The "Scoop" on How to help
Send money, not things. That's the advice from state emergency officials as churches, relief agencies and people all across Kentucky prepare to answer the call for help. Officials noted that money can buy the supplies that can do the most good.
Many groups - large, small, and seemingly well-intentioned - promise to raise money to benefit hurricane victims. Unfortunately, not everyone does what they say they will do.
Several of these groups say they are raising money for the American Red Cross.
Before donors can be sure that the Red Cross will receive proceeds from a fundraiser, groups must speak with officials in their local chapter and sign a contract to use the Red Cross logo, said Cara Perch, director of Volunteer Services at the Bluegrass Area American Red Cross Chapter. If the Red Cross logo is visible, it's likely the fundraiser is approved.
The Red Cross follows up with these groups to ensure the proceeds are properly and promptly donated.
Most reliably, though, givers should check with the Bluegrass Chapter of the Red Cross Website for the most current listing of sanctioned events.
Call before you go: Anyone attempting to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina by coming to the area, are asked to call (800) 618-1689. This number is a national volunteer phone bank that has been setup to organize volunteers who are thinking of traveling to the affected areas. The number is answered by organizers as well as staff at the Kentucky National Guard. The Guard strongly encourages anyone considering going to these areas to contact them first. This number is also the statewide donation hotline.
The Better Business Bureau has a Website (www.give.org/) that gives detailed reports on many of the relief organizations providing assistance to ensure that your donations go to the intended purpose.
Local and Regional
American Red Cross (Lexington): WKYT-27, LM Communications and Central Bank are partnering to collect for the American Red Cross. Cash donations can be made at any Central Bank.
For credit card donations to the Red Cross, call (859) 253-1331, Ext. 305. Or mail checks to the Red Cross, 1450 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Ky. 40511.
A training session for anyone interested in becoming a disaster relief volunteer will be today.
The Daniel Boone Chapter American Red Cross will collect donations by mail at 213 West Main Street, Richmond, Ky. 40475. For a credit card donation, call (859) 623-1336. Check donations should indicate charity preference.
A&A Express Trucking: Donors may drop off items by Sept. 9 at Eastside Baptist Church, 2010 Catalpa Loop, Richmond; Richmond Chamber of Commerce, 201 East Main Street, Richmond; A&A Express, 100 Industrial Drive, Richmond. Water is especially needed.
Billy's BBQ, 101 Cochran Rd., Lexington, is having a fundraiser today, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The employees are working for free and all money taken in by the restaurant on that day is being donated to the Katrina disaster fund at United Way.
Christian Appalachian Project: Accepting supplies and monetary donations online at www.chrisapp.org. Mail to CAP Operation Relief, P.O. Box 511, Lancaster, Ky. 40444, or call 1-866-270-4227.
Employment Guide, Cincinnati Edition, in conjunction with Matthew 25 Ministries, has announced plans for the "Make a Difference" Career Fair to be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 20 at the Cintas Center's Schiff Family Conference Center on the campus Xavier University.
The Employment Guide will donate a sizeable portion of the revenues generated at this event to support disaster relief for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Employment Guide's staff will also collect donations of essential supplies including canned and non-perishable food, bottled water, cleaning products, personal hygiene supplies, clothes, blankets, etc. at the fair. These items will then be given to Blue Ash-based Matthew 25 Ministries for redistribution to the victims of the hurricane. Additionally, Hoxworth Blood Center will be on Xavier's campus September 20, hosting a blood drive at the Gallagher Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Generators: Model Laboratory School is raising money to buy generators. Send checks to Model Laboratory, Louisiana Exchange Relief Fund, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, Ky. 40475.
J. Allen Studio and Spa: 527 South Upper Street, will have a haircutting fundraiser Sept. 10, 1 to 4 p.m with money going to relief effort in New Orleans. The spa suggests a $20 minimum donation. The United Way will a representative there to accept the donations. Jonathan and Mia's restaurants will be bringing food.For other details, call the studio at 231-6445.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers is featuring a special display of books during the month of September to help benefit the American Red Cross. Titles were chosen to celebrate the history, music and cuisine of hurricane damaged area.
Joseph-Beth will donate all proceeds from the special displays to the American Red Cross. A list of the corresponding titles will be available on www.josephbeth.com , along with links directly to the Red Cross donation page, for shoppers who may want to make a contribution directly to the Red Cross.In addition, the store is a drop off point for any cash donations patrons wish to make for the American Red Cross.
