September 7, 2005
Dear Community Friends:
In the past week, our nation has experienced the worst natural disaster in our nation’s history. Hurricane Katrina has left thousands displaced, devastated and dead. Many of us have friends and relations in the Gulf Coast area that have been affected by the hurricane. I know first hand, having just found out that my family members, Aunt Ella, cousin Peter, et al, are safe and well.
As Mayor Nickels wrote in a message to all City employees, “We continue to hear from the relief organizations that cash donations are preferred. As evacuees move around the country and relief work continues in the Gulf Coast, cash allows for the greatest flexibility in meeting the needs of those displaced by the hurricane.
“The City of Seattle will be sponsoring a Day of Giving next week, on Thursday, September 15, between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be giving stations throughout the city.” More details will be forthcoming. We all feel a sense of wanting to do something to help. At the precinct, officers and civilian employees alike have gathered funds and clothing to send to the Gulf region to help the evacuees. There are a number of ways we all can help. We encourage you to do what you can. Relief agencies include: www.redcross.org: call 1-800-HELP-NOW or visit www.seattleredcross.org. At least 91 percent of earmarked donations will be used for hurricane relief services. The Red Cross will also be assisting any evacuees who come to Washington State and they also are helping connect families who have been separated by the disaster.
www.secondharvest.org - "America's Food Bank" has pledged to use 100% of earmarked donations for hurricane relief services.
www.nwmedicalteams.org - NW Medical Teams are supporting the affected areas; 96% of their donations benefit their relief services.
www.mercycorps.org - Their focus will be to assist families who have been displaced and/or lost their homes to Katrina; 92% of their donations benefit their relief services.
www.habitat.org - Habitat for Humanity International will be helping to provide assistance and rebuilding opportunities in New Orleans and the rest of the Gulf Coast.
If you have housing, clothing, non-perishable food, or other goods and services that you would like to offer, the State of Washington has set up a hotline and information clearinghouse. They are also encouraging donations to the Washington Cares Fund, in collaboration with Washington Mutual. You can give at any WaMu branch office. Call the Operation Evergreen Community Support Line at 1-800-941-2930 for more information.
Personal Preparedness
This past week has shown us that preparedness is critical. While we in the Puget Sound region may never experience a hurricane, there are other natural disasters we have experienced, such as tornados and severe wind, snow and ice storms. There is one thing important to note about the above disasters: we knew they were coming and had
at least some warning. There is one natural disaster to which we are susceptible that provides little or no warning: earthquakes.
The City has the Seattle Disaster Aid and Response Team (SDART) program. We provide information and education to prepare for and assist each other in the event of a
natural disaster. Please, call me at 206-386-9766 to schedule an emergency preparedness meeting. For more about emergency preparedness, visit: www.seattleredcross.org,www.seattle.gov/emergency_mgt/ or www.ready.gov
Take Care and Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon
South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
CATALYSIS®
1601 EAST JOHN ∙ SEATTLE WASHINGTON 98112
lee@catalysis.com ∙ 206.860.2524 (direct) ∙ 206.826.8888 (fax)
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, are the property of Catalysis Corporation, and are intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee, your access to and use or distribution of this email and its attachments is unauthorized and you may not use, disseminate, distribute, copy or make any other use of it. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender.
No comments:
Post a Comment