How could millions of developers solve the world’s greatest problems if given the chance? IBM believes it’s time to find out. We’re partnering with The American Red Cross and the United Nations Human Rights Office to launch Call for Code, a global coding challenge inspiring developers to create sustainable disaster mitigation solutions. The competition is open to all developers—if you’re ready to answer the call.
Due to the worst flooding in recorded history for the area, everyone in Hay River and Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Northwest Territories, Canada, has been issued an evacuation order.
8/29/2017: Today is the twelfth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. And boy, oh boy, it’s shaping up to be a hard one.
Usually, this time of year I write an uplifting post about the spirit of love and the resilience of my beloved NOLA and her unbreakable spirit. I talk about the deeply meaningful life lessons I learned from one of the most challenging experiences I and my loved ones will ever live through. I talk about the community we built for ourselves and the power of laughter and the joy of helping others and finding silver linings in the aftermath of chaos.
But today I woke up for the third time this week to terrifyingly familiar newscasts and bleak weather forecasts from down in Texas and all I’m able to feel is an impotent sense of helplessness in the face of Mother Nature, a sinking feeling of gut-wrenching dread when I think about how little faith I have in the current presidential administration to actually get down there and help, and a homesickness for New Orleans that’s making it hard for me to stop crying.
So today on the twelfth anniversary of Katrina, as Harvey continues to wreak havoc in Houston and across the western side of the Gulf, I’m not looking to the past to how far New Orleans has come and how much I learned. I’m looking to the future, and asking “what can I do to help?”
Katrina taught me about the power of the individual. It taught me that when governments fail, ordinary people step up. The kindness and decency of other people is what got me through 2005 with enough laughter to balance out the tears. We pulled through, we rebuilt, and we persisted. And so now it’s my time to pay it forward.
Please consider taking a moment today to do something kind for someone who needs it. It would mean a lot to me, and it might change their life.
After Hurricane Sandy hit the North East coast, Jackie Mangiolino, the Long Island creative behind Believe Notes, rallied together a group of independent designers to contribute original art work to sell with all proceeds (aside from shipping and transaction fees) benefiting the American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Designers Care is non-profit project reaching out to raise funds to help those in need through inspiration and good design!
Our design for peace after the storm was inspired by the “Unity” and support shown in hopes of uplifting the communities devastated. Please visit Designers Care shop to mix & match a variety of beautifully crafted one of a kind items for a worthy cause. Hand stamped and available on white, black or kraft paper, in black, gold or silver metallic inks. (Click here to view)
A big shout out and thank you to Jackie & her mother, Anna for organizing & managing this initiative, and to the amazing network of designers who shared their talent! xo
It’s been three weeks since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico and conditions on the island are still nightmarish: Many are without water, electricity, or cell phone service. People are still struggling to access medical treatment, food and drinking water. Congress is considering an aide package, but it provides primarily a loan that Puerto Rico would have to repay,deepening the island’s debt crisis. The Jones Act was temporarily waived, but is not back in effect.
Puerto Rico needs more help, and they need it now. Call your senators and representative to ask them to do more to help Puerto Rico!
Here’s your script: “Hi, my name is [your name] and I’m a constituent from [your town]. I’m called because I’m still really concerned about conditions on Puerto Rico. Much of the island is still without water and power, and the aid package proposed by House Republicans doesn’t do enough to help. I hope that Representative/Senator So-and-so will call for more disaster relief, and permanently repeal the Jones Act so that Puerto Rico can get the supplies they need. Thank you.”
