Suggestions in setting up Disaster Relief for a local Family?

Question

Our neighbors just lost everything they own in a fire from a house that was struck by lightning. No one was injured, but they are just in the first few days of figuring out how to get their life moving again. I'd like to coordinate a donation and support center for them and will start with a blog and our local church.

Does anybody have any other thoughts or recommendations of groups or organizations that help families with rebuilding?

Red Cross has already been in contact, is there anything else?

Answer 1

Red Cross will normally refer ppl in such situations to other agencies for help for ex Salvation Army one or 2 local churches, a thrift store but more help is often needed and appreciated.   Ask the ppl if they have insurance and what they need most.  

A local bank can open a benefit account.   That way ppl can donate.  Jars with a slit in the top and a lable showing what it is for at the check out counters of local stores also give people a way to help.   In this area some of the EMC's (rural electric membership companies) help people in this situation and some don't.   With -and only with - the family's permission you can contact each area church, and thrift store, civic club etc. With the permission of your church you can also contact places like WallMart,KMart, Target, and localbuilding materialand hardware stores and ask for donations of things needed in rebuildng and refurnishing.  Some will give goods only, some will give a gift card.   You need the people's permission bec someone else could be coordinating things and they could be embaerassed for someone to ask help on their behalf.   You need the church's permission bec the stores will want to make the donation to the church for the benefit of the XYZ familt so theycan get a tax deduction.   If they do not have insurance that pays for temporary housing see if a local apartment complex will donate use of an apartment (or trailer place, campground that rents campers,etc. )

Other ways to help can include a singing (get 3-4 gospel groups together to put on a benefit at the church), a bake sale, doughnut sales, car wash,  a chore day where young ppl or older ppl too volunteer to do odd jobs and the money goes to help these ppl.  

Besides raising money you can offer to pet sit if they have pets who can't be with them till they can go home again, get people who have pictures that include family members to bring them to a "scan in"  where you copy them and make new photo albms,  Especially ask ppl who would have pics of older family members who are no longer alive and baby pictures of their children.  Often pictures and things of sentimental value are the things peo[le grieve for the most because they seem irreplacable.   You can invite them out to eat or over to your house to eat because meals out are expensive,   The most important thing may be just listening even if they tell you the same thing over and over. Most people process tragedy by talking about it.   If someone seems to be extreemly depressed, despondent,unable to deal with rebuildng home and life please talk to your pastor about whether sme counseling may help.  

Answer 2

When something happens in our community we often hold benefit dinners for the families. You could also do a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle or maybe get local businesses to donate things for a raffle. It may not be much but whatever monies are raised will help.

Good Luck