All we have is each other: A list of non-religious Katrina charities

[Modem Butterfly]

From the American Atheists website, here's a list of non-religious charities who are providing aid and relief to Katrina victims.

http://www.atheists.org/

Helping the Victims of Katrina…
“All we have is each other…”

AMERICAN ATHEISTS urges all fellow nonbelievers to contribute to the rescue and other humanitarian efforts in the devastating wake of Hurricane Katrina.

A number of secular, non-religious aid organizations are active in this relief campaign. They do not incorporate a religious message in their operations, nor do they proselytize to those in need.

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICES COMMITTEE
AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS (Founded by Deist-Unitarian Clara Barton)
AMERICARES
HANDS ON HUMANITY is a project of the Universist Movement. It is operated by Atheists and other secularists, and is concentrating on the Birmingham, Ala. area. It has applied for non-profit status.
The MASONIC SERVICES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA has established a Katrina Hurricane Relief fund and accepts on-line donations.
MERCYCORPS
NETWORK FOR GOOD (has numerous listings for helping groups, both religious and secular)
OXFAM AMERICA
SECOND HARVEST
UNITED WAY OF AMERICA
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES (Our winged and four-legged friends need help, too!)
PETSMART CHARITIES
If you have been displaced by the Hurricane Katrina tragedy and need employment, and are currently in the Houston, Texas area, Gary may be able to help! His is a family (all proud Atheists) business. He needs a quality bench jeweler for manufacturing and repair. Please be fluent in English and a nonsmoker. Contact Gary at [e-mail] or call 713-451-1321

Post your thoughts about Katrina and the rescue effort at NoGodBlog.com.

(AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a nationwide movement that defends civil rights for Atheists; works for the total separation of church and state; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy.)

[Trevelyan]

1. Its good to have alternatives to Red Cross which seems to be equal with

FEMA and the fact that Elizabeth Dole another Republican assigned head of Red Cross was caught embezzling $150,000 (I bet it was more) and never indicted tells you something about upper level management of the funds. I know there are good people as volunteers but the Republican appointed heads of Red Cross can't keep their hands out of the cookie jar. Unbelievably corrupt stealing from the poor and needy.

RawStory had a good article on Red Cross corruption and doubts about how much money is really reaching the victims.

On Conyers Blog someone mentioned that the NAACP would be a good choice to donate to, much better chance of reaching the Evacuees.

TPM Cafe had a page on ACORN and their accountability with the donations.

[Modem Butterfly]

2. I think a lot of folks are looking for non-sectarian charities

Not just folks that are free from religion.

[Spike from MN]

13. I gave to the NAACP after I saw their President

on C-SPAN. He was there with the members of the CBC speaking out about the way the people in NO were being treated. He mentioned the NAACP was taking donations so it was pretty much a no-brainer to send some money their way as I thought donations to them had a better chance of helping the evacuees directly. The other organizations I have donated to (Second Harvest and the Humane Society) are on the above list so either I chose wisely or I just lucked out with my picks.

[Ladyhawk]

3. Thanks.

I wish I'd had this awhile ago, before giving any money to the Red Cross. I also hate the list FEMA had. I read "Operation Blessing" and said, "WTF???" It doesn't seem right to link to dubious religious organizations from a federal government site. Then I thought maybe FEMA would monitor how donations were used...ha! Silly me! :)

[Atlas Mugged]

8. Well,

considering that 'Operation Blessing" is Pat Fucking Robertson's charity, I'm beyond disturbed that the government is giving them billing.

[Tuesday_Morning]

4. I gave to Plenty.org

These folks have a bus and are delivering food and supplies to Vets for Peace one way and then taking people out on their way back to Tennessee.

[noonwitch]

5. Don't give to the United Way, they overpay their administrators

I've given money to agencies supported by the UW, but never through them. I just give directly to the programs I want to help.

[Hello_Kitty]

14. I agree but my employer matches donations to the UW

So I figure the orgs. I support are still going to get more in the long run.

[Modem Butterfly]

6. Shameless self-kick

:kick:

[Atlas Mugged]

7. Thank you....

....and "kick".

So far I've been donating to animal rescue services. I'm reluctant to donate to many of the obvious organizations, because I've read too many of their "operating cost" breakdowns.

And, don't get me started on Red Cross. I have horror stories about them.

[salvorhardin]

9. Thanks for posting this!

Wpw! I wasn't aware there were so many choices now.

Oh, one that probably should have made that list:
the Secular Humanist Aid and Relief Effort (SHARE)
https://secure.ga3.org/05/donate_to_help_katrina_victims

All donations to SHARE go to AmeriCares (which is already on the list)
http://www.americares.org/about

Thanks to IanDB1 for bringing this to my attention a couple of weeks ago.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. The first one on the list IS a religious org

AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICES COMMITTEE

The American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. Founded by Quakers in 1917 to provide conscientious objectors with an opportunity to aid civilian war victims, AFSC's work attracts the support and partnership of people of many races, religions, and cultures.

AFSC's work is based on the Quaker belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. The organization's mission and achievements won worldwide recognition in 1947 when it accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with the British Friends Service Council on behalf of all Quakers.

The AFSC is directed by a Quaker board and staffed by Quakers and other people of faith who share the Friends' desire for peace and social justice

http://www.afsc.org/about/default.htm

[salvorhardin]

11. Perhaps worded badly

The organizations are not necessarily themselves secular, but rather do not practice their religion on the people they are helping.

A number of secular, non-religious aid organizations are active in this relief campaign. They do not incorporate a religious message in their operations, nor do they proselytize to those in need.

[Book Lover]

12. Kick

:kick: