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For Immediate Release
09/01/05
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Pippy: Cash Donations Needed Most for Hurricane Katrina Victims

Individuals should volunteer through agencies, not on their own.

Harrisburg -- Volunteer organizations are seeking cash donations to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states, according to state Sen. John Pippy (R-37).  

Volunteers should not report directly to the affected areas unless directed by an established agency, the senator added. 

"As is our tradition, when Americans see their fellow citizens in need, they are moved to lend a helping hand. It is important that we honor this wonderful tradition by doing it in a manner that offers the most relief and doesn't hamper efforts underway," said Pippy.  

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, cash donations are especially helpful to victims, said Pippy. They allow volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs. Cash donations also allow agencies to avoid the labor-intensive need to store, sort, pack and distribute donated goods. Additionally, donated money prevents the prohibitive cost of air or sea transportation that donated goods require. 

Pippy noted that cash donations to volunteer agencies continue to provide help after the waters recede. These agencies provide a wide variety of services after disasters, such as clean up, childcare, housing repair, crisis counseling, sheltering and food. 

The senator also urged anyone considering traveling to the disaster area to instead contact a volunteer agency.  

"Trained professionals know where volunteers are needed most as well as the best way to get them there. People who try to do it on their own will just get in the way and put themselves and others a risk," said Pippy.  "Please donate cash or volunteer through an established agency." 

Below is a list of phone numbers set up solely for cash donations and/or volunteers.  

Donate cash to:

American Red Cross
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English
1-800-257-7575 Spanish 

Operation Blessing
1-800-436-6348 

America's Second Harvest
1-800-344-8070  

Donate Cash to and Volunteer with:

Adventist Community Services
1-800-381-7171  

Catholic Charities, USA
703-549-1390 

Christian Disaster Response
941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554 

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
1-800-848-5818  

Church World Service
1-800-297-1516 

Convoy of Hope
417-823-8998 

Lutheran Disaster Response
800-638-3522  

Mennonite Disaster Service
717-859-2210  

Nazarene Disaster Response
888-256-5886  

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
800-872-3283 

Salvation Army
1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)  

Southern Baptist Convention -- Disaster Relief
1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440  

United Methodist Committee on Relief
1-800-554-8583

For further information: visit the website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) at: www.nvoad.org 

CONTACT: Matt Campion (412) 571-3822