Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: How to Help
GSUSA Establishes Emergency Response Fund,
Offers General Guidelines For Giving Aid

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 4, 2005

NEW YORK, N.Y.—Our hearts continue to go out to those affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. We are particularly anxious about the safety of our members, which include girls, staff and volunteers, and all of the families affected by these disasters. We are in touch with as many of the councils and council personnel as we can reach, in all the affected areas, and will continue to keep you apprised of any information we have as it comes in.

We encourage you to help Girl Scouts and Girl Scout councils in the affected areas by donating to the newly established Girl Scout Hurricane Emergency Response Fund. The purpose of the fund is to support Girl Scouts and Girl Scout councils affected by the hurricanes and those responding to girls who have relocated to their council areas. The National Board of Directors established the fund with a beginning allocation of $100,000 plus an additional $100,000 in matching dollars (1:1) for the first $100,000 contributed. The fund has raised $12,000 to date and it is GSUSA's intention to grow the fund through contributions over the coming months in order to provide as much assistance as possible.

We also offer these specific guidelines given by aid organizations in the areas affected by the hurricanes:

• Troops and families may choose to give money to the American Red Cross, (800) HELP-NOW (800-435-7669), or www.redcross.org as opposed to clothing, food, or medicine. Or, choose, if possible, to donate blood to your local Red Cross. This will make supplies available, if and when needed, for those who have been injured.
• Youth Service America also has a Web page, www.ysa.org/news_event/katrina/index.cfm, devoted to telling young people how they can offer help, with a list of relief organizations and contacts. Questions can be sent to info@ysa.org.
• Many religious institutions are collecting funds to support the Red Cross and other aspects of the rescue/salvage effort. Check with your faith organization.
• Another resource for deciding how you can help is: http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/
• You can also check with www.nola.com for specific information on the region and for other aid organizations seeking help.
• If you cannot get in touch with councils in the affected areas, do not panic or worry unnecessarily. Remember that phone service—both land and cell lines—may be out for days or weeks. Also remember that many people may have left the area already and have been advised not to return until further notice, making it unlikely that they will be reachable at their usual numbers.

Again, we will inform you of any and all news we receive about individual Girl Scout councils and Girl Scout personnel and properties. Rest assured that in the days and weeks ahead we will continue to find the best ways to support and assist our sister Girl Scouts, friends, and families in this crisis. Please visit our hurricance response page for inspiring stories about what Girl Scouts are doing to help and support victims of these disasters.

###