[StBernard] Adopt a Katrina Family

[Westley Annis]

Program Matches Companies / Donors With Families in Desperate Need

    LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses, families,
organizations,
and individuals are being invited to share their holiday spirit with
families
still struggling with the hardships caused by Hurricane Katrina.  Through
http://www.adopt-a-katrina-family.com, donors are being matched with
families and
given their wish lists, which may include items such as new toys, blankets,
school supplies, dishes, or baby food and cleaning supplies.  Without help,
many of these families will have bleak holidays.  Here are just a few of
their
stories:

    *  Our family was hit hard by Katrina.  We are waiting for our FEMA
camper
       to live in while our home is being fixed.  We still haven't heard
from
       insurance ... because we do have insurance, FEMA won't give us
       anything.  My husband and I both lost our jobs because of the storm.
       We went from a middle class income to zero.  It has been very hard on
       my three children... Corey (12), Tyler (9), and Alli (7).  Tyler and
       Alli have asthma and have been having trouble since the storm.
Alli's
       birthday is Nov. 7 and she is very sad that she couldn't have a
party.
       ...  I am really worried about Christmas.  We don't have any money or
a
       place to even buy presents.  I really don't know what to do.  I feel
so
       helpless.  --Kiln, MS

    *  My family and I have been displaced by Katrina and have lost
everything
       we owned  ...  My children are 13, 11, and 7.  We need anything that
       people are willing to donate including cleaning products, washing
       powder, etc. ... Most of all I would like for my children to still
have
       a Christmas, which I will not be able to supply for them this year.
I
       believe that God will provide and never forsake us even though
       everything was here one day and gone the next.  The most important
       thing that we have is each other and love.  Thank you and God Bless.
       --Baton Rouge, LA

    *  My family and I are in need of a lot of help.  We are in a hotel ...
       five of us... We are not getting help from anyone, not even FEMA.  I
       couldn't even get my son a present for his birthday on Nov. 19.  My
       kids will not have a Christmas this year ... let me know if you can
       help?  --Chalmette, LA

    The Adopt-a-Katrina-Family Project's Web site
(http://www.adopt-a-katrina-family.com) is helping meet the needs of Katrina
survivors without hassles or long lines.  The site instantaneously matches a
donor's goodwill with a family's immediate need.  The concept for
adopt-a-katrina-family.com is simple: one family helping another.
    Those who wish to offer assistance, as well as those in need, can simply
register at http://www.adopt-a-katrina-family.com.  The site matches the
requests
made by Katrina survivors with an appropriate donor, then facilitates
contact
between the two.  The Adopt-a-Katrina-Family Project also follows-up with
both parties to ensure the match is working and the needs are being met.
    Last September Century City businessman Mark McLaughlin commissioned and
funded the Adopt-a-Katrina-Family Project because, like most Americans, he
was
frustrated that help is still not reaching those in need.  Recent reports
estimate that 22,000 are still in shelters, and the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) has said it will stop paying hotel bills December 1
for most of about 53,000 displaced families in hotels.  "Our site is unique
because it makes people feel like they're really helping someone in need,
and
they are," says McLaughlin.
    Those who register on adopt-a-katrina-family.com may provide or request
any item or service such as clothing, household items, furniture, school
supplies, fuel cards, cell phones, calling cards, transportation, housing,
jobs, shipping, computers or Internet access.  "Some of the requests we've
received are heartbreaking," says McLaughlin.  "We have survivors who are in
need of items as small as cleaning soap, baby formula or school supplies. We
also have requests for plane and bus tickets so families that are still
separated, can finally be reunited.  They just need to get back on their
feet,
and most of them are not in a position to wait for other help to come
through.
This site makes it possible to help people today."
    A list of online suppliers is posted on the Web site to assist donors
with
easily filling a family's needs.  In the likely event a displaced family
does
not have a permanent address to receive packages, FedEx and UPS will hold
packages at their facilities for pickup.
    If you are someone in need or if you want to provide relief, please
register at http://www.adopt-a-katrina-family.com or call 800-990-4564 for
more
information.



SOURCE The Adopt-a-Katrina-Family Project
Web Site: http://www.adopt-a-katrina-family.com 
 

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