TODAY IS ELECTION DAY – MAKE SURE YOU GET OUT AND VOTE!

Show your USA Love by taking part in Election Day and casting your vote. Make voting a family event. Take your kiddos with you so they can see the voting process and will be ready to vote when they are 18. You can go over the candidates with them first and find other fun Election Day activities on the PBS Kids: The Democracy Project website. For more information on voting, check out last weeks post on preparing for Election Day and don't forget to enter our giveaway for an Election After-Party Tee from RWB.

Once you have voted, there is more you can do to take action for your country even after Election Day. It has been a week since Hurricane Sandy landed on the US East Coast. Neighborhoods from New Jersey to Rhode Island have suffered damage in her wake. Here are a few of the ways you and your family can help fellow Americans who have suddenly found themselves in need.

DONATE MONEY on ELECTION DAY

Donating money is a great way to make sure people who have nothing left after Sandy can get what's most important. Some of the great organizations that make it easy for you to donate money are:

The American Red Cross The money donated to the American Red Cross is used to provide shelter, food, and other support hurricane victims need. You can text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross.

The United Way Hurricane Sandy Fund  Hurricane Sandy Fund money will be used to in areas along the East Coast that FEMA has declared disaster areas to meet the needs of the people and families in those areas. You can use your phone to text RECOVERY to 52000 to make a $10 donation to this fund.

Feeding America Money donated to Feeding America is used to help stock food pantries. You can choose the state and food banks that you want your donation to go to on the Feeding America website.

DONATE ITEMS

Here are a few of the organizations that are accepting item donations to help families with kids who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy:

The Pajama Program The Pajama Program collects new pajamas for children of all ages who have been displaced from their home. This is a great way to get your kids involved in helping other kids! You can help them organize and hold a Pajama Drive in your area to collect new pajamas for children who will need warm clothes to wear to bed.

Babies R Us and Target Gift Cards  Rock Center with Brian Williams is accepting Babies R Us and Target Gift Cards to go to families with children who are in need of items after Hurricane Sandy. Gift Cards in any amount can be mailed to Rock Center with Brian Williams, 30 Rockefeller Plaza #412E, New York, NY 10112. This is another great way you can get your kids involved. They can donate some of their allowance or piggy bank money. They can even start a change drive at their school and purchase gift cards with the money collected.

VOLUNTEER

The National Donations Management Network is a great place to start if you are looking to volunteer and don't know where to go. This site connects you with local organizations that are looking for help. From the National Donations Management Network main website page you can choose which state you want to volunteer in. You can even specifically donate money and items to certain states through this FEMA approved site.

Did you vote? Did you take action in support of the storm recovery? Did you show your USA Love in some other way today? Brag about it in the comments and we'll send you a virtual high five!  Celebrate Election Day!!