West Virginia Mine Disaster: Help Support Victims' Families

When methane gas in a West Virginia mine ignited, it caused an explosion that killed at least 25 coal miners and trapped four others; rescue teams are working around the clock and America is holding its breath, with hope that the trapped miners may, by some miracle, still be alive.

Relief organizations are already on the scene to provide aid, comfort and relief to the victims' families. Here's how you can help:

Note: HuffPost Impact will be continually updating this page. If you know of a fund or organization providing money or aid for the victims' families that you don't see on this page, e-mail us at [e-mail].

•The Salvation Army has responded, supplying food and water to family of the victims and to the more than 150 rescue workers. You can make an area-specific donation to the Salvation Army or, if you live in the area, make an in-kind donation through the e-mail address provided on this page.

•The United Mine Workers of America pledged support for rescue workers and victims' families following the mine explosion. However, they state that the people already on the scene are trained professionals, and may not need additional assistance from the UMWA. They are not asking for donations at this time. Contact Phil Smith at 703-291-2430 with additional questions.

•The West Virginia Council of Churches is raising money for the victims' families. Donate to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund.

•Restaurants and craft shops in Whitesville are preparing food to serve to rescue workers. They are doing what they can, but are accepting donations. Make checks payable to Nuttin' Fancy, P.O. Box 452, Whitesville, WV 25209.

•The American Red Cross is also on the scene, providing mental health services and Emergency Response Vehicles. The organization is not accepting donations designated specifically for the West Virginia Mine Disaster at this time, but you can make a general donation to the Red Cross's Disaster Relief Fund here.

The Red Cross is also providing mental health counseling, a "shoulder to lean on." WATCH:

Comments

[elmoor]

02:56 PM on 04/12/2010

Please, UNIONIZE.

[Jim Marusak]

03:04 PM on 04/09/2010

don't look now folks. but you won't believe who is coming to their town in their time of sorrow and need.
:(

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/us/09westboro.html?hp

[iblogleft]

03:17 PM on 04/07/2010

Support the miners by giving them the mine and the company.

They did up our resources and give it to money grubbing dirt-bags that allow them to die for a profit margin.

These mines would be much safer, and still profitable if given to the workers that create the wealth.

All out requirements for life should be owned by the people who's lives depend on them, and that includes the energy we need to live.

Give the Ipad business to the corporations, our needs should be ours.

[Twentylaws]

12:29 AM on 04/07/2010

Let's not forget the families who loss their loved ones. Their pain will continue long after the media stops focusing on this disaster. My prayers for the entire community being effected by this mining disaster, especially in this recession.

[larry278]

10:33 PM on 04/06/2010

I have been driven to praying for mine workers everywhere for humans can't or won't do anything for coal miners.

[Bushdepression]

07:38 PM on 04/06/2010

Suggestions how to help?

How about forming a political action committee to overturn the actions of the industry flunky that Bush appointed?

[magibrotherhood]

11:08 AM on 04/07/2010

good idea....

Call the WVA governor`s office and DEMAND an investigation and prosecution for Criminal Negligence of those involved.

[USAcraftsman]

06:53 PM on 04/06/2010

I'm not surprised that this is a NON-UNION operation. When will we learn that unions help to protect the worker, whose voice as one is not heard.

[glenburn]

05:13 PM on 04/06/2010

What has the Obama administration had to say about another coal minining disaster following the recent emphasis on fossil fuel energy?

[Mikeeee]

03:26 PM on 04/06/2010

Why wasn't this a front page story last month? And I suspect if the mine had at least half of the violations reported as front page news on HP and then kept track of the progress made to make the mine safer, we might not be reading about 25 dead.
Of course people going to work and home safe at the end of the day isn't important is it? Except of course to their families.

[swsmith]

02:30 PM on 04/06/2010

How dare Huffington Post solicit financial aid for a mine that is non-union and by their own reporting has been riddled with safety violations. The company that owns this mine should be feeding these injured workers truffle salads (exaggeration); I hope someone sues.

I don't know who they think reads their paper, but I for one have barely enough (and not even sometimes) to take care of myself, let alone the unfortunate victims of corporate greed and inefficacy.

How much has Huffington contributed?

[MelRoy]

06:58 PM on 04/06/2010

It's for the victims. It's not for Massey.

[knightoftheroundtable]

10:58 PM on 04/06/2010

Massey is a corporate criminal who gets his own way. He does not care about anything except profits. How sad we have laws but if your rich and have political connections nothing will happen. Business as usual.
Pray for the victims families.

[WeMustSpeakOut]

02:20 PM on 04/06/2010

The Triangle Waist Factory still exists today in various forms.
It's all about the almighty buck and nothing more.

http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/about.html

[Mikeeee]

02:08 PM on 04/06/2010

Voting out the conservatives who gutted the inspection regulations and continue to block advancement in safety standards would be the best help.
For what it's worth a thought to those still trapped and families of those who lost their lives.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-EiwiiAh68

[GypsyGirl]

01:52 PM on 04/06/2010

Upper Branch is a NON-UNION mine

[imademocrat]

02:20 PM on 04/06/2010

All of Massey's mines are non union. In fact, if a person has ever worked for any union, he cannot be employed by Massey.

[ynp7]

01:51 PM on 04/06/2010

The company that operates the mine needs to be doing the "helping." Those who own and manage the site shouldn't need ANY of their money once they're all behind bars.

[Nmsmiami]

01:32 PM on 04/06/2010

does anyone really wonder why there ever emerged a union movement in this country? there
are still occupations and areas where people are forced to work in unsafe and dangerous
conditions in order to feed their families.

[carbolaw]

01:49 PM on 04/06/2010

You have pretty much summed up the state of most of working America. Millions of Americans go to work each day in environments that are unsafe either physically or psychologically. Millions of American workers are injured on the job, discriminated against, stripped of their dignity and left without a voice. The stress from fear of job loss alone has been shown to be one of the greatest stressors on the American worker. These working conditions have made us the Xanex and Prozac nation that we have become. You are right now is indeed the time for a revitalization of the union movement. Let's all play a part in supporting unions and helping to at the least minimize these types of tragedies in the future. These things can only come to pass if we stand together as working Americans.

[cucumber]

02:47 PM on 04/06/2010

I'm willing to bet that most of those workers and their families vote for politicians that are anti-labor, anti healthcare reform, etc. When you do everything to fight your self-interest politically, the word "forced to work in unsafe conditions" is silly; for many it's actually a choice made out of their greed and fear that others shouldn't "get something for nothing."

[DaveInWheaton]

02:53 PM on 04/06/2010

I fear you are correct; does anybody have the statistics?