#ParisAttacks: How can humanists help?

As you all know, yesterday a coordinated attack took place in Paris that killed more than 120 people. When such tragedy unfolds, our human instinct is to jump to the aid of those in need. Yet, sometimes we do not have what is needed to help those that are hurting.

As we remember from 9/11 and other terrorist attacks of the last 10 years, donations and volunteers who have nothing but good intentions can overwhelm the organizations that their services are directed to. There are times, though it may seem counter-intuitive, when donating money and volunteering may not actually help the people who you intend to help.

The Humanist Disaster Recovery staff has considered how the humanist community can best show our support for those in need. There has been a call for blood donations in France and we would like to encourage those of us who are far removed from Paris to take this weekend to donate blood in our own communities. While this act will not directly help those suffering in Paris, it will help people in their own communities and is symbolic of your acknowledgment of the pain felt in France.