Sometimes asking for help is necessary.

That doesn't always mean you'll be asked.

To prevent someone from being too proud and not asking for help, offer your assistance.

With the power outages and home damage received during Hurricane Ivan there will definitely be a lot of people in Crenshaw County and the surrounding counties that will need assistance. Whether it be in cleanup efforts or financially, help is needed.

If you know someone in your neighborhood or a friend down the road head to their house and simply help them pick up the limbs and cut the trees from their yard. They more than likely will return the favor by helping you do the same. Don't forget about the elderly that can't cleanup their yards on their own.

It is safe to assume that everyone throughout the county lost all their refrigerated foods. Some families survive on fixed incomes and may not have the necessary funds to restock until the first of the month. Offer your assistance by sending care packages or simply cooking them a hot meal.

Here are some more things you can do to assist not only the citizens in Crenshaw County, but all those affected by Hurricane Ivan's destruction:

n Buy a Hurricane Ivan Survivor t-shirt from hurricaneshirt.net.

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of this t-shirt will benefit relief efforts. Designs are silkscreened onto high quality, preshrunk, 100% Cotton Heavyweight T-shirts.

The price of a shirt up to XL is $12.95. The cost is $15.95 for XXL and $16.95 for XXXL.

n Donate blood. To be a blood donor, Red Cross asks that you call your American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming Red Cross blood drive we ask that you strongly encourage your fellow employees more than ever to roll up their sleeves and give blood-DO IT FOR LIFE.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds and be in good health. To find the nearest drive or to sponsor a drive, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit your nearest Red Cross blood donor center.

n Donate food, clothes and furniture. Cash donations are also needed. Contact any of the below agency to help out:

- American Red Cross

- Brother’s Brother Foundation

- CARE

- Doctors Without Borders USA

- Freedom From Hunger

- International Medical Corps

- International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)

- International Rescue Committee

- Lutheran World Relief

- Mennonite Disaster Service

- Project Hope

- Second Harvest

- UNICEF

- World Wildlife Fund