Department of Public Safety,
Homeland Security & Bureau of Police

Disaster Donations

You can help in a disaster by contributing money or sending appropriate items for disaster victims. Money should be sent as a check to a bona fide disaster response organization. The check can be designated for a specific disaster or specific donation such as "blankets", "food", " medicine", or other item. You can donate through local volunteer disaster relief offices including: American Red Cross Brethren Disaster Services Church World Service Lutheran Disaster Services Methodist Disaster Services Presbyterian Disaster Services Salvation Army NAILS.

This link shows all national volunteer disaster agencies (NVOAD: National Voluntary Organizations Active In Disaster).  You can also create disaster recovery kits. These kits must be in a sturdy box, clearly labeled as to contents. All items should be new, unopened and still in original wrapper. You can enclose a personal note for the disaster victims if you like. Enclosing an additional donation check to Church World Service in your disaster kit can help ship your disaster recovery kit to the disaster site. They can be shipped prepaid to Brethren Service Center, 500 Main St., New Windsor, MD 21776-0188.

Kits

Blanket Kit
Need sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents Blankets - any size Blankets are among the most valuable resource. They can be used as makeshift tents, hammocks, bags, and as bedding.

Clean-up Kit
For 1 household Need - a sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents 1 bucket filled with: Sponges 1 wire brush plastic garbage bags rubber gloves 1 scrub brush 1 can of powder cleanser

Health Kit
For 1 person Need - a sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents Wrap items in the towel and tie with ribbon 1 hand towel 1 wash cloth 1 new, in wrapper, bath-size bar of soap 1 comb 1 toothbrush 1 tube of toothpaste 6 band aids 1 nail file

Infant Layette
For 1 infant Need sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents, indicate infant size/age Wrap items in one of receiving blankets and secure with diaper pins. NO plastic pants, bottles, shoes, toys, or talcum (baby) powder. 2 shirts 2 gowns 2 receiving blankets 2 wash cloths 4 cloth diapers 1 sweater 2 diaper pins

Food Staples Kit
Need sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents 32 oz. plastic bottle cooking oil 12 oz. canned beef or corned beef 4 -1 lb. bag of dry beans 1 - 1 lb. box of granulated sugar 8 oz instant coffee 1 - 1 lb. box of iodized salt 9 oz can of pepper 12 oz of canned chicken or tuna 5 - 1 lb. bag white rice 4 - 1 lb. box powdered milk 1 box of 25 tea bags

Sewing Kits
Need sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents Wrap all sewing kits inside the fabric and tie with string or strip of fabric. 3 yards of cotton or cotton blend fabric 1 package hand sewing needles 1 spool of matching thread 1 card of 6 buttons or 6 matching buttons secured together

School Kit
For 1 child Need sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents Place all items in cloth bag, fold it over and secure shut with two large rubber bands 2 -8 X 11 inch writing pads 1 blunt scissors 1 - 30 cm metric ruler 1 pencil sharpener 6 unsharpened pencils with erasers 1 - 2 1/2 inch eraser 12 sheets of construction paper 1 box of eight crayons 1 - 12 X 14 cloth bag with handles

Family Medicine Cabinet Kit
Enough for 1 household. Need sturdy box with outside label indicate specific contents Medications must be new, in original wrapping and unopened. Bottles must have expiration date of not less than 18 months. 1 bottle adult pain reliever (Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen) 1 bottle children pain reliever 1 bottle One A Day children's multiple vitamin 1 plastic bottle of antacid (Tums, Rolaids, Maalox, etc.) 1 plastic bottle of hydrogen peroxide 1 tube of antibiotic or first aid cream 1 box of assorted band aids

Dispensary Medicine Kit
Enough for 1000 people for three months. Contact Interfaith Medical Assistance (see address below) for complete planning packet to assemble this kit. Some items include 1000 325 mg. tablets of Aspirin 1000 325 mg. tablets of Acetaminophen 500 tablets multivitamins with iron 500 tablets (no liquids) of antacids 50 sterile gauze 4 X 4 pads 6 rolls of 1/2 inch by 10 yards adhesive tape Optional --- Donate prescription drugs to complete the kit by designating kit Church World Service "Gifts of the Heart Dispensary Medicine Kit", and separately sending check for $300 to Interfaith Medical Assistance, PO Box 429, New Windsor, MD 21776