Tuesday, October 18, 2005

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Habitat hammers out ambitious plan

Habitat hammers out ambitious plan: "Habitat hammers out ambitious plan
Nonprofit ratchets up home building pace
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
By Leslie Williams
Staff writer

The New Orleans affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is poised to build at least 150 homes for low-income residents of the city during the next nine months -- an unprecedented feat for a nonprofit organization that averages about nine homes a year, said Jim Pate, director of the local chapter.

In the following 24-month period, another 1,000 to 2,000 Habitat houses will be constructed in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Bernard parishes, according to a home-building effort fueled by Habitat for Humanity International."

NPR : Disaster Aid Donations Remain Steady

NPR : Disaster Aid Donations Remain Steady: "Disaster Aid Donations Remain Steady

Listen to this story... by Luke Burbank

Morning Edition, October 18, 2005 � A tsunami in Asia, hurricanes in the United States and an earthquake in South Asia raise the question of whether 'compassion fatigue' would slow charitable donations. But so far, aid organizations say they are not seeing a drop-off in giving.
"

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Scots quake donations reach �1.6m

Scotsman.com News - Latest News - Scots quake donations reach �1.6m: "Scots quake donations reach �1.6m

Generous Scots have now donated �1.6 million to the South Asia earthquake appeal, it has been announced.

The sum is part of more than �15 million which has been pledged across Britain to the Disasters Emergency Committee's (DEC) fundraising effort."

United Press International - Intl. Intelligence - Analysis: Asia quake worse than tsunami?

United Press International - Intl. Intelligence - Analysis: Asia quake worse than tsunami?: "Analysis: Asia quake worse than tsunami?

By WILLIAM M. REILLY
UPI U.N. Correspondent

UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- U.N. humanitarian officials say relief continues to pour in for the mounting number of victims from the South Asia earthquake and some officials said the destruction of structures may be worse than the Dec. 26, 2004, Indian Ocean tsunami.

The earthquake dead are estimated at near 30,000 with huge swathes of the Himalayas in northern Pakistan still unreachable. Some 176,000 were killed in the tsunami, but another 50,000 are still missing.

The earthquake has destroyed more than 80 percent of structures and buildings in parts of northern Pakistan, officials in the nation's capital, Islamabad, said. Many cities and villages in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and North West Frontier Province, the most affected areas, have been wiped out."

Red Cross in critics' cross hairs - Yahoo! News

Red Cross in critics' cross hairs - Yahoo! News: "When Americans stepped up to help victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, most wrote the check to the
American Red Cross.
ADVERTISEMENT

The nation's largest disaster-relief organization has received more than 70% of the $1.7 billion Americans have donated to hurricane relief: $1.2 billion has poured in to the Red Cross since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29.

The Red Cross has sent 172,000 volunteers to run shelters, feed evacuees and give money to families. It opened 1,150 shelters; this weekend it was still housing 7,139 people in 81 shelters. It has given cash to 1.1 million families.

But with visibility has come scrutiny and some criticism:"

Monday, October 17, 2005

Corporate Donations to Katrina Relief on Track to Surpass Tsunami Corporate Giving

CECP | Tracking Disaster Relief Efforts




CECP hosts conference call Friday, October 14 at 2:00 EST to discuss corporate response to the earthquake in Pakistan. For more information contact: info@corphilanthropy.org

CECP members are actively assisting with recovery efforts in areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. To facilitate information sharing, CECP members are asked to provide updates on their disaster relief efforts by providing press releases and program updates.

* CECP Press Release - Corporate Donations to Katrina Relief on Track to Surpass Tsunami Corporate Giving ~ Early Comparative Crisis Data Released by CECP, Including Data from 21 Fortune 100 Companies
CECPpressrelease091905.pdf (application/pdf Object)

Tri-City Herald: Local- Charities provide aid between crises

Tri-City Herald: Local: "Charities provide aid between crises

This story was published Sunday, October 16th, 2005

By Andrew Sirocchi, Herald staff writer

Food drives, clothes drives and fund-raisers sprang up around the Mid-Columbia almost immediately after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast.

Doctors and nurses volunteered their time and expertise. Businesses donated their services. More than two dozen refugees found dry homes among Tri-Citians who opened their doors.

Now, local nonprofit groups are asking generous Mid-Columbians to remember that charity starts at home."

Katrina, gas costs sting charities

Katrina, gas costs sting charities: "Katrina, gas costs sting charities

By HEMA EASLEY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
Powered by Topix.net
(Original publication: October 16, 2005)

Just before Hurricane Katrina hit, Helen Hayes Hospital sent out 1,800 invitations for its annual fundraising gala in November, based on the theme 'New Orleans Style.'

The event had been planned in advance, and the invitations were in the mail, so the hospital couldn't change the theme. But when the extent of the destruction became apparent, Helen Hayes felt it was only appropriate to commit a portion of the money to help the hurricane victims."

The Hindu News Update Service-UK disaster fund reaches 12 mn pounds

The Hindu News Update Service: "UK disaster fund reaches 12 mn pounds

London, Oct. 17. (Guardian News Service): The British Disasters Emergency Committee has raised GBP12m for survivors of the South Asia earthquake since launching its appeal earlier this week.

A spokesman for the organisation, which is coordinating the fundraising efforts of 13 aid agencies, said: 'We were receiving donations on Monday morning, when we had 1,000 lines open and people were also able to make donations online. We made an official announcement at Tuesday midday with our phone number and we launched the TV ads on Thursday, when we also had a live call centre.'"

Nonprofits fear fatigue - Top Stories - MSNBC.com

Nonprofits fear fatigue - Top Stories - MSNBC.com: "Nonprofits fear fatigue
Related Stories

By Peter Key
Philadelphia Business Journal
Updated: 8:00 p.m. ET Oct. 16, 2005

The AIDS Fund will give out bottles of water to participants in its annual AIDS Walk Philly on Sunday. But the bottles won't be donated, as they have been in years past. Instead, the Philadelphia-based nonprofit will have to pay for them.

The reason? The water that would have been donated to the AIDS Fund was shipped south to victims of Hurricane Katrina."

Friday, October 14, 2005

Power shifts to donors' hands in aid flow - World - theage.com.au

Power shifts to donors' hands in aid flow - World - theage.com.au: "Power shifts to donors' hands in aid flow
By Andrea Elliott
New York
October 15, 2005

A PAIR of trucks rumble along the broken roads of Kashmir, carrying yet another load of food, clothes and makeshift tents into the earthquake zone.

But unlike so many of the anonymous offerings paid for by people thousands of kilometres away, the source of this aid, a mosque, was boldly advertised on banners: 'Masjid Al-Noor, Staten Island, New York.'

'We had great difficulty spelling Staten Island on the phone,' said Suhail Muzaffar, 53, a former professor and Pakistani immigrant who is chairman of the mosque's board of trustees.

Mr Muzaffar's point was not of pride, but of control. He wrote a shopping list based on mobile phone calls from victims trapped in the mountains to relatives who worshipped at his mosque. He rented the trucks and ordered the banners himself, through family connections. And he enlisted a Pakistani charity he knew to carry the order through.

Only this way, he said, could he and other members of his mosque feel sure that their $US12,000 (nearly $A16,000) in donations would reach the people they were trying to help."

ReliefWeb » Document Preview » Details on quake aid

ReliefWeb » Document Preview » Details on quake aid: "Details on quake aid

Oct 14 (Reuters) - Thunderstorms followed by cold weather promised more misery for survivors of the Kashmir earthquake at the weekend as the focus of international aid efforts turned on Friday from rescue to relief.

Pledges of around $350 million had been received from abroad so far and appeals had raised close to $17 million domestically.

