PLATFORM/Relief efforts
Since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on August 29, the affected cities have worked tirelessly to assist survivors. Communities across the nation have pitched in, offering everything from shelter to relief workers. American City & County asked readers of its weekly e-mail newsletter what the government they work for is doing to help with the relief efforts. The following are some of the responses:
“Henrico County is launching an employee fund-raising campaign to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Henrico has created a special hurricane relief committee to coordinate the countywide fund-raising campaign. Director of Social Services Gordon Ragland and Director of Public Utilities Art Petrini will serve as co-chairs of the committee, which will collect cash donations from the county’s approximately 4,000 general government employees through September 23. Funds raised by the county campaign will be distributed to the Greater Richmond Chapter of the American Red Cross. Henrico County Public Schools is coordinating a similar relief effort for hurricane victims.”
— Tamra McKinney, Public Relations & Media Services director, Henrico, County, Va.
“With our one-day fundraiser on Friday [September 2], employees of Fort Myers donated a total of $4,580 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We gave the United Way $2,320; the American Red Cross $1,945 and the Salvation Army $315. We are planning a concert and other activities as well to raise money to send.”
— Tammy Bennett, Main Street manager, Fort Myers, Fla.
“The San Patricio Municipal Water District is the wholesale supplier for municipal and industrial water in the county just north of Corpus Christi, Texas, on the Gulf Coast about 500 miles from New Orleans. This area, which understands hurricanes, has received several thousand people displaced by the storm and is currently meeting their immediate needs for food, shelter and other personal necessities. District staff members have joined with the local volunteer forces and are identifying and responding on a personal basis.”
— Jim Naismith, San Patricio Municipal Water District manager, San Patricio County, Texas
