Better together

Normally in this blog, you would have a special message announcing our office hours over the Labor Day holiday weekend, and a blog title that hopefully brings a smile to your face. Instead, we are using the space to talk about the tragic floods in Texas and Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

At the time of this writing, deadly floods have also severely affected areas of South Asia, which have already claimed more than 1,200 lives. And, unrest has flared up again at the borders of Myanmar and in Bangladesh in the Rohingya communities.

It seems as though the world is undergoing massive changes – both manmade and natural. Today we simply wanted to proclaim our solidarity with all who are caught up in these dramatic events. It is time for us to unite as one people with one home – planet Earth.

As you depart for the long weekend, we ask only that you keep all those suffering around the world in your thoughts and prayers. We also wanted to give you quick access through social media to organizations and group where you can help. Social media has proved to be an invaluable tool, and has never been used on this scale before to request direct help from those in need in Texas, Louisiana and Mumbai as well as serving as a means of live streaming updated news in these critical situations.

If you wish to help those affected by Harvey and the flooding in South Asia, below is a partial list of organizations, with their twitter handles, that have feet on the ground on the front lines of the recovery process.

We must and we will rise from this.  #harveyheroes   #southasiaflood

• Americares : @Americares
• Hurricane Harvey : @HarveyRelief
• UnitedWayHouston‏ : @HouUnitedWay
• American Red Cross : @Red Cross
• South Texas Blood & Tissue Center : @connectforlife
• Feeding Texas : @FeedingTexas
• Coalition for the Homeless, Houston : @HomelessHOU
• Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies (assisting disabled) : @portlight
• OXFAM (South Asia flooding aid) : @oxfamgb

Kids
Save the Children  : @SavetheChildren
Operation USA (education) : @OperationsUSA
Texas Diaper Bank  : @texasdiaperbank
Unicef Child Emergency Fund : @unicef_uk

Animals
SPCA of Texas : @SPCAofTExas
Austen Pets Alive! : @austinpetsalive 

It always wise to do your homework using tools such as Charity Navigator, @CharityNav, if you have any questions about an organization.

Please note: Our office will be closed at 1:00 pm EST Friday and on Monday for Labor Day. We will reopen Tuesday, September 5th at 9am EST.