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9.14.05
Background
United Way of Greater Knoxville has a history of supporting
others in time of natural disaster. In the past the
United Way board of directors has supported communities
in time of hurricanes and other natural disasters along
the Atlantic coast.
More recently, United Way of Greater Knoxville provided
support for rescue organizations during the September
11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York City, Washington,
D.C., and Pennsylvania. This past winter, United Way
of Greater Knoxville provided support for the victims
of the South East Asian tsunami.
United Way's Response to Hurricane Katrina
Since our role is focused on the long-term needs of
the community, often our work in the immediate aftermath
of a disaster is one of support and coordination, done
in the background.
There are often other organizations in the community
who have specific skills and expertise in emergency
relief. United Way's role is to support those organizations
while assessing the needs and determining a strategy
to begin rebuilding. Our work often gears up after the
cameras leave.
On Tuesday, August 30, 2005, Dee Haslam, United Way
Chairman of the Board, announced United Way of Greater
Knoxville would immediately make a donation of $20,000
to the American Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
We are currently serving in a support role to our 50
partner agencies, including American Red Cross as they
aid displaced families. In doing so, we have been in
regular contact with our partners to coordinate available
resources, provided Red Cross with a laptop computer
for use in their efforts, directed volunteers to immediate
needs, coordinated with agencies to relocate displaced
persons through United Way's stranded travelers fund,
and worked with local corporations that have employees
in the affected areas.
United Way is focused on creating lasting change in
our community. While we must be supportive and understanding
of the historic needs of the people in Louisiana, Mississippi,
Alabama and Florida, many of the residents of these
affected communities have migrated as far north as East
Tennessee and are receiving services in our community.
At the same time, we also need to remember there are
life and death needs in Knoxville that are managed every
day. Because of the community's previous support, our
partners are prepared to respond in times of crisis.
The long-term, future needs will not be met without
the success of our United Way campaign.
How Can You Help?
United Way's partner, American Red Cross, is serving
at the reception point for any people fleeing the disaster
area and will refer individuals to appropriate services.
Calls should be referred to the Red Cross.
As of September 13, the Knoxville Area Red Cross has
closed its Hurricane Katrina relief shelter at First
Baptist Church of Knoxville, transferring the few remaining
evacuees to the shelter at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.
The population at the Civic Coliseum shelter has declined
from a high of nearly 290 to under 200 people. To date,
the Red Cross has served 7,945 meals and snacks and
distributed 442 comfort kits to Hurricane Katrina evacuees
in shelters in Knoxville. Volunteer caseworkers at the
Knoxville Civic Coliseum and the Red Cross Service Center
at Central Baptist Church of Bearden have provided more
than $949,000 in financial assistance to more than 1,555
families affected by Hurricane Katrina. In addition,
1,317 volunteers have helped with the Red Cross relief
effort in Knoxville to date.
United Way of Greater Knoxville will accept designations
to qualified relief agencies such as American Red Cross,
Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, among others. We
will process those gifts into our 2005 campaign and
designate them per the donors' directions. Disaster
designations will be considered one-time gifts.
Please remember, these people need immediate help.
Your gifts through payroll deduction will not be forwarded
until collected. If you want to help one of these agencies
immediately, a gift of cash, check or credit card will
be forwarded as received.
Those wishing to make a donation may also contribute
to the Hurricane Katrina Response Fund established by
United Way of America at www.unitedway.org or by calling
1.800.272.4630. All funds will be allocated for both
front-line disaster relief and long-term recovery needs
as determined by local United Ways in the affected areas,
in coordination with human services agencies and volunteer
centers. Please note that there will be no administrative
fees deducted from individual gifts to the fund.
Unfortunately, in times of disaster, there are individuals
willing to exploit the situation for personal gain.
We would strongly encourage individuals to work through
established organizations in funding relief efforts.
For additional information concerning Knoxville's response
to this tragedy, you may contact:
- American Red Cross-865.584.2999 or www.knoxarc.org
- 211-the non-emergency health and human services direct
dial number. If your telephone exchange does not permit
dialing 211, you may call 865.588.4211.
- United Way of Greater Knoxville-865.523.9131 or www.unitedwayknox.org
Future Actions
Many United Ways will be active in coordinating the
community's response, working with community partners
to ensure immediate needs are met. Since United Ways
are committed to long-term positive changes in community
conditions, for most their primary role will be to be
a leader in the long-term recovery of the community
- the work that goes on for months and often years after
a disaster strikes.
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