As a former resident of Florida, I have personally experienced hurricanes. I’ll never forget the sound of 100+ mph winds howling through hurricane shutters and shaking the house for hours. Afterward there’s no electricity to power air conditioners, refrigerators, other necessities of life or gas to fuel chainsaws to cleanup downed palm trees from roads. Imagine temperatures in the upper 90s, 100 percent humidity with no power or drinkable water. Though many have lost everything they own, they are still alive and need your help.

If you feel moved to donate to charities to help victims of natural disasters in Texas, Florida, the Caribbean and Mexico, consider giving to the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). There are many charities to choose from. As federal employees, I encourage you to consider participating in this worthy cause starting October 2.

In addition, I have included information about how to give to other charities. See NPR, NY Times, CNN, Charity Navigator