How To Help – Hurricane IKE aftermath

The Chicago Tribune photos of the aftermath Photos

As with any charity, it is a good idea to take a look at the records to find the ratio between donations collected and services provided. The Red Cross is transparent in this regard as they have complete public financial records that are audited by outside agencies and are reported to the IRS and other required documentation collection agencies.

The Red Cross has one of the lowest non-service related expense records in the industry.

For example, in 2007, The American Red Cross provided $5,300,778 in services and spent $327,331 for non service related expenses. That is about 6% of the cost of provider related expenses. This means that the American Red Cross gives 94 cents on every dollar we donate directly to those in need.

While it would be awesome if every cent of our donations could go directly to those in need, the costs are nominal compared to other 21% of organizations who use between 40-59% of donations to cover non provider costs.

The Financials for The American Red Cross for the year 2006 & 2007 can be seen at http://www.redcross.org/pubs/car07/14606D.pdf

According to the Charity Navigator,
*"The average person believes 36.3 cents on the dollar goes toward overhead expenses at the typical charity."

*"The average American believes 22.4 cents on the dollar being spent on overhead is a reasonable figure."

*"6% of charities spend under 10 cents of every dollar they collect on non provider services."

So, The American Red Cross is in the lowest category of non profit organizations non provider spending range. The Red Cross spends less than 10% of your donations on non-service related expenses.

Typically, the non-service provider expenses are those that are required by law, but are not directly providing services. This includes accounting, salaried staff (required for continuity), and other administrative services that are required so that the organization has met all of the manditory regulations involved in operations.

********************

Photography Jobs - Looking for a photography job? Search for photographer jobs, and career opportunities in the photographic field. New freelance jobs, imaging, and photo industry employment listings posted daily.

********************

"A Galveston, Texas, resident hugs U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Lopaka Mounts on September 13, 2008, the day Hurricane Ike, struck the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Mounts was on a search-and-rescue mission to find survivors of the Category 2 hurricane.

A spokesperson for Texas Governor Rick Perry told the press that the recovery effort following Ike would likely be the largest search-and-rescue operation the state had ever conducted."
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 National Geographic News

"September 15, 2008--Boats and debris clutter the water in hurricane-hit Galveston, Texas, on September 13, 2008.

Hurricane Ike's 110-mile-per-hour (177-kilometer-per-hour) winds delivered a punishing blow to the island city, shredding buildings, flooding streets, and knocking out power for millions of people.

A last minute turn by the storm as it approached the Texas coast on Saturday spared heavily populated Galveston from an expected 25-foot (7.6-meter) storm surge, according to meteorologists."
Monday, September 15, 2008 National Geographic News

The Following are Introductions To Pet Rescue News Updates. Visit Rescue Me to read the full articles and for updates. (These are current to 8:00AM September 24, 2008)


The search continues and help is still needed in Texas!

We've been keeping up-to-date on the rescues and recoveries of the pets and animals in Texas. Here's the latest:

More on animal rescue and shelters - Hurricane Ike!

More news has been filtering in about the status and welfare of animals and pets effected by Hurricane Ike. Here's a recap:

Meet Johnny!

Johnny, a terrier mix, is currently being cared for by the Houston SPCA. The Society is very full because of rescues they have taken in due to the devastation of Hurricane Ike.

Shelter from the storm!

In some parts of Texas, the rath of Hurricane Ike has been devastating. Thanks to many animal rescue organizations, the pups that have been left homeless, and left without a shelter are being rescued and cared for in shelters throughout Texas. Land and water teams are on the move in southeast Texas communities helping the pups stranded from the storm.



Here is the latest updated news.

More than 100 animal evacuees find shelter in Austin. Humans are not the only ones forced from their homes by Hurricane Ike.



More than 100 dogs, cats and other creatures are staying in temporary shelter at the Austin Humane Society as their owners wait to go home to the coast.

Meet Angel!

Angel is a very active and energetic girl who is looking for an owner with previous dog experience to take a leadership role and teach her to be on her best behavior. Angel loves to run and jump and get plenty of exercise. She is also a very loving and affectionate, you may just need baby bedding, to cuddle with this cuddle bug!

So please be an angel and make this girl yours.

Visit Rescue Me to read the full articles and for updates.