Here are some key details:"

Team Singapore to leave for quake-hit Pakistan on Tuesday

Team Singapore to leave for quake-hit Pakistan on Tuesday: "Team Singapore to leave for quake-hit Pakistan on Tuesday
Four humanitarian groups - Mercy Relief, Red Cross, the Singapore International Foundation and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre - have come together to provide aid on the ground to Pakistan's quake victims.

The non-government organisations will operate under a single Team Singapore banner."

How 'Superman' diverts the rivers of gold - Business - Business - theage.com.au

How 'Superman' diverts the rivers of gold - Business - Business - theage.com.au: "How 'Superman' diverts the rivers of gold
October 15, 2005

Li Ka-Shing — if it's good for business (that is, it's good for me), then it's good for Hong Kong.
Photo: Reuters

His infrastructure ownership is global and in Australia is massive, but Li Ka-Shing seldom speaks on the public record, writes Hamish McDonald.

THE charity of the richest man in China, Li Ka-shing, this week extended to the wretched earthquake victims in Pakistan. They got $US500,000 ($A666,000) of his estimated $US12.4 billion in personal wealth."

The Harvard Crimson :: Opinion ::

The Harvard Crimson :: Opinion ::: "To make the claim, Harvard needs to put its (charitable) money where its mouth is
Published On Thursday, October 13, 2005 10:51 PM
By DANIEL J. HEMEL
Saturday marks the end of the period in which Harvard will match up to $100 donations that students, staff, and faculty make to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The end of the matching-funds drive comes exactly one week after a 7.6-magnitude earthquake rocked Kashmir, killing an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 people. But although the earthquake has created a humanitarian crisis that dwarfs even the devastation that Katrina wrought along the Gulf Coast, Harvard has chosen to value lives in Louisiana and Mississippi above those in Pakistan and India.

This is not the University’s first attempt to play the role of freelance philanthropist. In September 2001, Harvard pledged $1 million to fund scholarships for the children of terror victims. It matched $245,877 in donations by Harvard affiliates after last December’s massive tsunami. But if Harvard wants to get the biggest bang for its charitable buck, the University should focus its philanthropic efforts on the oft-ignored humanitarian crises that pass in and out of the headlines, where donors’ dollars are needed the most. "

Evacuees shun going home - Yahoo! News

Evacuees shun going home - Yahoo! News: "Hurricane Katrina has swept away more than New Orleans buildings: Nearly four in 10 city residents who sought help from the Red Cross say they don't plan to move back, a USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll finds. (Related: Poll results"

Red Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina/Rita - Donor Dollars at Work

Red Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina/Rita - Donor Dollars at Work: "ed Cross Response to Hurricanes Katrina/Rita - Donor Dollars at Work

Thursday, October 13, 2005

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disasters. The Red Cross expects to spend more than $2 billion on the largest disaster response in the history of the organization. The follow are updated cost projections."

American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Response - Facts at a Glance

American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Response - Facts at a Glance: "FACTS AT A GLANCE
American Red Cross Response to Hurricane Katrina & Rita

October 13, 2005 - The American Red Cross is responding to multiple natural disasters and is relying on the American people to help aid hurricane survivors by supporting the Disaster Relief Fund.
Situation Updates: This disaster relief operation is constantly changing. All numbers are approximate.
Please note the date of last update when using facts or numbers in news stories.
Red Cross Help for Survivors
Estimated Cost

The American Red Cross estimates that Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will exceed
$2 billion, meeting the urgent needs of Hurricane Katrina and Rita survivors in a number of areas — including food and shelter, emergency financial assistance and physical and mental health services.
Read Hurricanes Katrina & Rita — Donor Dollars at Work"

NPR : Red Cross Facing Increasing Challenges Worldwide

NPR : Red Cross Facing Increasing Challenges Worldwide: "Hurricane Season
Red Cross Facing Increasing Challenges Worldwide

Listen to this story...

Talk of the Nation, October 13, 2005 � Leaders of the American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross talk about their mission, and how they administer relief in the United States and worldwide."

U.S. giving low for quake; `fatigue' feared - Yahoo! News

U.S. giving low for quake; `fatigue' feared - Yahoo! News: "Americans have responded generously to help the victims of the Asian tsunami and two devastating Gulf Coast hurricanes, but relief agencies now are expressing concern that donor fatigue could be setting in when it comes to contributions for victims of the South Asian earthquake.
ADVERTISEMENT

Since the quake hit on Saturday, organizations involved in raising money and providing aid to hard-hit areas in Pakistan and India report that the pace of giving appears to be slower than it was for the tsunami or Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

UK charity quake appeal raises 5 million pounds .:. NewKerala - India's Top Online Newspaper

UK charity quake appeal raises 5 million pounds .:. NewKerala - India's Top Online Newspaper: "UK charity quake appeal raises 5 million pounds

LONDON: A British charity appeal for survivors of the Pakistan earthquake has raised 5 million pounds 8.7 million dollars in two days, organisers said today.

''It is clear the public are not experiencing donor fatigue,'' said Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee."

Xinhua - English-NZ doubles aid for Pakistan earthquake relief

Xinhua - English: "NZ doubles aid for Pakistan earthquake relief
www.chinaview.cn 2005-10-14 13:31:23

WELLINGTON, Oct. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- New Zealand is doubling its aid contribution for Pakistan earthquake relief, Aid Minister Marian Hobbs said Friday.

A further 750,000 NZ dollars (560,000 US dollars) to international relief efforts will take the total contribution to 1.5 million NZ dollars (1.1 million US dollars)."

Thursday, October 13, 2005

Aftershocks Trigger Panic as Quake Survivors Await Aid - Los Angeles Times

Aftershocks Trigger Panic as Quake Survivors Await Aid - Los Angeles Times: "Aftershocks Trigger Panic as Quake Survivors Await Aid
By Carol J. Williams and Paul Watson, Times Staff Writers

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Rattled by a powerful aftershock five days after an earthquake devastated northern villages, Pakistanis fled damaged homes and hospitals in the middle of the night and flooded from multistory buildings in the capital midday today when rumors swept of another big temblor in the offing.

As panic briefly paralyzed work and commerce in Islamabad's government district and thwarted rescue of at least one woman trapped in stricken Muzaffarabad, the United Nations' top humanitarian official toured the quake zone and warned the clock was running out for getting to trapped survivors."

CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Aid groups join forces for quake relief

CANOE -- CNEWS - Canada: Aid groups join forces for quake relief: "Aid groups join forces for quake relief
Time running out for quake survivors
Doctors overwhelmed by quake victims




TORONTO (CP) - Four leading Canadian aid groups are joining forces for the first time to raise money for South Asian earthquake relief.

The four agencies - CARE Canada, Save the Children Canada, Oxfam Canada and Oxfam-Quebec - say the idea is to eliminate money-wasting duplication."

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news-Greg's list of USA registered nonprofits in Pakistan

Everest - Mount Everest by climbers, news: "Greg's list of USA registered nonprofits in Pakistan
10:21 am EDT Oct 13, 2005
Few westerners know rural Pakistan more intimately than Greg Mortenson. Since his 1993 climb on K2, Greg has established the Central Asia Institute and done over 30 trips to set up schools in remote mountain villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Two days back, we asked Greg to recommend nonprofits who he has seen working in the area. Here's from Greg:

What you don’t see and seldom hear about

'We're receiving hundreds of calls and email from people wanting to help in Pakistan. People all over the world really do care, even though they have been rocked by all the catastrophic events of the last year.' "

A third of Guatemalans affected by Tropical Storm Stan: minister - Yahoo! News

A third of Guatemalans affected by Tropical Storm Stan: minister - Yahoo! News: "third of Guatemala's population has been affected by the heavy rains and mudslides unleashed by Tropical Storm Stan, the country's defense minister said."

