  Homes that were just mold ridden because the owner was too old or infirm – or just too overwhelmed to know what to do or how to do it.   This created huge problems.”

What to Express in Your Card: I’m with you in spirit. Thinking of you constantly.

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Marshalls eGift Card

Marshalls Gift Cards – premium clothes at outlet prices. What’s not to like?

Find the Marshalls nearest to you here.

Why We Love This Gift: We love this gift because it is versatile. This gift enables the recipient to make their own selection from overflow design options. For people whose lives have been impacted by hurricanes and wildfires this year, the damage to possessions is significant. Water damage from heavy flooding and smoke damage destroy wardrobes to the tune of thousands of dollars. Justin Hogarth, a Caribbean first responder and Central Hudson Foreman reminds that that clothing appropriate for worship would always be appreciated as many people lose everything and want to continue to seek comfort in faith.

 


Give InKind does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We have an affiliate relationship with many of the advertisers on our site, and may receive a commission from any products purchased from links in this article. See Terms & Conditions.

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