Our View: Whew!

Wednesday did not exactly dawn bright and clear, but at least a visible, and blessedly welcome, red glare peeked over the Blue Ridge. Yes, and finally, we had “made it through the rain,” as Barry Manilow might sing. And the wind. And the mess.

Whew!

The Northern Valley, though thoroughly drenched, had — save for some downed trees and instances of lost power — largely escaped the full force of Sandy’s wrath.

For many to the north of us, this was not the case. Hit especially hard was the New York metropolitan area.

Americans, an instinctively charitable people, want to know how they can help. On Monday, Gov. McDonnell reminded us that the state-managed Virginia Disaster Relief Fund was established last year for just such a purpose — to aid fellow Virginians in need.

Nationally, such organizations as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army have taken advantage of social media — Twitter and Facebook, primarily — to reach out to folks eager to help. If you’re disposed to lend such a hand, we suggest you check out those sites today.