Online SignUps for Organizing Disaster Relief & Recovery Efforts

How to Get Involved with Disaster Relief, Recovery & Rebuilding Efforts

• Host a neighborhood donation drive – collect food, water, clothes, blankets, diapers, and/or other necessities and donate all collected items to a local organization providing disaster relief.

• Organize a local and/or virtual fundraiser to provide financial support to those affected.

• Provide shelter – set up temporary housing at your church or school, donate hotel points or pay for a room, or give airline miles to someone needing transportation to stay with family or friends.

• Offer your advice or emotional support. Do you have expertise in insurance claims, processes for getting assistance, or other knowledge that can help displaced people get back to a state of “normal” quicker? Are you a therapist that can offer pro bono services? Volunteer at a local nonprofit to help anyone needing the type of support you can offer.

• Organize child care and playdates. Encourage (background checked) teachers, scout leaders, and coaches to take shifts entertaining kids at shelter sites – fun for the kids and an invaluable break for already stressed parents. For neighbors in need, plan playdates and babysitting circles to give parents a planned respite.

• Donate blood and encourage family, friends, and neighbors to do the same. You can host your own blood drive by contacting the Red Cross.

• Help rebuild homes with your own two hands by volunteering to help at an organization like Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together.

• Provide meals by helping to cook meals and/or deliver meals to displaced and grieving people.

• Provide relief to disaster responders by hosting a potluck-type meal for the firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police, and other first responders – ask community members to make covered dishes to contribute and  enlist local restaurants to host or donate meals (and use SignUp to coordinate!)..

• Foster, feed, and care for pets of affected families. Roundup pet food, toys, leashes, halters, crates and old towels to help pets stay with their people when possible. Coordinate supplies and rides to shelters and families available to foster displaced pets. Many communities will also sponsor large-animal evacuation barns which will be in need of volunteers. 

• Help with the cleanup efforts. Search online or check social media and other news outlets to find local organizations leading the disaster cleanup endeavors.

• Get involved in your local mutual aid network if disaster strikes close to home.

Disaster Relief SignUps

Coordinate all the events and people needed to help those affected by disasters with SignUp’s free scheduling tool, including:

• Blood donation appointments

• Babysitting and child care crew

• Donation deliveries

• Donation drive collection

• Donation sorters

• Disaster cleanup crew shifts

• Emergency shelter volunteers

• Fundraiser events for disaster victims

• Meal prep

• Meal deliveries

• Monetary donations collection

• Pet foster volunteers

• Screening appointments for disaster survivors needing assistance

• Search and rescue crews

SignUp is here to support all of your do-GOOD efforts!

Tips for Planning a Blood Drive

How to Get Involved in a Mutual Aid Network

Printable Intro Letters for Community Mutual Aid Groups