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HOW TO HELP VICTIMS OF THE IKE AND GUSTAV HURRICANE DISASTERS
Hello North American Rotary Leaders,
As you know, Rotary districts in Zone 26 sustained the brunt of the
two recent hurricanes. Here is an update, by district.
1. District 5910, southeast Texas, was hardest hit by Ike, sustaining
widespread devastation, with prospects of a long-term recovery process.
Some communities, like Galveston, were obliterated. Governor Roger
McCabe is o.k., having evacuated to San Antonio. Contributions can be
directed to the Texas Area Foundation, credit Rotary District 5910
Donor Advised Fund, and sent to PDG Hugh Summers, P.O. Box 1399,
Palestine TX 75802-1399.
2. District 6200, southwest Louisiana. Gov Mike and Martha are o.k.
Gustav hit hard, and a lot of damage in Huoma and Baton Rouge. Also
effects from Ike--the double whammy. Contributions can be made to the
D-6200 Foundation, and sent to District Secretary Karen Viator, 2266 S
College Road Extension, Lafayette LA 70508.
3. District 5890, greater Houston area. DG Rhonda and Eric are doing
o.k., though they do not have electricity. East part of Houston
sustained damage, downtown area did not look too bad. Ice and water
from FEMA was slow in coming, but it got there...after Rotarians made
that their first mission :) . Their main mission right now is
finding displaced Rotarians and finding interim lodging for them at
the home of Rotarians. Contributions can be sent to District 5890
Charities, c/o DG Rhonda Kennedy, P.O. Box 417, Sweeny TX 77480.
4. District 5930 (Corpus Christi, Victoria, Brownsville). Dodged the
bullet after Ike was headed right toward them, but changed course at
the last minute. Southern part of the district (Brownsville was
battered by Hurricane Dolly).
Here are my recommendations:
1. Send what contributions you can to one or more of these districts'
501 c 3 organizations cited above.
2. Districts adjacent to the affected districts can open your homes to
displaced Rotarians by contacting the points of contact listed above.
3. Only two of our 27 districts have appointed a Rotary Disaster
Response Coordinator. We all need to do this and notify our Zones
Coordinator, Don Chauvin, don@facts-5.com. Don will be conducting two
back-to-back breakout sessions on Rotary Disaster Response in Boise.
None of our districts is immune from disaster--Kathleen and I know--we
lost everything in the Aspen Fire of 2003 on Mt Lemmon AZ.
Let me know if you have questions or ideas. Especially, if I have
missed some affected areas. Several of our districts are hurting
badly, and we welcome your assistance.
Thank you for your support of Rotary.
phil
Philip J. Silvers
RID 2008-10
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