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DealDash Heroes: Hurricane Harvey Heroes

Welcome to the newest DealDash series, DealDash Heroes! Today we are going to be talking a little bit about Hurricane Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 hurricane that hit Texas last week on August 25th. Many areas received more than 40 inches of rain as the hurricane spread over eastern Texas which caused catastrophic flooding. Some areas in Texas received up to 51.88 in of rain. The resulting floods affected hundreds of thousands of homes. Over 30,000 people were left homeless and the hurricane prompted more than 17,000 rescues. In addition to this, more than 300,000 people were left without electricity and billions of dollars of property damage was sustained in Texas. With all of these horrible statistics, you’re probably wondering what is being done to help these poor people who have lost their homes. Enter the heroes.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have been working to manage the levels of flooding. While this isn’t what you typically think about when you think about people helping after a disaster, it’s very important work. These brave workers are doing their best to minimize the damage from more flooding in hopes that there will be less damage to people’s homes.

National Guard

The National Guard have been working tirelessly on search and rescue, recovery, and clean up operations. This extremely important work is done to try and find more survivors, as well as to start cleaning up some of the major damage that was caused by the storm itself and also the flooding.

Large American Corporations & Celebrities

Even big companies and celebrities have gotten into the spirit of helping our disaster victims in Texas that were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Big corporations across the US donated more than a combined total of $72 million to relief efforts, amazingly, 42 companies donated at least $1 million.

In addition to big companies donating money, some big-name celebrities like Sandra Bullock, Rachel Ray, and Leonardo DiCaprio as well as a few major league sports teams have donated millions of dollars as well.

Big Name and Not so Big Name Charities

There has, of course, been significant help from some big name charities that you have probably heard of such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Humane Society. However there has been much help provided by some organizations that you might not be so familiar with such as the United States Equestrian Federation and Operation BBQ relief.

How Can We Help?

There has been so much damage and loss of income for these folks in Texas that they are going to need a lot of help. This isn’t a quick fix that will be over in a week or two, many of the people affected didn’t have any property or renter’s insurance so they are completely at the mercy of volunteers and charity organizations.

As a fellow American it’s our duty to try and help if we can. If you’re short on cash yourself, then perhaps you could help by donating some used clothing, toys, or household goods to your local Salvation Army. You also might want to check and see if your town is doing any kind of donation collection for the hurricane victims.

In my town there was a collection for pet food and supplies that are being sent down south. My daughter’s Girl Scout troop has “adopted” another Girl Scout troop in the affected area and each girl donated a stuffed animal and a non-perishable box of snacks. These might sound like very small ways to help a very big problem.

However, as someone who was once the victim of a different devastating hurricane, I can attest to the fact that even a little help is better than none. How would you feel if the only things that you owned in the world were the things you hurriedly stuffed into a backpack as you were evacuating?

If you would like to donate gift cards, then DealDash is the perfect place to obtain them. DealDash has some very practical gift cards that you can bid on such as Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, K-Mart, and fast food such as Subway, Arby’s, and Burger King. As I said before, every little bit helps, so let’s all help!

Thanks for Reading

Thanks so much for reading this DealDash Blog article on Hurricane Harvey Heroes. Be sure to check back often for new articles here are well as on our other blogs, DealDash Reviewed and DealDash Tips. We hope that your DealDash experience is a happy one. Do feel free to let us know how we’re doing in the comments down below.

It’s time to WIN and BIN products on DealDash – perhaps you could win a gift card to donate to one of the Hurricane Harvey charities. DealDash has some awesome gift cards to bid on. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have fun on DealDash, and happy bidding everyone!

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This sponsored DealDash blog was written by Dawn E, a mother of 3 who loves DealDash. Dawn was compensated for writing this blog. Read even more at DealDashTips.com, DealDashReviewed.com, or on her own blog, DawnBlogtopus.

DealDash Heroes: Astronauts

Welcome to the newest DealDash series, DealDash Heroes! Today we are going to be talking a little bit about astronauts.

Many little boys and girls want to be astronauts when they grow up. These brave men and women are the curious and selfless forces that help us explore space and understand our world and universe around us. Astronauts are a very special type of people, and there have been very few of them in history. Here is a little bit more information about astronauts, and their importance in our lives.

Astronauts and Space History

The word “astronaut” comes from the Greek words meaning “space sailor,” and refers to all who have been launched as crew members aboard NASA spacecraft. So, technically, astronauts are only launched from the USA – other countries have other names for their “space sailors”, such as in Russia they are called “cosmonauts”, and in China, they are called “Space Navigating Personnel.”

The first human in space was a cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, who was from the Soviet Union. He launched on April 12, 1961, and orbited the Earth for 108 minutes. The first American (and second person) in space was Alan Shepard. He launched on May 5, 1961, on a 15-minute sub-orbital flight. As an American, you are probably familiar with the first astronaut on the moon – Neil Armstrong, in July of 1969.

What Types of Physical Risks are There?

There are many different types of physical risks to our heroes the astronauts. Some of the health risks that the astronauts face are decompression sickness (like deep-sea divers), barotrauma, immunodeficiencies, loss of bone and muscle, loss of eyesight, orthostatic intolerance, sleep disturbances, and radiation injury. About 2/3 of astronauts end up having vision problems due to the pressure in space. However, these brave astronauts know the risks and still choose to accept missions into space to learn more about our universe.

Things That Astronauts Do

When you think about astronauts you might imagine them floating blissfully through space like they are on an airplane ride. However, that’s not the case. When the astronauts are on the space ship or the International Space Station, they are hard at work. Some things that astronauts do while they are on the job are conduct experiments, launch satellites, and maintain spacecraft and equipment. So you see, there are many things that astronauts do that you might not have even thought about!