Kentucky Children's Hospital will host a radiothon with WLXX 92.9 The Bear Sept. 15 through 17. The Country for Kids Radiothon was planned to benefit Kentucky Children's Hospital. However, Dr. Tim Bricker, professor and chair of UK pediatrics and physician-in-chief of Kentucky Children's Hospital, has announced that 100 percent of proceeds from the radiothon will benefit Children's Hospital - New Orleans. The radiothon will be broadcast live from Joseph-Beth Booksellers at Lexington Green.
Medical assistance: Kentucky's State Emergency Operations Center is seeking volunteer doctors, nurses and respiratory therapists. They must be able to tolerate primitive living conditions. Download a form at http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/epi/preparedness/ or call Rebecca Rogers at (502) 564-7243.
Pasture/farms: The United States Equestrian Federation is seeking horse farms or pasture space to house hurricane refugee horses and ponies. Volunteer veterinarians are also needed. Call (859) 225-6993.
Salvation Army will take applications for persons who wish to volunteer locally in the event that there is a need. Applications will be taken at The Salvation Army, 736 West Main Street, Lexington, KY on the following days and times:
- Wednesday, September 7, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 8, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
- Friday, September 9, 3:00 -8:00 p.m.
All applicants should bring a photo ID. Individuals wanting to volunteer in Louisiana, Mississippi or Alabama should complete the volunteer application on line at: www.saussw.org/crd/dsrreg.nsf/registrationw?OpenForm For more information contact: Major Debra Ashcraft, Associate Area Coordinator, (859) 252-7706.
The Salvation Army will accept donations online or call (859) 252-7706. To donate online, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org/USNSAHome.htm. Mail donations to Salvation Army, 736 West Main, Lexington, Ky. 40508. Make checks to Salvation Army and indicate for Hurricane Katrina Relief.
Talon Winery will host a fundraising event for the victims of Hurricane Katrina from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, September 23. Entertainment will include live music, appetizer buffet, and wine tastings at the winery pavilion at 7086 Tates Creek Road in Lexington. A minimum donation of $20 per person is required. Talon is offering a gift certificate for a private wine tasting for 20 people in Talon's private wine tasting room to the largest donation. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross to support the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. Event held rain or shine. For additional information or to make reservations, please call (859)971-3214.
United Way of the Bluegrass: WTVQ-TV and some Cumulus radio stations will have a telethon from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday to raise money for the United Way's hurricane relief fund. United Way of the Bluegrass will forward monetary donations to the United Way chapters in the affected states. Donations can be made at any Fifth Third Bank location, online at www.uwbg.org or by mailing a check or money order to: Hurricane Katrina Response Fund, c/o United Way of the Bluegrass, 2480 Fortune Drive, No. 250, Lexington, Ky. 40509
The University of Kentucky has created a new Web site to share information about disaster relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The site -- http://www.uky.edu/rotator2/subpages/recovery.html -- features information about what UK is doing to help displaced students from Louisiana and Gulf Coast universities and fundraising efforts being planned across campus and by UK HealthCare.
Churches
Adventist Community Services: NAD ACS Disaster Response, 2501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, Md. 20904; www.communityservices.org; 1-877-227-2702.
Assemblies of God: Accepting donations online at www.disasterrelief.ag.org or by mail at AG Benevolences Disaster Relief, Account No. 874-001-030007SC 73, 1445 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, Mo. 65802-1894.
B'nai B'rith International: Mail donations to 2020 K Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006; (212) 490-3290, www.bnaibrith.org.
Catholic Diocese of Lexington: Churches urged to take up special collections or send donations to the diocese, 1310 West Main Street, Lexington, Ky. 40511, by Sept. 14. The money will be forwarded to Catholic Charities USA.
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC): Call 1-800-552-7972 or go to www.crwrc.org. Checks should be made out to CRWRC, earmarked Hurricanes 2005, and sent to 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue, SE, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49560.
Church World Service: Mail donations to Hurricane Katrina Response, No. 6280, P.O. Box 968 Elkhart, Ind. 46515. Call 1-800-297-1516 or go to www.churchworldservice.org.
Episcopal Diocese of Lexington: Donations accepted through individual churches or mail to Episcopal Relief and Development; P.O. Box 12043; Newark, N.J. 07101.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Domestic: Mail to ELCA Disaster Response, P. O. Box 71764, Chicago, Ill. 60694-1764. Checks payable to ELCA Disaster Response and designate checks to Hurricane Katrina.
