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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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43 comments

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Donate.

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Send positive thoughts out to the universe.

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

3

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

1

Donating supplies, money and volunteering are probably the most useful and truly helpful ways to assist in this type of situation. Way better than prayers.

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Well, as far as I can recall Prayer has NEVER once stopped a Natural/Man-made Disaster from occurring nor has it truly brought any comfort, ease, much needed supplies to the victims.
But, sheer, unbridled human generosity, kindness and concern has gone great distances to provide such reliefs to the victims.
For example, What were the first things to arrive after the massive earthquake and mudslides that struck Nepal a few years ago?
Answer cases of Bibles, no tents for sheltering the homeless, no blankets to help keep them warm, no foodstuffs or fresh water, just bibles, tons of them. Yes the pages would help the victims make small fires but you can't EAT bibles, nor can you find shelter under them from rain and cold.
Where Atheists and Agnostics give from their 'hearts' to those in dire need and expect nothing in return, the Faithfools give bibles and expect a Free Pass into Heaven.
So, if you can't give food, water, money, etc, search through your closets and find things such as clothing, blankets, etc, that you either no longer need/wear nor want, donate them in person or simply pay the freight to send them direct yourself, I did that when the Tsunami went across the Indian Ocean and I received quite a number of most unexpected letters thanking me from those who either received or were given my meagre donations.

2

A hug is very comforting.

5

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.

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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.

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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.

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Donations or volunteering, if that's an option

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Let me know how I can help.

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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

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I think the key is to be empathetic. Understand where they are and try to give comfort letting them know their difficulties are in your thoughts and you offer your shoulder, whether it is figuratively or literally.

"I feel for you"
"Best wishes"
My thoughts are with you and yours"

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Do something.

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You can physically help, you can donate and hope a decent amount of your donation actually goes towards relief, or you can sit on the wayside and realize you can't help everyone.

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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...."

😉

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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

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

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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
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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.

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

9

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

Yeah!

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IMHO, prayer works as well as rubbing a genie's lamp but you have to do what works for you. My mom is down there and I haven't heard from her so...

Btbd Level 7 Oct 10, 2018
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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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