My county got hit hard by fires and resultant mudslides Dec 2017 and Jan 2018.
Every little bit of aid helps so I am very glad to see some proactive aid being 'approved' by WT corporate.
And IMO a letter soliciting financial aid should be considered normal.
However... As I recall with a disaster 10 or 12 years ago, WT corporate specifically told congregants to make all Disaster Contributions payable to '*Watchtower Worldwide Work* and nothing in the memo area of the check' in order for WT itself to decide where and how to utilize those funds.
Normally, when donating to any organization, especially for disaster relief, it is very common - even expected or requested - to specify which disaster the donator is supporting by writing the event/catastrophe in the memo area of the check.
No so with WT Corp.
The mandated omission of specifying in the memo area allowed these funds to be used anywhere and anyhow - including pedophile defense and settlement.
In other words, by directing contributors to omit any and all reference to a disaster relief effort, allows WT Corp to capitalize and benefit itself only. There is no obligation for WT Corp to actually forward any funds to the aid effort.
I'm interested to know the verbiage of the expected letter to congregations.