Mondays are usually blogs to motivate writers. Today I'm deviating a bit.

I live on the Texas gulf coast. I've seen lots and lots of storms. Big hurricanes, little hurricanes, and tropical storms that did more damage than any hurricane.

I've also been stranded in a volunteer fire department in Deep Creek, Maryland during a Nor'easter blizzard for days with three small children,  a miniature schnauzer <span style="color:#444444;line-height:23px;">and a husband anxious to get home to check on our house</span>. We shared the small fire department's building with about two hundred other motorists traveling home after the Thanksgiving holiday.

BEFORE the era of cell phones I might add. No one knew what had happened to us for days.

I'm sure most of  you have seen the pictures of Hurricane Sandy's devastation. If you haven't, check out this site with before and after shots. Slide your mouse over the before snapshot and view the aftermath of Sandy. You'll be shocked.
<h1><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/03/before-after-hurricane-sandy-photos_n_2068996.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular" target="_blank">Before/After Hurricane Sandy Photos Show How Storm Devastated East Coast (INTERACTIVE PICTURES)</a></h1>
A week later a Nor'easter visited the east coast. Too much for an already crushed area.

There is no doubt the damaging effects of Hurricane Sandy will be with us for a long time. Today I want to encourage everyone to help out and suggest donations to:
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="http://tinyurl.com/d5lahgr" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-1578 aligncenter" title="m6440078_148x68_ButtonLogo_Stacked" alt="" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/m6440078_148x68_buttonlogo_stacked.png" height="68" width="148" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:left;">From my personal experience with the Red Cross in a weather crisis, I know they are "Johnny on the Spot." Red Cross volunteers offered some terrific sandwiches, <span style="color:#444444;line-height:23px;">warm blankets, </span>and delivered messages for us during our blizzard experience. Just click on the logo above to donate.</p>
<span style="color:#444444;line-height:23px;">Based on my research,</span><span style="color:#444444;line-height:23px;"> </span>I believe the following organizations are also trustworthy and<span style="color:#444444;line-height:23px;"> positioned to help those in need receive immediate help and care. In order to make it easier for you to donate to these organizations, here are the direct links:</span>

<a href="http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/18474661:20941368000:m:1:384838661:7AD889D7D0B175433840F9854C8609DE:r">Salvation Army</a>
<p style="text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/articles/hurricane_sandy/" target="_blank">Samaritan's Purse</a></p>
<p style="text-align:left;">For our military families in the path of both storms, these organizations offer assistance:</p>
<a href="http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/18474664:20941368000:m:1:384838661:7AD889D7D0B175433840F9854C8609DE:r">Air Force Aid Society</a>

<a href="http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/18474663:20941368000:m:1:384838661:7AD889D7D0B175433840F9854C8609DE:r">Army Emergency Relief Fund</a>

<a href="http://www.nmcrs.org/" target="_blank">Navy-M</a><a href="http://www.nmcrs.org/" target="_blank">arine Corps Relief Society</a>

I'm sure you may know of other organizations where you can help out in person or send a donation. HELP.

I found <a style="color:#df0000;line-height:23px;" href="http://www.facebook.com/events/388020704611404/" target="_blank">Write Now Relief </a><span style="color:#444444;line-height:23px;"> </span>on Facebook that I know isn't a scam and offers the opportunity to win a like a 50-page critique of your novel by a published novelist in exchange for the winning donation bid.

You bid at  <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/388020704611404/" target="_blank">Write Now Relief </a> between Nov 9 and Nov 16. Highest bidder's amount with be  sent to relief efforts for the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
<p style="text-align:left;">Okay,  back to the writing...</p>