Round-the-clock television coverage and social media posts of the flooding in Texas and Louisiana communities makes the distance from Fountain Hills to Houston seem so much closer than the actual 997 miles.

Local residents are brainstorming ideas and stepping up to assist Hurricane Harvey victims.

Churches, businesses, volunteer organizations and individuals have begun collecting money, food and clothing.

Financial donations are the most helpful and can be applied where most needed. Those wishing to donate should only do so to a recognized disaster relief organization, such as the Red Cross.

When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in August 2005, Fountain Hills businesses and residents opened their homes and pocketbooks to help the victims. Condos, houses, furnishings and cars were made available to those who were evacuated to the Phoenix area from New Orleans and other areas hit hard by the storm.

Businesses

Safeway, Albertsons and Fry’s supermarkets have teamed up with the Red Cross. Donations can be made on their websites or in the stores.

In two days, Paul’s ACE Hardware collected $5,500 from customers by asking them to donate the change from their purchases. The money will go directly to the Red Cross.

The company, through its eight locations, has pledged to match up to $10,000.

As of Aug. 30, ACE Hardware corporate office delivered three trailers of supplies each to Port Lavaca and Beaumont, and five trailers to Rockport.

Charities

The American Red Cross has information on its website and a special appeal for help in funding the disaster response. Visit redcross.org/donate/hurricane-harvey or call 1-800-733-2767.

Salvation Army is accepting financial donations online or donors can call 1-800-725-2769.

Blood donations

The next blood drive in town won’t be until November. No special blood drive for the victims is anticipated.

Local bloodmobile coordinator Paul Appeldorn said six United Blood Services donation locations offer more frequent drives.

He suggests calling 1-877-827-4376 to learn when bloodmobiles are available at Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Phoenix and Goodyear donation centers.

Churches

The Fountains Methodist Church has adopted a project to fill five-gallon “flood buckets” with cleaning supplies. The project started last Sunday but is ongoing.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief is coordinating the effort through member churches and will deliver the containers. ACE Hardware donated buckets to the church. Organizers have a recommended list of cleaning supplies on The Fountains’ website.

Some items going into the buckets are laundry detergent, liquid household cleaner, scouring pads, insect repellant spray, air fresheners, sponges, clothesline, clothespins, trash bags, dishwashing gloves and work gloves.

Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church took a special offering Sunday for Harvey.

Pastor Bill Good told his congregation that “the most powerful contribution we can possibly make” was “heartfelt prayer for the folks who are suffering so greatly in the embrace of this catastrophic storm.”

Individuals

Mike Ruscetti, a Trevino Drive resident, is collecting non-perishables, water, blankets and diapers to fill a semi-container for the victims.

Ruscetti, of Superior Stucco, said items can be left at his business, 9520 E. Doubletree Ranch Road, C-104, Scottsdale, or home at 16323 E. Trevino Drive. Ruscetti can be contacted at 602-469-4497.

He plans to send a truck loaded with donations in about a week.

Fort McDowell’s Fernando Garcia planned to head to Houston last Saturday morning with a truck and trailer filled with baby food, formula, diapers, children’s clothes, blankets, towels, gas donations, sweaters and toiletries.

A Clear Aire development family on E. Ledferd Lane collected water, non-perishable food, clothing, baby food and formula and blankets last weekend. The donations were hauled to Phoenix to a tractor trailer for Texas.

Rio Verde residents are collecting new and slightly used shoes and socks for the victims.

A collection bin is located in the post office for donations. Donors are asked to tie the shoes in pairs with laces and mark on the heels the gender and size. Fleet Feet Sports stores are coordinating the drive.