Disasters like Hurricane Katrina come and go, affecting everyone differently, whether emotionally, personally or even economically. Though everyone is being affected by this differently, one thing is certain: Americans are doing what they can to help.Donations to the Red Cross have reached at least $409.2 million, with many independent organizations collecting money as well. Even McDonald’s is chipping in by giving part of the donations made to its Ronald McDonald House to hurricane relief efforts. There are plenty of places to donate, with a turn of the head being all that is needed to see a place or group offering relief effort fund-raising. When giving money online, visiting www.redcross.org is the smartest route to take to donate to the cause.Donating. It’s simple, easy, effective and the only action people should be taking to help out the Gulf Coast. Americans are doing everything they can to help while still going on with their lives. Allegations have been made that we aren’t doing enough to help out -- that Americans are just complaining about gas prices and pretty much only caring about themselves.The picture that is being painted is something along these lines: “There are possibly thousands of people dead because of a storm? Who cares? It’s costing $94.69 to fill up my Hummer H2! Now let me circle Starbucks 100 times before I pick up my cafe latte yuppie chocolate supreme coffee with whipped cream on top.”Anyone who makes this assumption can begin eating his or her foot, since that’s not the case at all. The money donated to the Red Cross alone would more than cover Ball State University athletes for their textbook violation fees. While everyone is affected by this disaster differently, most Americans are feeling the economic hurt from it. Last week, local residents began to feel the ramifications of the hurricane when gas stations saw an increase between 70 cents and a dollar per gallon after Katrina damaged a plethora of oil pipelines in the Gulf Coast. Though most would like to pack up and go help, it’s not affordable or smart, which brings up another false allegation.Apparently, to some, showing sympathy means traveling down south and helping out by hand, and America isn’t showing any support unless Americans do just that. However, donating from home is the best thing someone can do to help now, and traveling south isn’t a great idea.Don’t get me wrong, if someone wants to actually join one of the experienced organizations lending a hand — like The National Guard or Federal Emergency Management Agency — then, by all means, join them. However, Joe Schmo packing his PT Cruiser tight with bottled water and driving down south is not the brightest idea.Although he has good intentions, he could complicate rescue efforts more and become another body trapped in a water drainage system. Crazy looters, disease-filled water, dehydration and drowning are a few of the perils he would face, so helping out from afar is his — and America’s — best bet.So please, America, do your part and give, as our donations help support the organizations working down in the Gulf. Gas prices haven’t stopped our sympathy before, and they won’t stop it this time around.
Write to Ryan at
rjsmith@bsu.edu
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