Public urged to contribute; organization pledges $100,000

LAPLACE — The St John United Way has announced the creation of the Katrina Recovery Fund to help victims of the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. The fund will help finance needed relief and recovery services provided by area organizations.

To demonstrate its own commitment to the Fund, SJUW has made an initial allocation of $100,000 from its contingency fund, and welcomes area businesses and individuals to join in the effort.

Greg Maurin, President of SJUW, stated “As we deal with the aftermath of this ‘once in a lifetime event,’ we see two distinct stages. The first is dealing with the massive relief efforts to meet the needs of both our residents as well as those in need from neighboring parishes. The second is getting our agencies and services back to their pre-Katrina level.”

Dean Torres, SJUW Executive Director, added “We are both a victim of the storm as well as an integral source of support and aid for the recovery of our community. Each of our agencies face tremendous personal and financial challenges along side the families and communities ravaged by this storm. The Katrina Relief Fund will yield tangible results for St John families and agencies alike.”

“Because of the massive nature of this disaster,” Torres continued, “SJUW will consider applications for funding from the fund by those non SJUW agencies who assumed important and extensive roles in the overall relief effort in St John Parish.”

To contribute to the Katrina Recovery Fund, mail contributions to St John United Way, P.O. Box 2019, Reserve, LA 70084.

Contributions can also be made at La. Federal Credit Union, 350 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace. Checks should be payable to SJUW Katrina Recovery Fund.