DMNews.com | News | Article-Merkle Handles 700,000 Katrina Donations for Red Cross

DMNews.com | News | Article: "Merkle Handles 700,000 Katrina Donations for Red Cross
Oct. 13, 2005

By: Mickey Alam Khan
Executive Editor
mickey@dmnews.com

Database marketing agency Merkle Inc. processed more than 700,000 mailed-in contributions through Oct. 7 that were sent to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

The Lanham, MD, agency's Merkle Response Services arm has assigned more than 35 full-time employees to the project. Merkle not only manages the distribution of mail received for Katrina relief work, but also helps with processing and depositing of funds from donors nationwide."

MediaPost Publications - Nonprofits Rev Up Online Ads After Katrina - 10/13/2005

MediaPost Publications - Nonprofits Rev Up Online Ads After Katrina - 10/13/2005: "Nonprofits Rev Up Online Ads After Katrina
by Wendy Davis, Thursday, Oct 13, 2005 6:00 AM EST
HURRICANE KATRINA SPURRED A SURGE in online ads by charities last month, according to new data from Nielsen//NetRatings AdRelevance. Impressions by public service organizations such as The Red Cross accounted for 14 percent of all ads, up from 6 percent in September of 2004. Within that category, International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies accounted for 10 percent of all impressions--up from less than 1 percent last September."

The Globe and Mail: Aid donations 'picking up' after slow start

The Globe and Mail: Aid donations 'picking up' after slow start: "As the Canadian government prepares to match individual offers of aid to earthquake victims in Pakistan, charity groups say donations are picking up, but lag behind the response seen after the 2004 Asian tsunamis.

On Tuesday, a day after Canada announced it would increase its aid contribution to the devastated region to $20-million, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Canada would match, dollar-for-dollar, all individual donations raised by Oct. 25.

While satisfied with the news, some non-governmental organizations report that their own fundraising efforts have been slower compared with the overwhelming response seen in 2004 after the deadly tsunamis killed thousands in South Asia"

Reuters AlertNet - FIND A CHARITY: Relief groups respond to South Asia quake

Reuters AlertNet - FIND A CHARITY: Relief groups respond to South Asia quake: "FIND A CHARITY: Relief groups respond to South Asia quake
11 Oct 2005
Source: AlertNet
LONDON (AlertNet) - Aid agencies in the AlertNet network as well as U.N. agencies and other relief organisations are on the scene in the Indian subcontinent, where a 7.6-magnitude earthquake rocked cities and villages in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on October 8.

Action Against Hunger's initial response focuses on the provision of food aid, potable water. The organisation will be flying in additional food and non-food items and water provision supplies.
Click here to donate to this organisation"

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Tooth Donation Nets $500 for Katrina Aid - Yahoo! News

Tooth Donation Nets $500 for Katrina Aid - Yahoo! News: "Tooth Donation Nets $500 for Katrina Aid

Wed Oct 12,10:50 AM ET

BRANDON, S.D. - An 8-year-old girl with a big heart and loose tooth found a creative way to help people displaced by the hurricanes.
ADVERTISEMENT
click here

Briton Nordmeyer sent her tooth to the Red Cross chapter in Sioux Falls, hoping the tooth fairy would leave money there instead of under her pillow.

The tooth poked a hole through the envelope and fell out, but her letter made it. And after word spread of her generosity, a $500 check came in from an anonymous donor, said Jeff Stingley, director of the Sioux Empire Red Cross chapter."

Clinton, Blanco Visit Red Cross Shelter

Clinton, Blanco Visit Red Cross Shelter: "Clinton, Blanco Visit Red Cross Shelter

Former President Bill Clinton and Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco Meet with Hurricane Survivors in Baton Rouge

Written by Shannon Rolf , Special to Redcross.org

Tuesday, October 11, 2005 — BATON ROUGE, La. – Former President Bill Clinton and Louisiana State Governor Kathleen Blanco paid a special visit to the American Red Cross shelter at River Center in downtown Baton Rouge on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005, to meet with more than 20 of the hurricane survivors who had been staying at the shelter since early September."

Reuters AlertNet - Donors overstretched, need more coordination - UN

Reuters AlertNet - Donors overstretched, need more coordination - UN: "Donors overstretched, need more coordination - UN
12 Oct 2005 14:44:31 GMT
Source: Reuters
Background

By Simon Gardner

COLOMBO, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Quake victims in South Asia are going without aid because the global emergency relief system is overstretched, needs better coordination and has less than half of the funds required, a top U.N. official said on Wednesday.

U.N. Emergency Relief Coordinator Jan Egeland called on the world's nations to better prepare for disasters, and appealed to Pakistan and India not to let differences over Kashm"

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Fear of compassion fatigue as agencies plead for cash

Guardian Unlimited | The Guardian | Fear of compassion fatigue as agencies plead for cash: "Fear of compassion fatigue as agencies plead for cash

Mark Honigsbaum
Wednesday October 12, 2005
The Guardian

As British rescuers continued searching in the rubble yesterday for survivors, a plane carrying 19,000 blankets for Islamic Relief, as well as tents and plastic sheeting, was on its way from the East Midlands to Islamabad, in the latest airlift coordinated by the Department for International Development.

The DfID has already sent 75 specialist search and rescue teams to Pakistan to help recover people trapped in the ruins of collapsed buildings and plans further airlifts of blankets, tents and tarpaulins over the next fortnight."

CourierPostOnline - South Jersey's Web Site-Hurricane inspires generosity

CourierPostOnline - South Jersey's Web Site: "Hurricane inspires generosity
Powered by Topix.net
Wednesday, October 12, 2005

By EILEEN STILWELL
Courier-Post Staff

CHERRY HILL
The generosity of South Jersey's business community toward victims of Hurricane Katrina was impressive, from tractor-trailer loads of Campbell Soup products to cash from a Gloucester County diner owner who donated one day's lunchtime receipts.


But a Cherry Hill marketing firm found that individual employees dug deeper into their pockets than employers.


Based on an online survey sent to 1,000 small businesses and nonprofits in the region, Lubetkin & Co. Communications found that 45 percent of the respondents said their organizations were collecting funds from employees for the relief effort, but only 38 percent said those employers were contributing company funds.

"

NPA's Blog: News, Posts, Advice: Disaster Fundraising - Keywords and conversion

NPA's Blog: News, Posts, Advice: Disaster Fundraising - Keywords and conversion: "Disaster Fundraising - Keywords and conversion

Yahoo Buzz is reporting that the search term 'Asia earthquake' is already on the decline only 4 days after an earthquake killed an estimated 30,000 people. The term was search 96% less today than yesterday. For all those nonprofits who are hoping to generate funds for this latest disaster via keyword advertising, you better be sure you were up and running on day one. The traffic is already lessening."

Malaysian National News Agency :: BERNAMA-Red Cross Website To Link Families With Quake Victims

Malaysian National News Agency :: BERNAMA: "Red Cross Website To Link Families With Quake Victims

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has launched a South Asia Earthquake website to help people exchange information about family members in the disaster zone.

Those in Pakistan and India who are affected by last Saturday's quake can register at www.familylinks.icrc.org/epi to inform their families that they are safe and well, the ICRC Kuala Lumpur Regional Delegation said in a statement Wednesday.

The humanitarian service provided by the site is open to everyone, and people seeking news about relatives in the disaster zone area can consult the list of those who have registered and search for names, it said."

News | canada.com network-Canada to match public donations

News | canada.com network: "Canada to match public donations: PM

Greg Bonnell
Canadian Press

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

CREDIT: Canadian Press
Prime Minister Paul Martin
ADVERTISEMENT

TORONTO -- The federal government will match all public donations made during the next two weeks to the South Asian earthquake relief effort, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced Tuesday."

