NOTE: In the wake of this disaster, there are thousands of people displaced from their city, their homes, and their jobs. If you know of or have friends, relatives, or colleagues from the affected areas looking to relocate to the Bluegrass area, please have them stop by or contact the Commerce Lexington Inc. office at (859) 226-1600 to receive a Newcomer Relocation Package at NO CHARGE.

Sent September 2, 2005

This Labor Day weekend, millions of American families will be relaxing with their friends and relatives, enjoying food, water, probably cookouts, a roof over their heads, and beds to sleep in. For thousands in the Gulf Coast region affected by Hurricane Katrina, that won't be possible for some time.

As always in times of need, American compassion and spirit comes to the forefront. This current disaster will take months, if not years, to clean up and get entire cities back on their feet. For now, most social service organizations are saying that the best way to help is through financial donations. Below, you'll find a collection of Internet links where donations or more information can be found.

Business-wise, ACCE (American Chamber of Commerce Executives) and the U.S. Chamber will be collaborating with chambers and businesses in the affected areas over the course of the coming weeks to determine what the needs are. As we receive this information from ACCE and/or the U.S. Chamber, we'll pass it along to the members of Commerce Lexington Inc.

Thank you for anything you can do to help. Together, we will get through this difficult situation.

Bob Quick, President & CEO
Commerce Lexington Inc.

We're sure there are many more, so we'll e-mail out more info as we learn about it.

Locally:

United Way of the Bluegrass: Volunteers are needed to answer calls during a telethon for the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund on Wednesday, September 7 from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm.  The telethon will air throughout the day on both WTVQ-TV, WVLK-AM and 92.9 The Bear. If you, your coworkers, family members or friends would like to volunteer, please let us know by calling United Way 2-1-1 at 859-313-5465 or e-mailing 211_info@uwbg.org. The phone bank will be set up at WTVQ, 6940 Man O War Blvd, Lexington, and volunteers should arrive at least 10 minutes prior to their scheduled time. And remember, you can drop off donations to the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund at any area Fifth Third Bank location. Partners in this effort: WTVQ-TV, Cumulus Broadcasting, Fifth Third Bank and the Lexington Legends.

Also visit:
www.wkyt.com
www.Lex18.com
www.wtvq.com
www.Faithstream.com

Nationally:

The American Red Cross is taking donations to help the thousands of victims at http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.

The Salvation Army is providing services for victims and first responders. Donate via the web at http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm or call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. You can also make donations in person at your local Wal-Mart or Sam's Club.

Following is a list of other Web sites offering disaster relief information:

Federal Emergency Management Agency
Phone: 1-800-621-FEMA
http://www.fema.gov/

Louisiana Homeland Security
http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/

City of New Orleans
http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx

Louisiana Governor's Office
http://www.gov.state.la.us/

Catholic Charities
Phone: 1-800-919-9338
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/

FEMA Charity tips
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/help2.shtm

National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
http://www.nvoad.org/

Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
http://www.la-spca.org/

In Mississippi:

Governor Haley Barbour has set up a fund for monetary donations.  Make checks payable to:  Mississippi Hurricane Relief Fund, P. O. Box 3562, Jackson, MS  39207.

Large Donations - The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency is accepting PALLETS of the following items:

Non-perishable food items preferable in cans with pop-top lids, diapers, wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene items, shaving cream, razors, hand soap, mops, disinfectant cleaners, duct tape, rolls of plastic, hammers, nails, tarps, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows.  They should be delivered to the MEMA warehouse at 4750 Northside Methodist Home Road in Jackson.  Call ahead - Ray Elsberry 601-405-2975. 

Housing - The Mississippi Association of Realtors is working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify temporary housing available in the state - unoccupied residential housing, mobile homes, college dorms, commercial buildings which might be used.  Go to the website www.msrealtors.org for information on how to list this information in the National Emergency Resource Directory.

Food - In Jackson, the Mississippi Food Network needs canned meats, soups, beans, etc. along with paper products, etc.  Contact John Alford 601-353-7285.

Food - In Memphis, the Food Bank of Memphis is accepting the same types of items.  Contact Estella Mayhue-Greer, 901-405-0072.

Starkville helping Biloxi - Gerald Mills, Executive Director of the Winston County Economic Development District Partnership, in Louisville, MS, 662-773-8719 has a transport truck that he is loading which will leave Starkville on Sunday to go to the Biloxi High School where his wife, Janice, is working.  He also has 3 shelters open in Winston County.  Call him for details.

Adopt-A-Community - If your organization or community would like to gather items to deliver to a community in South Mississippi - To locate a community and get directions, call the Mississippi Department of Health District Administrator's Office at 601-656-4375.  Ask for Jessica Lane or Tommy Williams. Jessica's cell phone is 601-562-5242.  Tommy's cell phone is 601-480-0473. They are working in the communities to identify needs.  Items that are needed are: personal toiletries, basic over-the-counter medications, neosporin, bandaids, diabetic supplies, anti-bacterial handwash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers, baby wipes, baby clothes, children's clothes, clothes especially loose housedresses for elderly women (sizes S to XXXL), shoes especially flip-flops, underwear for men and women, blankets, pillows, sheets, disinfectant cleaners, and other items you use on a regular basis, along with non-perishable food in pop-top cans, drinks and water.