[NFBWATLK] National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund

[Marci Carpenter]

Several people have asked me about helping our colleagues and other blind people affected by Hurricane Harvey. Yesterday I saw a Facebook picture taken in front of Norma and Glen Crosby’s home. It showed piles of furniture and other debris which had ben removed from their house. Two signs in front of the debris read “Texas Strong”  and “Alvin Proud” (They live in Alvin, south of Houston.) Today I received the following message from President Riccobono about NFB efforts to help blind people affected by the hurricane.

National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Project:
During the past week, many members of the National Federation of the Blind have reached out with offers of support for blind individuals impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We have been asking that you hold those offers of support until we could coordinate with our Texas affiliate, determine what needs exist, and develop a plan that most effectively marshals resources to meet the needs of blind people in impacted communities. We are now prepared to mobilize the National Federation of the Blind’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Below are the things you need to know and ways that you can best help.
·         The National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Harvey Relief Project will be managed by Norma Crosby, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas. Norma will be assisted by our national staff as needed.

·         How you can help:

o   Donate to our Harvey Relief Fund which we commit to only using for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. We will accept:

§  Gift cards to major retailers, because they are easier to share than supplies. We encourage gift cards from Target, Walmart, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Amazon, and Bed Bath and Beyond.

§  Transportation credits/gift cards for Uber and Lyft to provide transportation assistance.

§  Financial contributions either online <http://www.nfbtx.org/donate.php> (be sure to write “Harvey Relief Fund” in the note field) or write a check to the National Federation of the Blind of Texas with “Harvey Relief Fund” in the memo line.

o   Adopt a family: If you would like us to match your affiliate/chapter with a specific family that you can help, please reach out to Norma Crosby.

o   Help us find families that include blind individuals by sharing the following information via email or on social media:

§  The National Federation of the Blind wants to help! If you, or a blind person you know, has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, please reach out to the National Federation of the Blind for support from our Hurricane Harvey Relief Project. Call (281) 968-7733, email ncrosby at nfbtx.org <mailto:ncrosby at nfbtx.org>, or send us a message on our Facebook page.

§  Here is a sample tweet you can cut and paste into Twitter:

If a blind person you know has been impacted by Hurricane Harvey, email the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Project ncrosby at nfbtx.org <mailto:ncrosby at nfbtx.org> or DM @NFB_Voice. 

 
Send all donations to the NFB Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund to National Federation of the Blind of Texas, 1600 E. Highway 6, Ste. 215, Alvin, TX 77511-2595.
We appreciate the tremendous concern and offers of support being offered by members and friends of the National Federation of the Blind. We thank you for being patient as we determine where the needs exist and work to match resources with the people that need help. Together with love, hope, and determination, we will rebuild and transform our dreams into reality.