Record 7.3 million meals provided to Gulf hurricane victims - (BP)

Record 7.3 million meals provided to Gulf hurricane victims - (BP): "Record 7.3 million meals provided to Gulf hurricane victims
Oct 11, 2005
By Mickey Noah
Baptist Press

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--An all-time record has been reached -- more than 7.3 million meals prepared to date for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita under the Southern Baptists’ mammoth disaster relief effort across the Gulf Coast.

Previously, the most meals prepared in a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief response was 2.5 million during Hurricane Andrew in 1992."

True charity without strings :: The Daily Herald, Provo Utah

True charity without strings :: The Daily Herald, Provo Utah: "True charity without strings

The Daily Herald

Is it charity if you get reimbursed for your good works?

Logic says no, and so does the LDS Church and other private groups. Mormons will not be accepting money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the aid church members rendered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
FEMA announced it would pay back religious groups that responded to the crisis on the Gulf Coast.

Many church-based groups were quick to respond to the disaster, in many cases moving faster and more efficiently than the federal government. FEMA reimbursement may seem a small way to say thanks, as well as for the government to take responsibility. But it's a bad idea.

Charity ought to mean giving without expecting something in return. After World War II, the LDS Church sent tons of food, clothing and other necessities to the people of war-ravaged Europe, expecting nothing in return, a stance that stunned President Harry S. Truman."

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

HoustonChronicle.com - Water, power back in most of Southeast Texas

HoustonChronicle.com - Water, power back in most of Southeast Texas: "URRICANE RITA: THE AFTERMATH
Drinkable water, power back in most of Southeast Texas
Port Arthur asks FEMA for help and might let residents live in RVs, trailers while they rebuild
By TERRI LANGFORD
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Southeast Texas is coming back to life following Hurricane Rita as utilities are restored to much of the area more than two weeks after the Category 3 storm knocked out power, water and sewage systems.
ADVERTISEMENT

'We just got the good news that the water is drinkable,' said Ken Kreger, the city of Orange deputy fire chief and emergency management coordinator. 'It's getting much easier"

CBC Montreal - Quebecers coming to Pakistan's aid

CBC Montreal - Quebecers coming to Pakistan's aid: "Quebecers coming to Pakistan's aid
Last updated Oct 11 2005 08:27 AM EDT
CBC News

Pakistani officials in Quebec are mobilizing the community to help in the relief efforts following this weekend's devastating earthquake.

The earthquake killed at least 20,000 people, with some estimates putting that number as high as 30,000.

Pakistan's consul-general in Montreal, Saifulah Chattha says his office has been helping to organize meetings to keep community members informed.

Chattha says a larger meeting of community leaders is set for Tuesday to help organize fundraising efforts."

The Seattle Times: Nation & World: Latest disaster tests stamina of donors

The Seattle Times: Nation & World: Latest disaster tests stamina of donors: "Latest disaster tests stamina of donors

By Hal Bernton and Lornet Turnbull

Seattle Times staff reporters

K.M. CHAUDHRY / AP

With outstretched hands, Pakistanis jostle for food distributed by local government workers yesterday in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir.


After news broke last holiday season of the Asian tsunami, World Vision's Web site was so overwhelmed with donors that it crashed en route to helping raise $350 million worldwide, a record for the agency.

Yesterday, as news accounts detailed the suffering from a new Asian disaster wrought by a powerful earthquake along the Pakistan-India border, World Vision fundraising traffic on the Internet and phones was comparatively light."

Earthquake Adds to Relief Challenges

Earthquake Adds to Relief Challenges: "t seems like it's disaster after disaster. The tsunami, then Hurricane Katrina, and now the earthquake. Literally millions of people desperately need help. Where will it come from? With so many people already donating to families here at home, some say they just don't have enough money to go around.

The tsunami that left more than 200,000 dead in 11 different countries. It left a million homeless in Sri Lanka alone. Hurricane Katrina claimed more than 1,200 lives and left 350,000 homeless. There's no total on how many lives were lost in the earthquake in Pakistan, but could be as many as 40,000. This disaster left more than 2.5 million with no place to call home."

Tracking Katrina Money Proving Difficult - Yahoo! News

Tracking Katrina Money Proving Difficult - Yahoo! News: "Tracking Katrina Money Proving Difficult

By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer Tue Oct 11, 8:09 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Trying to track who's getting what portion of the billions of dollars in federal Hurricane Katrina aid is enough to give any auditor a headache — and is a problem that critics say creates alarming gaps in public oversight.
ADVERTISEMENT

The database of contracts is incomplete. Information released by federal agencies is spotty and sporadic. And disclosure of many no-bid contracts isn't required by law."

Billionaire Li Ka-shing Gives To Earthquake Relief - Forbes.com

Billionaire Li Ka-shing Gives To Earthquake Relief - Forbes.com: "Billionaire Li Ka-shing Gives To Earthquake Relief
Chris Noon, 10.10.05, 8:43 AM ET

LONDON - Hong Kong billioniare Li Ka-shing, commonly regarded as Asia's richest man, is also a noted philanthropist; donations he made in 1981 resulted in the founding of Shantou University, near his hometown of Chaozhou. And after the devastating tsunami caused by last December's Indian Ocean earthquake, he reportedly pledged $3 million. Now he's donated $500,000 to help relief efforts in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, Islamabad and Indian-run Kashmir where a huge quake killed thousands over the weekend. "

Lowell Sun Online - Home

Lowell Sun Online - Home: "Nonprofits hope charitable giving begins at, and returns, home
By PETER WARD, Sun Staff

LOWELL -- So far, it appears Hurricane Katrina is on a course to generate more charitable giving than the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

So now, officials who run local nonprofit agencies are worrying that when the flood of generosity after the hurricane recedes, so too will charitable giving in general -- a phenomenon also experienced after the terror attacks.

But it may be too soon to know.

People such as Melissa Temme, spokes-woman for the national Salvation Army, hope the hurricane reminds people they have neighbors with dire needs closer to home."

Katrina data management snafus compound chaos

Katrina data management snafus compound chaos: "In the weeks that followed Hurricane Katrina, IT professionals and volunteers scrambled to assemble technology to reunite evacuees with their loved ones. But while technology eventually prevailed, many reunions were delayed as IT and bureaucracy clashed in the face of the unprecedented disaster.

On arrival at Houston's Astrodome shortly after the hurricane, approximately 25,000 evacuees filled out a form with their personal information and gave it to the American Red Cross. Volunteers then entered the data into a pilot database program called the Coordinated Assistance Network (CAN), run by a group of nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)."

Scotsman.com News - International - Scots rally to help quake victims

Scotsman.com News - International - Scots rally to help quake victims: "SCOTLAND-WIDE appeal was launched today to raise relief funds following the devastating earthquake in South Asia.

Edinburgh-based charity Mercy Corps Scotland has set up an emergency hotline to make donations amid fears that 40,000 people may now have perished."

ReliefWeb » Document Preview » Find a charity: Relief groups respond to South Asia quake

ReliefWeb » Document Preview » Find a charity: Relief groups respond to South Asia quake: "Find a charity: Relief groups respond to South Asia quake

LONDON (AlertNet) – Aid agencies in the AlertNet network as well as U.N. agencies are other relief organisations are on the scene in the Indian subcontinent, where a 7.6-magnitude earthquake rocked cities and villages in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on October 8.

