Governor Rell Announces Coordinated Relief Effort to Assist Hurricane Katrina Victims

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced a coordinated Connecticut relief effort to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina, including collection centers set up at state National Guard Armories where donations of bottled water, ready-to-eat food, batteries and other supplies will be received, and possible additional actions by state agencies.

 

            “We are all horrified by the heartbreaking photos, video and news stories from Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and many people have friends or family in the affected areas,” Governor Rell said. “In any event, I know the people of Connecticut care deeply and want to help in any way possible.

 

            “I am placing calls to Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and Alabama Governor Bob Riley, and my office has been in contact with organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Americares – headquartered here in Connecticut – about the items needed most as the recovery begins.”

 

            Six Armories have been designated as collection centers: The Hartford Armory, at 360 Broad Street; the New Haven Armory at 209 Goffe Street; the New London Armory at 249 Bayonet Street; the Norwalk Armory at 290 New Canaan Avenue; the Putnam Armory at 25 Keech Street; and the Waterbury Armory at 64 Field Street.

 

            The following commodities are needed:

n      Bottled water

n      Easily opened, non-perishable food and snacks

n      Batteries

n      Blankets

n      Tarps and tents

 

            The Armories will be staffed by members of the Connecticut Army National Guard weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., beginning Thursday, September 1. Large or bulky donations (i.e., corporate donations) should be coordinated through Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cody at (860) 524-4951.

 

            Once the donations have been collected and sorted they will be shipped by air. Representatives of the air cargo industry at Bradley International Airport have assured the Governor’s Office that they will get the supplies to the affected area.

 

            The Governor’s staff is also contacting representatives of in-state bottled water companies such as Crystal Rock, Nestle (bottler of Poland Spring), Coca-Cola (maker of Dasani), and Pepsi (maker of Aquafina).

 

            Governor Rell will be meeting with key state agencies Wednesday afternoon to discuss possible additional state actions. Responding agencies include the Departments of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Public Health, Environmental Protection and Transportation.

 

            The Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is in contact with its sister states through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) to assess the situation and needs of impacted states. Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are currently assessing the assistance they need. Once they articulate those needs, Connecticut stands ready to act.

 

            EMAC establishes a mutual partnership with other states to provide aid and assistance in times of emergency. Once a state requests assistance through EMAC, the member states send personnel and equipment to help disaster relief efforts, augmenting the assistance already provided by the affected state and the federal government.

 

            At the same time, Governor Rell continues to urge residents who are able to make financial contributions to charitable organizations such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and Americares, which are able to make the most out of even relatively small donations through their bulk purchasing power.

 

To donate to the Red Cross, call (800) HELP NOW or (800) 257-7575 (Spanish) or contribute online by visiting www.redcross.org .

 

To donate to the Salvation Army, call (800) SAL-ARMY or contribute online by visiting www.salvationarmyusa.org .

 

To donate to Americares, call (800) 486-HELP or contribute online by visiting www.americares.org .