Ways To Donate: Hurricane Harvey Relief From Newton

NEWTON, MA — Where can we help? That's the big question on many a Newton resident's mind in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which has left people in Houston, Texas, in a distressingly similar position to residents of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

There are a number of places around the country that are mobilizing. From the Firefighters filling boots of money to Coast Guard. Even in Newton there are a few folks organizing to send care as well.

The West Suburban YMCA is hosting a "phone-a-thon" where residents can gather to call friends and family and provide them with donation information to assist those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
Volunteers will call for commitments and suggest agencies such as the ones listed below as reliable and high-impact organizations to donate to. They will also recommend donations to YMCAs throughout the Greater Houston area.

Volunteers will take a running total so they can estimate how much the effort raised to help Texas flood victims.

The phone-a-thon with be Thursday Sept. 7 6-8 p.m., at the West Suburban YMCA (276 Church Street, Newton Corner).

Also in Newton:

• Karyopharm Therapeutics Inc., a pharmaceutical company in Newton, is inviting the community to join the employees and donate items such as dry food, towels, clothes, books and baby items (diapers are a major need right now).

Members of the public can drop these items off in the lobby of Karyopharm’s office at 85 Wells Ave., or coordinate a pick up by sending an email to Harveyrelief@karyopharm.com and employees will pick up donations during the day on Friday. And they'll arrange and cover the shipping to Texas.

Newton Mayor Setti Warren also released a list of three places to donate money to support the communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

"I am informed that the best way to help those in need is by making monetary donations, so I am listing three trusted sites that people could support if you wish. These sites pledge to use all the money raised for assistance on the ground," he said in a statement.

A few recommendations:

• Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation. Information on donating can be found at https://ghcf.org/hurricane-relief/
• Global Giving aims to raise $2,000,000 for relief to all communities impacted by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and along the gulf coast. The organization pledges that all funds raised will go to support relief and recovery from this storm. Donations may be made at https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-harvey-relief-fund/
• The United Way of Greater Houston has started a flood disaster reserve fund and also gives money to the local chapter of the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Donations can be made at https://www.unitedwayhouston.org/flood/flood-donation or by texting UWFLOOD to 41444
• Americares has set up a Hurricane Harvey relief fund to go to residents in all of the communities affected by the hurricane. They put teams on the ground and primarily provide needed medicines and medical supplies. Here's their link: http://www.americares.org/en/newsroom/news/2017/0818-harvey-news/

• You can donate via Red Cross over the phone: 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669)
• And you might also consider donating to the Houston area YMCAs by visiting: https://www.ymcahouston.org/blog/support-harvey-relief-efforts
• A Newton resident reached out with news that a family member in Texas also recommended the Houston Food Bank as a good place to donate: http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/donate/

Know of another scam free way to donate? Let us know! Email Jenna.Fisher@Patch.com