I used to live in Hoboken, NJ, so I plan to give directly to an organization there - such as their hospital or a shelter-type organization.

So you might want to decide on an area (or state) and do a little research to any smaller organization or direct office of a larger nonprofit so that your donation goes directly to what you're hoping to help, instead of just general administrative functions.

You're also active on the Pet Lovers board - some of the animal shelters around the NJ/NY area allowed people to "drop off" their pets pre-Sandy just as a shelter (not giving up their pets) so that they could then go to a people shelter, so that's another way you could give.

I have some friends in the NJ/NY area, so I'm waiting a bit to see what comes up, as I'm sure more direct-local rebuilding efforts will start up after the current emergency situation and be in need of donations.