YOU are devastated by what happened, and you want to help. While helping hands are always welcome especially in times of calamity, you might make things harder for the organizing group or even the victims, if you go about it the wrong way.

Do:

MOBILIZE YOUR FRIENDS. Send messages on Twitter and Facebook, text people ? reach out to your network. You?ll never know who might want to help.

BRING READY-TO-EAT FOOD. Forget canned goods and instant noodles; try bringing packed meals, sandwiches, bottled water, juice boxes, candy ? anything that?s easy to distribute and eat, and hopefully, that won?t spoil easily.

WEAR COMFORTABLE CLOTHES. A white polo and crisp jeans may look good, but skip light-colored clothes ? the last thing you?ll want to worry about is your outfit. Bring an extra shirt if you?re sweat-prone.

BRING A FIRST-AID KIT. Volunteers tend to suffer injuries such as small wounds and bruises, so have a first-aid kit so you won?t have to bug the organizing group for medicine. Make sure to bring extra food and water for yourself.

WEAR A SMILE. No matter how tired you are, or how hard the volunteer work gets, keep in mind that others have it worse. A smile makes people feel better ? and if you?re happy about what you?re doing, it should come automatically.

Don?t:

VOLUNTEER JUST BECAUSE IT?S COOL. Help out because you sincerely want to, not because you want to look good before your crush. Think of others, and not the benefits the extra brownie points will bring you.

MAKE YOUR ?YAYA? AND BODYGUARDS DO ALL THE WORK. A lot of high-profile politicians, celebrities, and children of politicians and celebrities have been seen at relief drives. While a lot of them do have good intentions, some have been spotted making their helpers do a good part of the work. (Also, they could be making other volunteers uncomfortable, too).

BE SQUEAMISH. A friend told me about a high school girl who immediately doused her hands with alcohol after someone helped her up on a truck ? in front of the person who helped her. It?s insulting to keep bringing out your kikay kit every time you come in contact with someone. If you?re more worried about dirtying your hands, stay at home.

DONATE STALE GOODS AND RAGGED CLOTHES. The flood victims have already lost a lot; don?t make them lose their dignity by forcing old goods on them. Before donating anything, ask yourself: Is this something I would wear or eat myself? If not, don?t give it.

PLASTER YOUR NAME ON EVERYTHING. Labeling everything with your name is just crass ? it means there are strings attached to your donation. Keep your donations anonymous.

Email the author at biancaconsunji@yahoo.com