ActionAid is assessing needs and says its priorities will be ensuring children have warm clothing and blankets, addressing emotional needs and dealing with spinal and hip fractures which can lead to paraplegia if not treated promptly. Click here for more information"

Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/11/2005 | Editorial | Once again, reach out to those in need

Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/11/2005 | Editorial | Once again, reach out to those in need: "Editorial | Once again, reach out to those in need

Last weekend brought another massive natural disaster that washed away cities, villages, families and hope.

Most of the damage from Saturday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake, which sent shivers through South Asia, occurred in Pakistan-

administered Kashmir. Estimates yesterday placed the number of dead at 30,000 and homeless at 2.5 million. The dead include hundreds of children whose schools collapsed around them."

Sri Lanka pledges $100,000 for Pakistan quake victims .:. NewKerala - India's Top Online Newspaper

Sri Lanka pledges $100,000 for Pakistan quake victims .:. NewKerala - India's Top Online Newspaper: "Sri Lanka pledges $100,000 for Pakistan quake victims

Colombo: Sri Lanka has offered $100,000 to assist relief efforts in Pakistan in the aftermath of Saturday's earthquake which also hit India, an official spokesman said Tuesday.

President Chandrika Kumaratunga and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse have sent condolence messages to Pakistani and Indian leaders."

Pakistan's reconstruction efforts may lift economy

Pakistan's reconstruction efforts may lift economy: "Pakistan's reconstruction efforts may lift economy
KARACHI, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Pakistan's efforts to recover from the worst natural disaster in its 69-year history is expected to eventually boost its slowing economy and support its currency and stocks.

More than 20,000 people have perished in the country's northern mountainous region, which bore the brunt of Saturday's 7.6-magnitude earthquake, and officials say that death toll could double.

But analysts said given the northern areas' small contribution to the country's $100 billion economy, any losses would be more than compensated by the reconstruction efforts and aid inflow."

Red Cross criticized on Katrina relief effort - The Boston Globe

Red Cross criticized on Katrina relief effort - The Boston Globe: "Red Cross criticized on Katrina relief effort
Some evacuees cite chaos, slow aid

By Josh Getlin and Nicole Gaouette, Los Angeles Times | October 9, 2005

BELLE CHASSE, La. -- Amid the destruction and dislocation caused by Hurricane Katrina, the American Red Cross has undertaken a relief effort unlike any in its history. So far, the charity has spent $811 million on emergency cash aid and $110 million on food and shelter."

To the rescue with $$$ | IndyStar.com

To the rescue with $$$ | IndyStar.com: "To the rescue with $$$


The Indiana University Center on Philanthropy's Eugene R. Tempel reports that private donations reached a billion dollars in just three weeks to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. When Rita arrived, the contributions kept flowing. We were equally generous after Sept. 11, 2001, and the Asian tsunami last winter. But does this generosity mean local needs go unmet because donations went to victims of terrorism and natural disasters instead?"

BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Charity inundated with aid offers

BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Charity inundated with aid offers: "Charity inundated with aid offers
Islamic Relief office in Birmingham
The charity is appealing for more money donations
Tens of thousands of pounds has been raised to help victims of the quake in South Asia, according to a Birmingham-based charity.

Extra staff have been drafted in to Islamic Relief's call centre to handle the increasing amount of calls."

Friday, October 07, 2005

The New Orleans Coalition for Legal Aid and Disaster Relief

The New Orleans Coalition for Legal Aid and Disaster Relief: "he Coalition seeks to bring together resources from all parts of the legal community (law school faculty, students, and practicing lawyers), as well as non-lawyers, to facilitate the fair distribution of federal, state, and private disaster relief to New Orleanians (wherever they may be) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We will also assist other groups that provide emergency legal services to those in need.

Though the Coalition developed from the efforts of Tulane Law School faculty, students, and alumni, the Coalition is independently organized as the From the Lake to the River Foundation, Inc., membership and participation are open to anyone (especially lawyers and law students) who want to help with this crucial relief effort."

Head of Catholic Charities New Orleans Calls for Much More Federal Assistance for Hurricane Recovery - Yahoo! News

PRESS RELEASE

Head of Catholic Charities New Orleans Calls for Much More Federal Assistance for Hurricane Recovery - Yahoo! News: "To: National Desk

Contact: Shelley Borysiewicz of Catholic Charities, 703-549-1390 ext. 147 or sborysiewicz@catholiccharitiesusa.org

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- 'Despite many approaches to create economic enterprise zones and increase employment through business tax credits, it is clear that the Gulf Coast region will need to receive much more federal assistance to help us rebuild individual lives, families, and communities,' testified James R. Kelly, chief executive officer of Catholic Charities of New Orleans, before a Senate panel yesterday.

'Hundreds of thousands of victims of Katrina and Rita are in need of a comprehensive array of housing, services, and assistance,' said Kelly at a hearing of the
Senate Finance Committee examining how tax policy and business incentives can help rebuild businesses and communities and help support families in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 'The responders -- Catholic Charities, FEMA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, churches, state, and local government -- we have all been overwhelmed by the sheer numbers.'"

The Chronicle: Daily news: 10/07/2005 -- 02-House Republicans Offer Bill to Aid Colleges and Students Affected by Hurricanes

The Chronicle: Daily news: 10/07/2005 -- 02: "House Republicans Offer Bill to Aid Colleges and Students Affected by Hurricanes

By STEPHEN BURD


Most students who took out loans this fall to attend colleges that have been closed temporarily by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita would not have to repay them, under a bill introduced on Thursday by Republican lawmakers on the U.S. House of Representatives education committee.

That legislation (HR 3975) would also allow borrowers in hurricane-affect"

KRISTV.COM - Corpus Christi, TX - Post Office having hard time getting mail to evacuees

KRISTV.COM - Corpus Christi, TX - Post Office having hard time getting mail to evacuees: "Post Office having hard time getting mail to evacuees
Oct 6, 2005, 09:21 PM
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Post Office having hard time getting mail to evacuees
Local News more>>
NAS CC sailor killed overseas
Robbery suspect leads police on chase
Local leaders discuss future of NAV STA Ingleside
Dining for disaster victims
Police searching for home invasion suspects
City warns of natural gas hike
CCPD helping to clean up graffiti and drug houses
Constable rescues blind man from fire
Port ships first load of poultry to Russia
Police dog dies of heat exhaustion

CORPUS CHRISTI - For the last several weeks, Corpus Christi post offices have been receiving mail for Hurricane Katrina evacuees who relocated to this area. Postal workers said it's been hard getting this mail out to evacuees.

The mail keeps on coming in for Katrina evacuees, the only problem is a lot of it isn't going out."

Public Losing Confidence on Storm Spending - Yahoo! News

Public Losing Confidence on Storm Spending - Yahoo! News: "Public Losing Confidence on Storm Spending

By WILL LESTER, Associated Press Writer Fri Oct 7, 4:23 AM ET

WASHINGTON - Americans are losing confidence that the federal government will wisely spend billions of dollars set aside for recovery from Hurricane Katrina, an AP-Ipsos poll found.
ADVERTISEMENT

Just three weeks ago, the public was evenly split on whether the money would be spent wisely, according to the poll. Now, six in 10 say they are not confident the money will be well spent.

Federal officials were left red-faced after scuttling a debit-card plan almost as soon as they announced it, few hurricane victims moved into cruise ships leased off the Gulf Coast at considerable cost and Congress pushed to reverse many no-bid government contracts."

