Victims need more than prayers.


I see these well meaning images all the time after horrible things happen. Everyone shares them, ribbons, candles, pictures of children, and hugging, and all sorts of thing. What I don't see are people sharing information for the Red Cross, who collects the blood the injured people need. Or information for the Salvation Army, who provide disaster support to the first responders in the form of small on site kitchens.

These images let people feel like they did something. They felt for the hurt and empathized for those who lost people or had families hurt. Well, that's nice, but you can really help them instead!

Instead of lighting a candle or praying (ok, you can do those to) donate $10 to the Red Cross Disaster relief, or even just $5 to the Salvation Army. Go donate blood at your local Red Cross. Yea, there may not be a disaster near you right now, but lots of people need that blood. If there were a disaster near you would you feel better knowing that your Red Cross was stocked with blood and volunteers or that somewhere, a 10,000 people spent 5 seconds to click "like" or "share" on a bunch of pixels of a prayer? 

Be the change you want to see in the world. It's really really not the thought that counts, but your actions.

Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations

Salvation Army http://blog.salvationarmyusa.org/2013/04/15/salvation-army-providing-support-in-boston-ma/

There are a bunch of websites listing how you can help. Choose your favorite and do so. Your prayers and thoughts are a nice gesture but make a real difference.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/15/help-boston-marathon-victims_n_3087183.html

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