MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The web-based non-profit organization Do 1 Thing, wants to help build stronger communities by making them prepared in an emergency situation.

People throughout the country are participating in Do 1 Thing and it's become a regional collaboration with the emergency management, public health, human service and non-profit agencies.

Each month the program focuses on a different area of preparedness.

Executive Director of Do 1 Thing, Erika Mahoney explains, "We have 12 different topics for each month and you choose one out of three that you can do. Very simple we have a low cost a high cost and then a medium cost."

This way people will be encouraged to take one step in a specific area and make it financially affordable to gradually become better prepared.

To prepare for 2016, January's theme is 'Make A Plan.' The goal is to understand what puts you at risk from a disaster, take steps to prevent damage to you home in a disaster and learn what disasters can happen in your area and decide what you will do in a disaster.

Having these goals accomplished the process of disaster preparedness moves from awareness to intention to action.