Local residents hoping to contribute to the recovery efforts of the hurricanes in Florida. 

According to Otter Tail County Emergency Manager Patrick Waletzko, offered these tips for contributing to the hurricane relief efforts: 

• Make monetary donations to trusted organizations is the best way to donate.

• Cash is efficient, flexible to use, and requires no packaging or transportation.

• Trusted organizations will ensure your money goes to help those in need.

• It helps voluntary organizations meet the precise needs of victims.

• It helps with rebuilding the local economy.

• It allows the Long-Term Recovery Committee to continue to support the community after the lights, sirens, and cameras go home.

• From a management standpoint, cash is more efficient to inventory, allows for equitable distribution procedures and standards accounting procedures.

Who to donate to and how to ensure it gets used appropriately

• Donate to National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) member organizations

• You can also find out if there are local disaster relief funds established & send it there.

• Do not send cash donations to local government entities; they often cannot accept it and will not be able to manage it.

If you want to ensure your donation goes to relief of a specific incident, note that in your check/online donation. 

Organizations are obligated to use it for that incident or purpose, rather than general organizational/administrative costs.