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Hurricane Katrina Update
(September 9, 2005)
B'nai B'rith
members, donors, supporters, and friends have been responding
by phone, mail, and Internet to the Hurricane Katrina Disaster
Relief Fund.
While more contributions are coming in
every day, we have so far tallied over $400,000 in gifts of
all amounts. Each contribution-from the smallest to the
largest-is valued. As we have done for 140 years, we pledge to
use each contribution in the most effective way
possible.
Our response to this terrible disaster is
taking four tracks: to help provide housing immediately and in
the near future; to provide clothing; to help provide food;
and to provide needed pharmaceuticals and medical
supplies.
Our practice in disaster relief has been to
work with trusted partner organizations with special expertise
or experience in the affected communities so that we can best
reach the people in need and direct our assistance where it is
most needed and can be most effective in meeting short- to
mid-term needs. As always, our efforts are carried out on
behalf of the general and Jewish community.
Because
the damage in the Gulf Coast was so extensive and its effects
will be felt for months and, possibly, years to come, we are
also planning for long-term assistance to help those who have
been temporarily or permanently relocated around the country.
We will also evaluate requests for specific rebuilding
projects within affected communities.
A few specific
projects already underway:
We are actively working with U.S. government
agencies to provide housing for displaced senior citizens
who meet federal age and income requirements for HUD
housing. We will be assisting these individuals to relocate,
providing furniture, clothing, and support to help them
become comfortable in their new apartments, whether for a
short-term or a permanent relocation.
B'nai B'rith
Canada has announced a clothing collection for September 25.
They anticipate collecting several thousand pounds of
wearable clothing that will be shipped to U.S. B'nai B'rith
regions and units for sorting and eventual distribution to
those affected by the hurricane and the subsequent
flooding.
Great Lakes Region B'nai B'rith members are
assisting families relocated from the Gulf Coast to hotels
in the Detroit suburb of Southfield.
Other
projects are being developed and will be announced very
shortly.
B'nai B'rith International opened its Disaster
Relief Fund as soon as the need for our assistance was
evident. We are listed in virtually every major newspaper,
media outlet, and government listing of agencies accepting
donations, and President Kaplan has posted a special letter to
all members, donors, and friends at the top of the B'nai
B'rith Web site (www.bnaibrith.org) or by
calling our toll-free number, 1-888-388-4224.
Our
program efforts will take place in the affected area as well
as in many of the communities across the country to which
victims have been relocated.
If you have contributed,
consider making an additional contribution. If you have
friends or family members looking for a place to make a
contribution that will be used wisely and effectively, have
them go to www.bnaibrith.org and click on
Hurricane
Katrina. Or mail your gift to:
B'nai B'rith
Disaster Relief Fund
2020 K St., NW, 7th
floor
Washington, DC
20006
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