Louisiana Starts Official Fund to Support Katrina Victims

BATON ROUGE, La. -- Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco of Louisiana announced Thursday, Sept. 8, the creation of a national toll free number -- (877) HELPLA1 or (877) 435-7521 -- to reach the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, a nonprofit foundation established to accept donations that will be used to meet the immediate and long term needs of the thousands of Louisiana citizens whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina. 

"People from all over Louisiana and the nation are heartbroken at the sight of death and destruction in southeastern Louisiana," said Governor Blanco. "In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, we have received an outpouring of support by phone, fax and e-mail from people throughout Louisiana and the United States. This new toll-free number will give people without internet access a way to help their fellow citizens in need. 

To reach the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation dial (877) 435-7521. The call center will handle calls 24 hour a day and 7 days a week and will accept credit card and debit card donations. In conjunction with the new toll-free number the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation would also like to announce its new Web site, www.louisianahelp.org, although information can still be found at www.louisiana.gov.

The foundation will also accept donations via check.  Checks should be made payable to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation and sent to: PO Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095. Credit card donations will also be accepted online at www.louisianahelp.org or www.louisiana.gov.

"The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation will allow us to respond to those offers and help us quickly, efficiently and effectively move these donations to those who need it the most," Blanco added.

The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation has been established in order to help provide immediate assistance to our citizens in need through a network of Louisiana charities, nonprofit and governmental agencies, including clearinghouses like the Louisiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster. The foundation is also designed to support long-term family restoration and recovery by focusing on education, housing, health care, legal assistance and jobs for Louisiana families whose lives have been altered by Hurricane Katrina. For additional information visit www.louisianahelp.org.