Local officials give advice on how to help Hurricane Isaac victims

Many Winneshiek County residents have expressed their desire to help the victims of Hurricane Isaac.  But Winneshiek County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator J Bruce Goetsch wants to make sure such help is handled appropriately.

Goetsch says the best way to help is through a monetary donation.  Financial contributions to voluntary agencies can be used to purchase specific needed items on scene, which helps the local economy and prevents voluntary partners from having to transport items at great expense.

Clothing, household items, and food are best provided by well-funded voluntary agencies and not through the expensive process of collecting, sorting, packaging, transporting, receiving, sorting, and distributing of goods.   Goetsch says if you do host a collection, know what is needed; where it is needed; who will receive and distribute it; and how they want it packaged and shipped. 

Likewise, the best way to personally volunteer your time after a disaster is through affiliating with a recognized disaster-related voluntary agency.  Unconnected volunteers who show up at disaster sites are called "spontaneous unaffiliated volunteers" and often require the support of already busy agencies and officials.  It's better to volunteer through an organization, a church, or at a minimum, by connecting with the volunteer coordination offices in the state of your choice. 

For more information, visit the National Donation Management Network at http://www.ndmn.us/