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So this hurricane brings this question to mind. How do you provide comfort and concern. I can't pray for them. "Thinking good thoughts" is hollow. Suggestions?

Trussell2069 6 Oct 10
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14

Donate, then vote for a Congress that believes in climate change.

Yeah!

9

I have never had a religion and still have never had any difficulty in letting people know that I am concerned for their welfare and safety. People who say they will pray for you should instead say they hope you will be safe and that the hurricane will pass through without too much damage. If god sends hurricanes in the first place then why would anyone pray to the same god to deliver them safely from it. Makes no sense does it?

8

"We don't need this!" South Carolina residents complain about the latest hurricane.

What they need is to vote for Democrats who agree that climate change (global warming) is real and happening NOW. And act to stop climate change.

Thirty years ago, we knew climate change will create: mega-hurricanes, monster tornadoes, catastrophic flooding, massive wildfires, prolonged drought, increased temperatures, melting glaciers, super-storms, world-wide human migration, animal extinctions and starvation.

"Climate change is a Chinese hoax," Trump stupidly said. Republicans are in the pocket of oil and coal producers.

Vote Republicans out of office! Midterm elections are November 6, 2018.

But then there is the old Chinese philosophy that says "'you can't fix stupid'. Therefore, 'president tRump'.

Thirty years ago! Little has been done but talk. True, this administration will only make things worse and only take their power seriously. I just read something that is applicable: "we are the first generation to feel the effects of Climate Change and the last generation that can do something about it"

8

I’m thinking of you. Stay safe.

7

Doing stuff is hard work. Is there a way I can just sit on my arse and gain virtue by appearing sympathetic?

I feel you

6

Doing something with your two hands is better than any prayer or condolences. Lend a helping hand, or if you can't do that because of distance, send money.

6

"How can I help?"

6

Ask if there is anything practical you can do. A list of emergency numbers to call just in case, money you can send, phone calls checking in through out the ordeal. I find practical suggestions to show both concern and a willingness to actually do something other than the hollowness of prayers.

5

As so many others have commented, do something tangible -- donate through a legitimate charity. Prayers don't substitute for actually doing something.

5

You could Google “Hurricane Michael relief” or something like that. As another member already commented, organizations like the Red Cross will be there on the ground, and there should be opportunities to donate monetarily, or in-kind with canned food, blankets, pet food for people’s animals ... I’ve heard that for the larger organizations that already have the infrastructure and experience, stuff is less valuable than the money to pay for stuff. Good on you for caring!

Soooooo if (or most Americans) sent money or purchased food for every disaster in our nation, we would all be broke and have to ask for more Americans to send goodies or money to us.!
We have, unfortunately, become a nation of mourners. Time to stop it. Feel bad for them is fine.
Just be happy it hasn't happened to YOU!

@JimTheKnife Well, we'll go ahead and do what we want, and you are certainly free to not do anything.

@JimTheKnife Just to show that there are no hard feelings, I assure you that, if some horrible misfortune should befall you (not-god forbid!), you can count on our thoughts and prayers coming your way ...

@The-Krzyz Gee thanks...... but thoughts and prayers do NOTHING but make YOU feel good about yourself. Waste of time and energy.

5

unless you can physically offer some help after take cares about the best you can do the rest.....

4

Donate to Habitat for Humanity or Salvation Army that help rebuild, for one....there are good charities that DO stuff!

4

I usually say "I'll be thinking about you." If the person chooses to interpret that as prayer, fine. But to me it means I will contact them later to see how they are holding up, if I can help, etc.
Unless it's my dad. Because apparently, WHEN I CALL THE CRANKY OLD COOT TO SEE IF HE'S HAVING ANY DAMAGE FROM THE HURRICANE HE THINKS ITS COOL TO SNAP AT ME. And how hard is it to put the fucking storm shutters on the house, cuz they're not helping in the garage??

Not bitter. Just reporting the news.

3

In the Words of Rickey Gervais “I feel so guilty. Everyone is sending their prayers but I only sent MONEY”

3

I recommend contributing to a secular charity. I've been impressed with the work done by the Foundation Beyond Belief, but there are others.
[foundationbeyondbelief.org]

Thanks for the link

3

I tell them like it is....."You need to evacuate" and "I hope you were smart enough to buy insurance" and "Good Luck with that" and "Mother Nature is trying to rid the earth of a parasitic species...."

😉

3

Unless you have money, there really isnt anything you can do. They are going to go through some really tough times.

Della Level 6 Oct 11, 2018
3

I live in Panama City. I evacuated, but will be heading back tomorrow. Already getting the "thoughts and prayers" comments. I just say thanks, as they all mean well.

Of course they do. If we are entitled to our experience, then so too are they, yes? There's no harm, and should be no offense taken. My view at any rate.

2

You show up with food, water, a chainsaw, gasoline,...

2

A hug is very comforting.

2

My youngest uncle (who is more like a brother to me) is in Panama City. I spent a good deal of yesterday texting things like "you still alive, homie?" And "don't go getting bitches knocked up in the bathtub. Hurricane babies are not en vogue." (He was having a hurricane party, not luring in random refugees.) Humor is our thing and those messages showed I was thinking about him and hoping he was safe without resorting to trite bullshit. Different people would get different words based on our relationship.

In the big picture sense? I can't donate blood, so I usually find a charity on the ground and find out what they need. In this case I have a people on the ground and he is actually hosting people from the area who lost everything, so I'm just PayPal'ing money to him for now.

2

Donate, give blood, go help make hygiene kits, adopt a pet from your local shelter so they have room for animals being moved in from impacted areas.

GwenC Level 7 Oct 11, 2018

This. Rather than empty thoughts or prayers, donate what you can. Give money if you have some, goods or gently-worn clothing if you have that but not money. People need money and clothes to get back on their feet when they have lost their homes in a disaster. If you live close enough to help on the ground, there are always volunteering opportunities. People with pets need extra help. Even a bag of food or a crate or carrier you no longer need can make a difference. Or volunteer to foster a pet until the owner can get back into housing.

2

Donations or volunteering, if that's an option

2

Let me know how I can help.

2

The simple answer is YOU DON'T! Unless you're a rescue/relief professional there isn't a damn thing you can do about a natural disaster. Just be thankful it isn't YOU or your loved ones.
You didn't cause it, nor could you prevent it. Shit happens.

You can still care about the affected people and help from afar.

@Minta79 That's crap. I feel bad for folks in distress but cannot afford to send them money
and my caring doesn't mean squat.

@JimTheKnife donating blood costs nothing. Some people literally lost everything, you have no clothes or shoes laying around that could be donated? Maybe you have a few minutes to help volunteer for the Red Cross? We can all do something if we choose to. Choosing not to is your right, but don't say you can't.

@Minta79 Sure you can........... but...... we are over 320 million people. And you or me cannot help all those in need. There is always a disaster of some sort almost every week.

@JimTheKnife I can't help everyone, but I can help someone... I'm a broke azz single mom. But, I choose to do what I can.

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