Help today

(More information is being added)

It’s frustrating.  Millions of gallons of oil are floating in the Gulf of Mexico and there’s little that the regular person feels he or she can do.  In fact, the Louisiana Gulf Response coalition of conservation groups notes this on its Web site:

Volunteer assistance is not immediately needed and we do not want to impede or complicate official efforts. The best action you can take is to register to volunteer and wait to be contacted.  Please do not attempt to engage in recovery, monitoring or volunteer activities on your own.

Here, however, are some suggestions on how you can help today:

Donate money. It’s going to cost a lot to clean up the Gulf and help people find work who will lose jobs because of closed fisheries and tourist establishments.  Click here to see some places that can use your money to make a difference.

Submit a photo. If you live along the Gulf, you could send us a photo of how the spill is impacting your life or someone in your area.  The photo doesn’t have to be of an oil-covered bird or tarballs on the beach.  It could be a photo of a business owner whose worried face tells of frustration.  Make sure you include some of the story in words to augment your photo essay.  Click here  for more.

Some other ideas and information:

• Register to volunteer, from LA Gulf Response coalition
• What you can do, from the U.S. EPA

Let us know if you have any other suggestions by sending us a link or adding a comment.