HoustonChronicle.com - Louisiana evacuees try to decide if Houston's home

HoustonChronicle.com - Louisiana evacuees try to decide if Houston's home: "Some evacuees settling in; others unsure home is here
New Orleans residents, chased once more by Rita, weigh whether to start over in Texas
By JEANNIE KEVER
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

The Chronicle, 10/6/2005: Donations to Help Hurricane Victims Taper Off at Some Charities

The Chronicle, 10/6/2005: Donations to Help Hurricane Victims Taper Off at Some Charities: "Donations to Help Hurricane Victims Taper Off at Some Charities

By Elizabeth Schwinn

After the initial outpouring of giving to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, donations to some of the nation's largest relief charities have slowed substantially, even as the Gulf Coast recovers from its second major hurricane, Rita, which caused a wide swath of damage along the Texas and Louisiana coasts.

At the same time, however, housing charities and other groups involved in longer-term aid say donations are still coming in at a rapid clip, as donors and the news media shift their attention to recovery.

More than $1.7-billion has been raised to date, an increase of about $500-million over the previous two weeks. And even though gifts are slowing down for some charities, the overall response is record-setting: It took more than a month for nonprofit groups to raise $1-billion after September 11. More than $2.2-billion was eventually raised in response to the terrorist attacks."

The Chronicle: 10/13/2005: Sharing a World of Experience

The Chronicle: 10/13/2005: Sharing a World of Experience: "Sharing a World of Experience
Foreign-aid groups offer advice in hurricanes' aftermath

By Ian Wilhelm

When Arthur B. Keys Jr., a veteran international-aid worker, visited Katrina-ravaged parts of Mississippi, he felt a disturbing sense of deja vu.

'There's a one-mile swath along the coast where this 45-foot storm surge came in,' he says, 'and it looks just like Banda Aceh, in Indonesia,' after the tsunamis hit.

Mr. Keys, president of International Relief and Development, says the scope of the Gulf Coast devastation and its uncanny parallel to the deadly waves that struck South Asia last December, prompted his Arlington, Va.-based organization to provide assistance for the first time to a disaster in the United States."

Fund-raising may test public giving

Fund-raising may test public giving: "Fund-raising may test public giving

By BILL VIRGIN
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

As many non-commercial, community and public radio stations regularly do, Bellevue's KBCS-FM (91.3) recently held a fund-raising campaign.

Unlike many of those campaigns, KBCS's pledge drive wasn't for itself. Instead, it was soliciting donations for community station WWOZ in New Orleans, which was forced off the air in late August by Hurricane Katrina.

While it's an example of the radio industry rallying around in times of trouble, it also points up an interesting challenge for this region's non-commercial, community and public stations as they enter the fall fund-raising season.

Having been hit up for charitable contributions for victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita (and earlier this year for victims of the East Asian tsunami), are potential donors tapped out?"

The Dispatch - Serving the Lexington, North Carolina Area

The Dispatch - Serving the Lexington, North Carolina Area: "N.C. charities wonder how Katrina will affect fund-raising

The Associated Press

Although some North Carolina charities are worried that Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will tax their donation dollars, the keynote speaker at a conference of nonprofits said he believes the storm's victims are fading from the spotlight.

Paul Light, a New York University professor of public service, said Thursday that he believes donors are turning their attention elsewhere, especially now that President Bush has promised to use federal money to repair damaged communities."

Shelters forgo their own needs for others

Shelters forgo their own needs for others: "By Mary Esparra

As I wrote about in previous columns, many local animal shelters are doing what they can to help the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. Some are offering space to displaced animals and some are taking up collections. Their generosity astounds me, as their own needs are so great.
Case in point: the Humane Society of Port Jervis/Deerpark.
For the past eight years, a major fundraiser for HSPJ has been its 'Walk for the Animals.' As with other charity walks, people pledge donations to volunteers who walk at the event. Port Jervis' event invites walkers to bring their dogs.
Here's what astounds me:
'As much as our shelter needs the money,' said volunteer Marion Durwachter, 'we decided after watching the news on Katrina, it would be nice to do something for those animals. There aren't as many fundraisers solely for the animals affected by the flooding.' "

Thursday, October 06, 2005

The Chronicle: 10/13/2005: Carving Out a Role in Disaster's Wake

The Chronicle: 10/13/2005: Carving Out a Role in Disaster's Wake: "Carving Out a Role in Disaster's Wake

Some experts question necessity of charities formed after Hurricane Katrina; others say they fill a need

By Harvy Lipman

When Terry Webb saw the destruction Hurricane Katrina caused throughout the Gulf Coast, he immediately wanted to take action to help the storm's victims. Mr. Webb, who owns a glass-installation company in Philadelphia, thought he and other contractors ought to be able to do more than give money to relief charities. The question was: What more could they do?"

Newstimeslive.com Katrina donation called unlawful

Newstimeslive.com Katrina donation called unlawful: "Katrina donation called unlawful
New Milford mayor to ask Town Council to rescind vote
By Nanci G. Hutson

THE NEWS-TIMES
Patricia Murphy
NEW MILFORD — Town council members wanted to help hurricane victims when they agreed to donate $30,000 to the American Red Cross.

Now, they're going to have to find another way to help.

The council's Sept. 12 promise to donate $30,000 to the Red Cross relief effort — about $1 per resident — ignited debate about whether it could extend such charity beyond its borders."

Charitable giving methodology not always logical | The San Diego Union-Tribune

Charitable giving methodology not always logical | The San Diego Union-Tribune: "Charitable giving methodology not always logical

By Jeffrey Weiss
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

October 6, 2005

DALLAS – Susan Mandel of Dallas was in many ways typical of the millions of Americans who stepped forward to help the victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes.

Previously, her volunteer work had been limited to her kids' school and sports activities. But the televised images drew her to volunteer at Jewish Family Service in Dallas, where she met a woman who had lost everything to the storm.

'I asked her, 'How are you doing?' She answered, 'I'm not,' ' Mandel said. By the end of the day, the woman was living with Mandel's family. But Mandel has never considered seeking out a similarly needy Dallas resident."

Westport News - Editorial-"Fund-Raising In A Dangerous Time

Westport News - Editorial: "Fund-Raising In A Dangerous Time

W ith natural disasters, an economic downturn, the 'war on terror' and government cutbacks, some nonprofits may find themselves scrambling to meet increased demands and generate funds in a difficult fund-raising climate. Similar scenarios played out after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and, more recently, after the South Asian tsunami.

Hurricane Katrina was a compelling event. The Chronicle of Philanthropy [Sept. 28, 2005] reported that more than $1.4 billion has already been donated to the hurricane relief effort. The American Red Cross has said it expects to spend $2 billion on the Katrina relief effort.

While the response so far is heartwarming, the downside is that other charities, particular smaller ones, may have difficulty reaching their fund-raising goals as a result. The larger charities can probably get the word out that they are struggling but that task may be more daunting for smaller groups with less wherewithal. With this year's major fund-raising season coming up, some of the effects may not yet be visible."

MySA.com: Editorials-Editorial: Rita's rage dies out, but the lesson lingers

MySA.com: Editorials: "Editorial: Rita's rage dies out, but the lesson lingers

Web Posted: 10/06/2005 12:00 AM CDT

San Antonio Express-News

As Hurricane Rita raged toward land two weeks ago, millions of motorists hit the road, fleeing one threat only to encounter another.

Clogged with traffic, the freeways posed a different kind of danger, this one man-made. Drivers snaked along the roads, bumper to bumper, their gas and patience dwindling in the brutal heat. About 30 people died in Houston alone, most while trying to flee, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Texas officials were almost universally praised for their reaction to the hurricane, both before and after. But that reaction presented a cruel irony. While government officials were almost casual in their response to Katrina three weeks earlier, their Texas counterparts acted more forcefully, issuing a call to evacuate the area in the path of the hurricane."

