The Qld Flood Relief Appeal is doing a great job collecting financial donations for QLD Flood Victims, and this financial support will be invaluable in the coming weeks.  However, a brand new online service called HelpOut has potential to offer assistance in a much more practical and hands on way.

This new online service is aimed primarily at people living in or near flood affected communities.  Many of these people may not have been directly affected and would LOVE to be able to help, but are not sure how.  HelpOut is essentially a noticeboard type service, which allows people to “post” notes about the types of items/service that they are able to offer.  People needing assistance can also post information about the types of things that they need.

The types of things that can be offered through HelpOut are limitless, but it is very often the seemingly small, simple things which can give flood victims the biggest boost.  Simple, but  practical things such as:

• looking after a pet
• providing a home cooked meal
• washing and drying a load of laundry
• lending a hand cleaning up
• and many more..

indicate that people do care, and are willing to help, and can be of significant emotional support for flood victims on the road back to normality.

The HelpOut service was only launched yesterday, so as yet has relatively listings, but interest is growing strongly and the volume and types of offers of Help available is expected to dramatically increase over the coming weeks.  The biggest problem at the moment is raising the awareness within fold affected communities that this service is available.

See http://helpout.spaceout.com.au or About HelpOut, or How else to help QLD Flood Victims