Red Cross donations

The total cost of recovery from recent hurricanes in the Gulf Coast states will be in the billions of dollars. Much of the funds to rebuild homes, businesses and essential infrastructure will come from insurance companies as well as local, state and federal governments.

But the help that has the most direct impact on people and their immediate emergency needs in the storms' aftermath is coming from churches and relief organizations that rely on the generosity of others who are far from the disasters but want to help.

Major contributions to the American Red Cross since the recent hurricanes have been made by national corporations and their foundations.

There is an unpleasant side to all of this. There are individuals who seek disaster aid when, in fact, they are not disaster victims. And there are those who prey on the generosity of areas like Southeast Missouri and collect funds in the name of a good cause for a bad reason: They intend to keep the money.

That's what happened recently in Cape Girardeau. People posing as American Red Cross volunteers solicited donations. The Red Cross doesn't do door-to-door soliciting. Ever.

The Southeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross will gladly accept donations and provide information on other ways to help. The phone number is 335-9471. The office is at 2430 Myra Drive in Cape Girardeau. Or go to the American Red Cross Web site, www.redcross.org, which has up-to-date information about its relief efforts.