HoustonChronicle.com - Red Cross tries drive-through aid

HoustonChronicle.com - Red Cross tries drive-through aid: "Red Cross tries drive-through aid
Project allows Katrina victims to stay in their cars while seeking help
By CHRIS HAMILTON
Knight Ridder Tribune News

Wednesday, October 05, 2005

Arrests Made in Alleged Katrina Scheme - Los Angeles Times

Arrests Made in Alleged Katrina Scheme - Los Angeles Times: "rrests Made in Alleged Katrina Scheme
# FBI says four workers at a Red Cross call center in the Bakersfield area funneled relief checks to relatives and friends. The probe is expanding.

By Eric Malnic, Times Staff Writer

Nine people in the Bakersfield area have been charged with wire fraud in a scheme that siphoned off Red Cross funds intended for victims of Hurricane Katrina, the FBI said Tuesday.

Four were contract workers at a Red Cross national call center in Bakersfield, said Lawrence Brown, first assistant U.S. attorney in Sacramento. The other five were friends and relatives who picked up relief checks they weren't entitled to, he said."

BayouBuzz.com - Louisiana Politics and News

BayouBuzz.com - Louisiana Politics and News: "Here is a release from the Office of Governor Blanco regarding the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Board:

Baton Rouge, LA--Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco on Tuesday announced a first round of board selections for the newly formed Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF) and the selection of Xavier University of Louisiana President, Norman Francis, as chairman of the new board, with loaned executive, Dr. Emmett Carson, Chairman of the national Council on Foundations, to serve as interim CEO. The non-profit foundation was established to accept donations that will be used to meet the needs of the thousands of Louisiana citizens whose lives have been devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita"

Will charities feel pinch?

Will charities feel pinch?: "Will charities feel pinch?
Gulf Coast aid may have varied impact

By Peter Smith
psmith@courier-journal.com
The Courier-Journal

Some Louisville-area nonprofit organizations say they believe their regular fund-raising efforts have been slowed by the recent outpouring of giving to hurricane and flood victims on the Gulf Coast.

Other fund-raisers say, however, that it's too soon to tell what the trend will be, and that they are optimistic that people will continue to support the area's groups. Some smaller charities may feel a short-term financial pinch but believe their work on the disasters could help in the long run."

The Chronicle: Daily news: 10/05/2005 -- -"A Texas University Hit by Rita Plans to Reopen in 2 Weeks; a Louisiana Campus Hopes It Can, Too

The Chronicle: Daily news: 10/05/2005 -- 02: "A Texas University Hit by Rita Plans to Reopen in 2 Weeks; a Louisiana Campus Hopes It Can, Too

By KATHERINE S. MANGAN

Lamar University officials announced on Tuesday that they hoped to reopen their hurricane-ravaged main campus in Beaumont, Tex., on October 17, along with three branch campuses that were damaged less severely. Classes are scheduled to resume on October 19.

At McNeese State University, a Louisiana institution damaged by Hurricane Rita, officials are also hoping to reopen by the third week of October, but have not set a date. The campus, in Lake Charles, La., was still without power on Tuesday."

Tuesday, October 04, 2005

PND News - Fraudulent Charities Focus of Crackdown

PND News - Fraudulent Charities Focus of Crackdown: "Fraudulent Charities Focus of Crackdown

In the wake of an unprecedented number of bogus appeals to help victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, law enforcement officials have launched aggressive efforts to find and prosecute the perpetrators, the Washington Post reports.

State and federal officials have filed charges in at least four cases involving allegedly fraudulent appeals, and the federal government is examining thousands of suspicious fundraising Web sites and bogus fundraising efforts. 'We're going to act quickly and aggressively to detect any kind of fraud and vigorously pursue it if we find it,' said Alice Fisher, chairwoman of the Justice Department's Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force. The task force, which includes representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Department of Homeland Security, is working with state law enforcement and charity officials to identify fraudulent activity."

ABC News: Small Businesses Offer Big Help to Katrina Relief Efforts

ABC News: Small Businesses Offer Big Help to Katrina Relief Efforts: "Below are examples of how small firms are pitching in for Katrina's victims.
snip snip>

Cell Phone Power

'There are a lot of people who got out with the clothes on their back, their wallets and their cell phones,' said Compact Power Systems' director of marketing, Rodney Rad. 'Our lives these days revolve around the cell phone.'"

The Galveston County Daily News-Doing what couldn't be done

The Galveston County Daily News: "Doing what couldn't be done
By Ivan Arceneaux
Correspondent

Published October 3, 2005
They said evacuate. I said it couldn’t be done.

At every hurricane preparedness meeting I ever attended, the county judge and the mayor said, “Evacuate.”

I said it couldn’t be done. Galveston County residents can’t evacuate because 2 million people just 30 some miles up Interstate 45 will block the way.

Then the Texas Department of Public Safety came up with a three-pronged route plus a time-sensitive evacuation plan that looked plausible.

I said it could possibly be done. But, I wouldn’t evacuate because a guesstimated 1,500 or more elderly and special needs people would not be able to evacuate."
: "Tax breaks for Katrina donors

By MARY DEIBEL
Scripps Howard News Service
October 04, 2005

WASHINGTON - Don't have deep pockets to help with hurricane relief? Donate time, vacation days or frequent-flier miles instead.

Under temporary rules, the Internal Revenue Service will let taxpayers donate unused vacation, leave or sick days for workers whose employers agree to send cash payments to charities that are offering help to Hurricane Katrina victims through 2006.

IRS Commissioner Mark Everson says the program stands to save money for employers and employees, especially the two-thirds of taxpayers who don't itemize and don't get to take the charity deduction."

Herald.com | 10/04/2005 | Blacks rise to help their community

Herald.com | 10/04/2005 | Blacks rise to help their community: "Blacks rise to help their community

The black community is rallying around a cause -- to help black victims of Hurricane Katrina.

BY NATALIE P. McNEAL

nmcneal@herald.com

From humble offerings of crumpled singles in church collection plates to the fittingly named SOS: Saving OurSelves telethon by BET, blacks are responding with money and in-kind contributions for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

A crop of black charitable organizations are benefiting from the unprecedented outpouring after the storm's devastating toll among African Americans."

To Run from Rita :: PNNOnline ::

To Run from Rita :: PNNOnline ::: "To Run from Rita
Posted by: shadowlands on Tuesday, October 4, 2005
Topic Special Features


A few weeks ago, PNNOnline ran a fascinating first-person account by Darren W, Brown about his volunteer experiences with New Orleans residents who escaped the horrors of Hurricane Katrina by evacuating to Houston. In his continued account, Warren says, 'the past few days I have been pondering on many thoughts dealing with the emotions that were heartfelt inside of myself from the stories that were shared directly with me. But suddenly, a great since of urgency set in and dwarfed my Hurricane Katrina related notions.'


A few days after I submitted my original story, a strong tropical depression formed off the coast of Florida. Her name was 'Tropical Storm Rita'. Rita instantly became a star for she was of great concern to anyone who resides on or near the Gulf of Mexico. News coverage of Tropical Storm Rita was as immense as the fear that stretched along her pathway. During the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 21, 2005, Rita blossomed, and emerged into a full-fledged Hurricane, as she punished residents of both the Florida Keys and Cuba. As the hours progressed this past Wednesday, Hurricane Rita rapidly grew in intensity. She steadily gained strength and within hours, she was listed as a Category 5 Hurricane on a steady course that lead to Houston, Texas.

"

Miss. Lawmakers OK Casino Move to Dry Land - Yahoo! News

Miss. Lawmakers OK Casino Move to Dry Land - Yahoo! News: "Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour says he'll sign a bill this week to let hurricane-battered coastal casinos move a short distance onto dry land.

The state Senate passed the bill 29-21 on Monday. The House approved the measure last week.

