Emergency management officials recommend that those wishing to assist hurricane victims give cash donations and resist going to affected areas. Some charitable organizations recommended by the Federal Emergency Management Agency:

– American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, 800-435-7669 or www.redcross.org

– Catholic Charities, USA, 800-919-9338, or www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

– Salvation Army, 800-725-2769 or www.1800salarmy.org

– United Methodist Committee on Relief, 800-554-8583, or gbgm-umc.org

– For a complete list of charitable agencies recommended by FEMA, go to www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm

AP-ES-07-10-05 1608EDT