Islamic Circle of North America:Donate online at https://icnany.org/Donation/Donation.php?a=relief. Local efforts are being coordinated with the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge, La. Call (718) 658-7028.
Kentucky Baptist Convention: Send donations to KBC, Dept. 5088, P.O. Box 740041, Louisville, Ky. 40201-9976; credit card donations accepted at www.kybaptist.org/dr.
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod: Mail to LCMS World Relief/Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, Mo. 63166-9810. Designate checks to 2005 Hurricanes Gifts and make payable to LCMS World Relief.
Presbytery of Transylvania: Donations should be made to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance through individual churches. Mark checks for hurricane relief. Direct contributions can be made to the Presbyterian Church USA; Individual Remittance Processing, P. O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15264-3700.
Southern Baptist Convention: Disaster Relief, NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, Ga. 30368-6543. Online donations at www.namb.net/site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.224451/k.7BDB/Disaster_Relief_Homepage.htm; 1-800-462-8657, Ext. 6440. Checks payable to the North American Mission Board (NAMB).
United Church of Christ: Mail to the Office for Global Sharing of Resources, Wider Church Ministries, 700 Prospect Avenue. Cleveland, Ohio 44115. Checks payable to Wider Church Ministries and marked to Emergency USA.
United Methodist Church Committee on Relief (UMCOR) Mail to: UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.Checks made out to: UMCOR. Designate checks to "UMCOR Hurricanes 2005 Global". Donations can also be placed in an offering plate at any local United Methodist Church.
National
America's Second Harvest: Donate online at www.secondharvest.org/. Call 1-800-771-2303 or (312) 263-2303. Mail donations to America's Second Harvest, 35 East Wacker Drive, No. 2000, Chicago, Ill. 60601. Make checks to America's Second Harvest for Katrina Hurricane Relief.
AmeriCares Foundation: AmeriCares is a nonprofit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization. Donate online at www.americares.org/. Call 1-800-486-4357. Donate by mail to AmeriCares, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, Conn. USA 06902. Make check to AmeriCares for Hurricane Disaster Relief.
Best Friends Animal Society: This group works with shelters and rescue groups nationwide with homeless pets. It also operates the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals. Donate online at www.bestfriends.org/. Call (435) 644-2001, Ext. 104, 106, or 155. Mail donations to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741. Make checks to Best Friends Animal Society, indicate for Hurricane Disaster Relief.
Humane Society of the United States: Donate online at https://secure.hsus.org/01/donate/?source=gabahk. Call (202) 452-1100. Mail donations to The Humane Society of the United States, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037.
(Reprinted with permission, The Lexington Herald-Leader, ©2005)
Efforts Being Made at EKU to Support Hurricane Katrina Recovery
The efforts listed below are compiled from information received by the Division of Student Affairs. Other efforts are on-going, both on campus and in the community, and additional information will be provided via this web site as it becomes available..
Student Groups
Palmer Hall Council
A penny war between the floors to raise money for the American Red Cross.
Lambda Alpha Epsilon
Collecting all sorts of supplies, like clothes, shoes, canned food, etc. We are accepting any kind of donation. Willing to work with other organizations
Interpreter Training Program Association (ITPA)
This group has decided to donate $100 to the Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge in support of relief efforts. They will be sending a check directly out of their association account to Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3074.
Residence Life Council
Contributions obtain during the "Sleep Out for the Homeless", scheduled for Friday night, September 16th, will go toward hurricane relief efforts
Financial Management Association
Financial Management Association plans to sell Wave of Hope wrist bands.
Greek Affairs
Greek Affairs will be doing a donation table from 9 am - 3pm on Powell corner September 8, 9, 14, 15 & 16.
Greek Affairs will also be hosting a benefit concert in the Ravine at 8pm on September 19th, featuring talented members of the EKU Greek community.
Eastern Kentucky Middle School Association
The EKU Middle School Association will be collecting funds through the "Beads for the Bayou" program with the American Red Cross. Donations will be used primarily to support teachers and the rebuilding of schools in affected areas, as well as supporting the Red Cross's efforts to victims. Donors will receive Mardi Gras beads so that they can show their support.
Colonels for Christ
Colonels for Christ are willing to help in whatever way they can. Willing to provide any assistance needed.
EKU Corbin Campus
The Corbin campus SGA will be meeting to decide on some Hurricane outreach programs in the Corbin area. Point of Contact Shane Davis 859-388-0398.