The final vote came a month after Hurricane Katrina smashed many of Mississippi's floating casinos. Barbour pushed for the legislation in a special session dealing with hurricane recovery, saying the storm showed that the casinos would be safer on shore."

New Orleans Universities Plan to Rebuild - Yahoo! News

New Orleans Universities Plan to Rebuild - Yahoo! News: "W ORLEANS - In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, professors and students from the city's universities took academic refuge in other schools — some as far away as the University of Haifa in
Israel.
ADVERTISEMENT

Now, more than a month after the storm, New Orleans' universities — including Tulane, Loyola and Xavier — are putting together ambitious plans to reopen in January."

USATODAY.com - Companies assess Katrina response

USATODAY.com - Companies assess Katrina response: "Companies assess Katrina response
By Del Jones, USA TODAY
Corporations have surfaced from the Katrina disaster looking noble in the eyes of the public and with a swagger that says the next time a city is devastated, the private sector will be there to save lives."

W2COG Katrina Relief Efforts Show Results; Grid Consortium Project Delivers Communication Capabilities to Support Relief Efforts in Hard Hit Community

PRESS RELEASE
W2COG Katrina Relief Efforts Show Results; Grid Consortium Project Delivers Communication Capabilities to Support Relief Efforts in Hard Hit Community: "W2COG Katrina Relief Efforts Show Results; Grid Consortium Project Delivers Communication Capabilities to Support Relief Efforts in Hard Hit Community

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 2005--The World Wide Consortium for the Grid (W2COG), an international, collaborative association devoted to developing and delivering practical tools that advance and support netcentric operations (NCO) for global security and commerce, today released details regarding its humanitarian relief project, one of a number of ongoing projects it has undertaken. "

DesMoinesRegister.com

DesMoinesRegister.com: "wins double up for donations
The south-side boys, along with their dad, plan to camp on a roof to raise money.

By LINDA YANG
REGISTER CORRESPONDENT

October 4, 2005


The roof of a grocery store is not your average campout location. Then again, Grant and Austin Smith are not your average kids.

At 7 years old, the twins are philanthropic powerhouses, and, once again, they're on a mission. This time the goal is to raise $7,500 for Hurricane Katrina victims and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation."

Monday, October 03, 2005

Beltway Blogroll: After Katrina: A Fundraising Blog Swarm

Beltway Blogroll: After Katrina: A Fundraising Blog Swarm: "BELTWAY BLOGROLL
After Katrina: A Fundraising Blog Swarm

The fundraising blog swarm triggered by one of America's most severe weather storms officially ended yesterday with a tally of nearly $1.2 million, but the contribution total continued to climb today. As of late this afternoon, it stood at $1,220,310.

Conservative bloggers organized the effort. Another online relief fundraiser to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina is still under way at liberal blogs.

Conservatives seized on the idea for a coordinated fundraiser first and excelled in both organization and the amount of money they raised. The fundraiser initially was to be a one-day event, but it was expanded to cover the entire Labor Day weekend. The more than 1,800 bloggers from 35 countries who participated used their online journals to make recurring appeals for donations to various charitable groups."

Hulshof puts DeLay funds into charity

Hulshof puts DeLay funds into charity: "While ARMPAC is not the focus of the indictment, it was aligned with DeLay. Democrats last week demanded that Hulshof return the money.

Hulshof said in an interview yesterday that his campaign has written a check to the George Bush-Bill Clinton hurricane relief effort in an amount equivalent to the money he received from ARMPAC. Hulshof said he thought the amount was $14,500, although The Associated Press in July reported that the figure was $14,964, based on figures from groups that track political money."

EDITORIAL

snip snip

EDITORIAL: "According to the Denver Business Journal, nearly half of the charities surveyed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals experienced a drop in contributions immediately after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. Last winter's tsunami in southeast Asia had a similar effect on nonprofit organizations, and 16 percent of the charities surveyed by a Colorado consulting firm said they would have to cut their budgets as a result."

The Baptist Standard :: The Newsmagazine of Texas Baptists

The Baptist Standard :: The Newsmagazine of Texas Baptists: " Posted: 9/30/05
Urgent--not chronic--needs tend
to prompt much charitable giving

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald

Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS)--As Americans set new records for charitable giving in response to Hurricane Katrina--and donations for Hurricane Rita begin to arrive--some fundraisers are seeing a principle confirmed: When the sufferers are perceived as innocent victims, donors respond generously.

On the other hand, giving patterns suggest donors are losing patience with chronic problems such as poverty, in which suffering arguably is made worse by questionable choices. Private donations are shrinking for homeless shelters, AIDS-related services and programs for troubled youth, to cite just a few examples."

The Southern Illinoisan

The Southern Illinoisan: "Red Cross advertisements spark questions

If you read Friday's edition of the Southern Illinoisan, you probably saw several full-page ads promoting the Red Cross and soliciting monetary donations to help with relief efforts for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. These ads were actually an act of charity that caused a few headaches for the local chapter.

Several readers called Sandy Webster, director of the local Red Cross, to get an explanation as to why the Red Cross was spending money on advertising to solicit donations. One woman explained very adamantly and clearly that she wanted her monetary donation to go toward the relief efforts and not toward advertising."

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Faith under siege - Commentary - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

Faith under siege - Commentary - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper: "Extremists at the grandiosely named Americans United for Separation of Church and State are at it again. The group, best known for trying to drive religion from the public square, now wants to make sure no faith-based organizations are reimbursed for rescuing and caring for thousands of victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced plans to allow some faith-based groups to recoup some of what they've spent feeding, clothing, housing and counseling more than 500,000 people stranded in the worst national disaster this country ever faced. "

Editorial: FEMA storm aid justified

Editorial: FEMA storm aid justified: "Editorial: FEMA storm aid justified
October 1, 2005 ED1001

If religious groups get federal funds for helping hurricane Katrina and Rita victims, does that contradict the spirit of volunteerism? And what about separation of church and state when it comes to financing faith-based groups' aid to evacuees?

Those are among questions raised about FEMA plans to reimburse religious groups for assisting storm victims. Though opponents of the relief program cite legitimate issues, the federal government is right to offer aid on a limited, carefully managed basis.

Katrina Contributes To Drop in Spending

Katrina Contributes To Drop in Spending: "Katrina Contributes To Drop in Spending
Personal Income Also Fell in August

By Nell Henderson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, October 1, 2005; Page A01

Consumer spending plunged in August at the steepest monthly rate since the 2001 terrorist attacks as Hurricane Katrina slashed incomes, fanned inflation and caused $170 billion in losses from property damage, the Commerce Department reported yesterday in its first tally of the storm's economic effects.

The report came the day after the Labor Department said 279,000 people filed new claims for unemployment insurance benefits because of Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29."

courant.com | Kids On Crusades

courant.com | Kids On Crusades: "Kids On Crusades
Hurricane Relief Efforts Just Part Of Dramatic Rise In Youthful Volunteers
October 3, 2005
By JOANN KLIMKIEWICZ, The Hartford Courant

All summer long, Devon Aldave wanted to organize a carwash in his West Hartford neighborhood. 'Just for fun,' the 8-year-old says with a shrug when asked to explain. But, as do many childhood impulses, the notion faded with the summer.

Then came Hurricane Katrina."

Donation drop worries charities | IndyStar.com

Donation drop worries charities | IndyStar.com: "Donation drop worries charities
Hurricanes, tsunami may hurt contributions

By Rob Schneider and John Strauss
rob.schneider@indystar.com
The nation's charities already have weathered a tsunami and two hurricanes in the past year. Now some are bracing for a possible drought -- of donations.
Central Indiana charities are watching to see whether the public will continue to support people in need closer to home. Some expect to see local donations dip, especially following this year's back-to-back hurricanes."