Thanks for Reading

Thanks so much for reading this DealDash Blog article on astronauts. Be sure to check back often for new articles here are well as on our other blogs, DealDash Reviewed and DealDash Tips. We want your DealDash experience to be a happy one. Please take a moment and feel free to let us know how we’re doing in the comments down below.

It’s time to WIN and BIN products on DealDash – perhaps you could win a gift card to Barnes and Nobel to get your favorite astronaut-loving child a book on space. DealDash has some awesome gift cards to bid on. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Have fun on DealDash, and happy bidding everyone!

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DealDash Heroes: Nurses

Welcome to the newest DealDash series, DealDash Heroes! Today we are going to be talking a little bit about nurses.

Everyone has been in contact with a nurse at some time or another, and while they aren’t typically categorized as a “hero”, I believe that they are. These men and women are the calm and compassionate forces that help us feel better when we’re sick or hurt. Here is a little bit more information about nurses, and their importance in our lives.

History of Nursing

There have, of course, been nurses practically since the beginning of time. There are records all the way back from the year 300 A.D, with people assisting doctors in surgery and patient care. However, nurses really came into their own in 1860, when Florence Nightingale opened the first nursing school. Florence Nightingale was known as one of the most popular and beloved nurses in history.

Nursing became an extremely popular profession during WW2. Many, many thousands of women volunteered to go overseas and become nurses to our injured soldiers. This is when nurses really began to be called heroes.

What Types of Nurses are There?

There are dozens and dozens of different types of nurses. Some you have probably heard of, such as school nurses and operating room nurses. There are probably many other types of nurses that you didn’t even know existed such as nurse anesthetists and forensic nurses. There are different levels of education and degrees that a nurse can achieve such as LPN, RN, BSN, and MSN.

Things That Nurses Do

Nurses do hundreds of things daily, such as take information from patients, check vital signs, administer medications, and give comfort to patients. Nurses can do almost all of the things that doctors can do (barring surgery!), and in fact, my own children typically see a nurse practitioner instead of a doctor when they have a regular appointment.

My personal favorite type of nurse that I have come in contact with is labor and delivery nurses. Each time that I have been in the hospital to have my babies it’s been the nurses who have kept me company, gotten me ice chips and blankets, and helped me during birth, and even after birth. The doctor might have been the one who delivered my babies, but the nurses were the people that I shared my fears and joys with. For all of you current, future, and retired nurses out there – thank you for all that you do!

Thanks for Reading

Thanks so much for reading this DealDash Blog article on nurses. Be sure to check back often for new articles here are well as on our other blogs, DealDash Reviewed and DealDash Tips. We hope that your DealDash experience is a happy one. Do feel free to let us know how we’re doing in the comments down below.

It’s time to WIN and BIN products on DealDash – perhaps you could win a gift card to donate to the nurses at your local hospital. DealDash has some awesome gift cards to bid on. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!

DealDash Heroes: Firefighters

Welcome to the newest DealDash series, DealDash Heroes! Today we are going to be talking a little bit about firefighters.

Everyone is familiar with firefighters, and many, many little boys (and some little girls!) want to grow up to be firefighters when they grow up. Firefighters are some of the most brave and courageous individuals that I know of. Here is a little but more information about firefighters, their history, and their importance to our communities.

Firefighter History

Can you guess how long organized firefighters in the USA have been around? If you guessed January 27, 1678, you’d be right! The first fire engine company in the USA went into service with its captain Thomas Atkins in January 27, 1678. Before 1678, if there was a fire ordinary citizens would form bucket brigades and attempt to fight the fire themselves. This was typically not very successful, there were many injuries and very few instances of success.

What Else Do Firefighters Do?

When you think of firefighters, you probably have two mental images – fighting fire, of course, and saving kittens that get stuck up in trees. However, firefighters do so much more for the community than just fight fires and rescue kittens! Another huge part of being a firefighter is administering medical aid as well. Interestingly enough, in the USA, more than half of the calls that firefighters go to are actually for medical aid and not for fires! Many firefighters are trained in EMS (Emergency Medical Services) as well as fighting fires. This makes firefighters even more valuable to citizens.

Firefighters work very closely with law enforcement as well. Did you know that every fire that firefighters are called to come help with is considered a crime scene until it is cleared with the police? This means that firefighters have the additional job of preserving evidence and protecting the crime scene as well?

How Can We Thank Firefighters?

Being a firefighter is a difficult and dangerous job. In many cases, the firefighters who are risking their lives for us daily are actually volunteers as well. We should all be grateful to them and show our appreciation for their selfless acts of courage.

Of course, the easiest and best way that you can help your local fire station is to give them a donation. If you don’t want to give a monetary donation, gifts of bottled water, canned goods, blankets, and personal hygiene supplies are typically welcomed as well. If you’re interested in giving this type of donation just give your local fire station a call and see when the best time is to drop off a donation. Show the firefighters how much you appreciate all of their hard work for your community.

Thanks for Reading

Thanks so much for reading this DealDash Blog article on firefighters. Be sure to check back often for new articles here are well as on our other blogs, DealDash Reviewed and DealDash Tips. We hope that your DealDash experience is a happy one. Do feel free to let us know how we’re doing in the comments down below.

It’s time to WIN and BIN products on DealDash – perhaps you could win a gift card to donate to the firefighters at your local fire station. DealDash has some awesome gift cards to bid on. Visit DealDash now to see how much you can save. Good luck and happy bidding everyone!