The situation: We see a disaster happen and we want to help.

This is really generous and understandable. Miss. Geist explains:

We empathize.

So we think about what we can do to help. One of the most common reactions is to collect donations... things that we think survivors might need.

(This is where Miss. Geist leads us astray...)

At first some of this things make a lot of sense -- like blankets and diapers:

But, um, then things can take a turn...

It's not just Cher -- we have documentation going back all the way to the Galveston Hurricane of 1900 of people sending useless donations.

It's not to say that tennis rackets and skis don't need to be replaced it's just saying that 24 hours after a disaster isn't the time when those things are needed.

Though, to be fair, different people have different priorities.

But the movie wasn't ALL Clueless (sorry).

They did show some good donating behaviors. If you are going to collect tangible donations then you should at least help manage those donations.

Cher went out and found volunteers to come help.

She sorted all of the donations.

(albeit not always in the most helpful way)

Conclusion:
Donations management is hard. Despite good intentions, we often donate inappropriate items, at the wrong time, in the wrong place, and to the wrong people. We often overwhelm communities who don't have the people or systems in place to manage donations.

This is happening now in California. So, yes, please donate but DONATE MONEY, not things so you don't make the situation worse.

Clearly, I've simplified here so read this post for a more detailed explanation: http://www.disaster-ology.com/home/2017/8/26/-hurricane-harvey-how-to-help--8xpbg-7yf88-chgdy-rj7xm