When the need arises ...

How to donate and volunteer online by Rick Castellini Nationally syndicated computer consultant Special to PRIME No country in the world responds to disasters like the United States. When an emergency comes about, fellow citizens and neighbors rise to the occasion like no one else can. With one of most devastating natural disasters ever to effect our shores occurring last month, Americans again showed why they care about people more than anyone else in the world. And, thanks to the Internet, those of us who don't live near the area affected by a catastrophe can now help out more quickly than ever before.. Our connection to the world Because of the speed and the up-to-date nature of the Internet, we can get news from one end of the globe to another instantaneously. We can also coordinate fund-raising and volunteer efforts like never before as well. And because of the global nature of the Internet, online giving has bolstered the relief efforts of world disasters like the Asian tsunami and Katrina. Read on to learn how you can make a difference no matter where you live. Donating dos and don'ts Officials tell us that in times of need money is the most precious donation that we can give. Giving online is fast, clean and safe ... IF you stick to donating to large organizations that you already know like the Red Cross, Human Society, and UNICEF. Never donate to a charity soliciting your kindness via email or the telephone if you can't completely verify the organization's legimaticy. Unfortunately, even in times of need, criminals looking to turn an easy buck abound. Here are some organizations where you can make safe online donations: The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org UNICEF at www.unicefusa.org America's Second Harvest at www.secondharvest.org The United Way at www.unitedway.org USA Freedom Corps at www.usafreedomcorps.gov The Humane Society at www.hsus.org Of course there are many more organizations helping in relief efforts, but again make sure any you choose to support are well known aid organizations that you trust. Donating to "Billy Bob's Disaster Relief" can potentially end up supporting his own grocery bill or addictive habit and never reach the people you targeted your money to support. Become a virtual volunteer Second only to money in a disaster is the need for volunteers. Volunteers make up a majority of the relief personnel following a disaster. Volunteering in person at the disaster site is not always possible or warranted, but you can make a huge difference right from your keyboard or telephone by volunteering in other ways. From sending email to housing shelters and making phone calls to coordinate relief supply shipments, much can be done right from your home. To learn about these types of opportunities, the following sites will get you pointed in the right direction: Charity Navigator at www.charitynavigator.org Craig's List at www.craigslist.org then click on your community or cause The United Way at unitedway.org The UN's Online Volunteer Service at www. onlinevolunteering.org Network for Good at www.networkforgood.org Points of Light Foundation at www.1-800-volunteer.org More about e-philanthropy And as you might expect, giving and volunteering online has given rise to a new technical category called e-philanthropy. Read more and study and about the best ways to give and volunteer online at: ephilanthropy.org There's always a need We all get excited and spring into action when a disaster occurs and that's fantastic. However, please remember that there is no wrong time to donate your time or money and all the organizations I mentioned in this article gladly accept your time and money throughout the year. Thankfully, catastrophic events are rare, but daily needs around the world abound and you can make a bigger difference that you can imagine even from your own home computer. Rick Castellini hosts a nationally syndicated radio show, is an author and computer consultant in Colorado. Visit his web site at HelpMeRick.com for practical tips and computer information every week.