|
Katrina - Community Coordination of Local Response
Sep 6, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cliff Smith, United Way, 433-2000 KATRINA - COMMUNITY COORDINATION OF LOCAL RESPONSE FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 6, 2005) - The Lee County Long Term Recovery Committee (LTRC, see agencies below) is coordinating community response to the victims of Katrina arriving in our community. It is estimated that 90 households have arrived in Lee County and are staying with local Churches, host families and family members. The LTRC is meeting weekly to coordinate resources and services to those families here and that may be arriving in the future. The objective is to reach Katrina victims and victims who intend to remain in Lee County with coordinated resources including job placement, housing and other resources. Katrina victims that are staying with area host families, Churches or family members are asked to call the American Red Cross. Local resources will be coordinated with the area agencies. All food donations should be directed to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, 2126 Alicia Street, Ft. Myers, 33901 ( off Fowler St. ) 334-7007. The business community can assist by calling the Workforce Development Board, Career and Service Center, 939-5335 to register employment opportunities. The greatest community need is long-term housing. Landlords that are interested in donating or providing rental properties for 8 to 12 months should call the American Red Cross to provide contact information and location of property. For general information please call 211 information line operated by the United Way. The Long Term Recovery Committee, American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, Harry Chapin Food Bank, Area Agency on Aging, Workforce Development Board, Catholic Charities and the Lee County Emergency Management and Human Services, would like to thank all residents for their generosity to the Katrina victims. ALSO: Lee County Public Safety Director John Wilson has been sent, at the request of the State of Florida, to Mississippi to lead an incident command team. And the county also has sent an ambulance and two crews to Mississippi to aid in the relief effort. |