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Brooklyn Responds to Hurricane Katrina

September 2, 2005 - Brookynites are participating in the nationwide effort to provide relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina. A list of organizations accepting donations is below. Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Fox 5’s Good Day New York at Junior’s this morning to raise funds for AmeriCares, a humanitarian aid organization raising money for the victims of Katrina.

“I’d like to see every Brooklyn organization raising funds for the relief effort,” Markowitz said. “Brooklyn book clubs, sports teams, block associations, business and professional associations, schools, libraries, houses of worship, and any other forum where Brooklynites come together can all join in and make a difference. I would also like to see all Brooklyn restaurants donate a percentage of their receipts for a week to the relief effort. Right now, what is most urgently needed is donations of money. As the rescue and recovery progresses, there will be many other needs, and we will continue to respond as those needs become clear. Brooklynites can be counted upon to come to the aid of our southern neighbors and we will be there for the long haul.”

With the immediate need for short term shelter, Markowitz is asking the cruise industry to use its resources to aid the victims of this disaster. “I would like to see all US operators deploy every seaworthy ship to provide emergency shelter for the thousands of devastated families,” he said. “This is an emergency and people’s vacations can be deferred until the emergency passes. If the cruise lines need to solicit donations to defer some of the expense, I am confident that Americans and others will give generously to this effort.”

“We all have an absolute obligation to help our fellow Americans overcome this, which is one of the most extraordinary tragedies ever to impact our nation, and to be as generous as if this is happening to our own families,” he added.

One note of caution: The New York State Office of Cyber Security has warned of web sites designed to defraud unsuspecting users by soliciting donations or attempting to collect personal information. The public is advised to donate to organizations they know to be legitimate.

On Tuesday, Sept. 6 and Wed., Sept. 7, Congregation Mt. Sinai in Downtown Brooklyn will be collecting new pajamas and new or used books to send to children affected by Katrina. Donations may be brought to the synagogue, 250 Cadman Plaza West. For more information, contact Gail Singer at 718-875-9124.

Organizations accepting monetary donations for relief efforts related to Hurricane Katrina:

American Red Cross                                                   
1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669) English                     
1-800-257-7575 Spanish

America's Second Harvest
1-800-344-8070

AmeriCares
1-800-486-4357

Adventist Community Services                                   
1-800-381-7171                                                      

Catholic Charities, USA
1-800-919-9338

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
1-800-848-5818

Convoy of Hope
417-823-8998

Lutheran Disaster Response                                         
1-800-638-3522                                                         

Mennonite Disaster Service
1-717-859-2210

Operation Blessing
1-800-436-6348

Southern Baptist Convention
Disaster Relief
1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

For further information: visit the website for the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) at: www.nvoad.org