Campus Offices
EKU Counseling Center
Eastern also provides counseling for people directly and indirectly affected by the hurricane. A downloadable fact sheet is available on the counseling center's Web site, www.counseling.eku.edu.
ARAMARK Dining Services
1. At EKU, ARAMARK has set up a program for our meal plan students to donate a meal in the name of disaster relief. A student on a meal plan may enter the Fresh Food Company, have their ID card swiped and the cost of the food allocation that would have been consumed will be donated to the American Red Cross. The student will swipe their card and then exit the dining facility. For each meal given up, ARAMARK at EKU will set aside $2.00 for the contribution. If each student on a meal plan gives up 1 meal, the potential contribution will be in excess of $5,000. We will designate Wednesday, September 14th, at the lunch meal, as the meal that students will be allowed to make this donation.
2. ARAMARK at EKU will work directly with the Housing Office to make specific arrangements for any students that have been affected by the hurricane disaster, for traditional closed periods and holidays. More specific information will follow.
3. ARAMARK Corporation has numerous efforts in place to assist the refugees from the gulf coast, as we have many business partners and clients that have been seriously affected. We have numerous shelters where we are serving emergency meals. Many of our southern colleges and universities are assisting with incoming students serving them on other campuses that have not been affected. Many of our managers from various lines of our businesses have volunteered to assist serving at crucial locations in Houston, San Antonio and Dallas as well.
4. ARAMARK Corporation has set up a disaster relief fund for the American Red Cross. ARAMARK Corporation has given a $500,000 contribution directly to the American Red Cross. They have also set up a matching fund for contributions from ARAMARK employees. Our Corporation will match dollar for dollar contributions made through our corporate office to the American Red Cross.
Office of Volunteerism
Red Cross - Madison County 859-623-1336
Red Cross will accept donations of money at their office next to the courthouse on Main Street in Richmond. Volunteers are needed at the local office with support work.
Recommendation:
1) Great opportunity for individual students to serve locally. The office always needs people to help at their office with support work.
2) Cash donations can be dropped off at the Red Cross office located next to the courthouse.
University Housing
Refugee students transferring to EKU will be provided basic necessities when living on campus. Housing will provide sheets, pillows, blankets and towels as well as basic toiletries for students when they arrive. Arrangements are being made with the campus laundry vendor to provide laundry services as well. Students will be provided opportunity to academic year housing if they are interested.
Housing and Campus Dining will partner together to set students up with appropriate meal plans for the semester. Additionally, various food options will be available for students that will be required to remain on campus during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
The First Year Experience Community Service floor, the Floor of Promise, University Housing, and the College of Education are partnering together to conduct a children's book drive. Books will be distributed to children impacted by Katrina. Additionally, these groups will be working together with the Office of Volunteerism to conduct "after school" activities with refugees displaced to London and Corbin.
Other Community Efforts
United Way of the Bluegrass
In partnership with the Kentucky Division of Emergency Management, United Way of the Bluegrass is accepting donated goods for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort. Donations will be accepted at United Way's Gifts In Kind warehouse, located at 961 Beasley Street, from 9:00 am until 7:00 pm weekdays, and 9:00 am until 5:00 pm on weekends.
Red Bird Conference - (Bennett Center) - London, KY (606) 877-1964
The Bennett Center will be receiving 70 refuges this week. They will stay for about 3 months. Contact Susan Mitchell-Westbrook. They will not have any more information until later this week. This could open up as an opportunity for student groups to help with younger kids.
**Need African American Students.
First Baptist Church in Richmond and the American Red Cross
Preparing to receive hurricane victims at the church's former location on Main and Lancaster. According to American Red Cross and FBC officials, there will be a Red Cross rep on site at all times, 24 hours/day. Cots will be available through the Red Cross. Items that needed are: 2 refrigerators, 2 stoves/range, and several microwaves. AT&T has agreed to install telephone service at no charge. Adelphia Cable is installing cable hookup along with internet access. They are also in need of a couple of computers with modems. A couple of rooms may be converted into shower facilities. Several other utility companies are also involved in relief efforts at this building.
Other Useful Information
These links provide valuable information about disaster assistance, volunteering and donating.
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org
USA Freedom Corps
www.usafreedomcorps.gov
National Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster
www.nvoad.org
Humane Society of the United States
Thousands of concerned citizens have donated to the relief effort by calling 1-800-HUMANE-1 or by visiting www.hsus.org. People who visit the web site can now see video footage of The HSUS's DART teams in action in New Orleans.
