Disney�s Support of Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts
Disney contributed $2.5 million towards relief efforts after hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast: $1 million to Red Cross relief efforts, $1 million to rebuilding efforts and $500,000 to the Points of Light Foundation's Volunteer Center National Network.
Disney's donation to the Red Cross has already been put to work. In addition, Disney's $500,000 donation to the Points of Light Foundation Volunteer Center National Network was immediately made available to Volunteer Centers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and adjacent affected areas. The funds went to first-phase disaster relief and will help enable longer-term disaster recovery efforts by supporting volunteers working in the affected areas.
To help children and families get through this unsettling time, Disney sent televisions, DVD players, videos, books and games to shelters, and has worked to make sure that Disney films are on hand for children and families in locations where they can be shown. Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters also visited shelters to help bring smiles to children during the difficult time.
On September 9, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The WB and UPN joined forces for a primetime special entitled "Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast," to raise funds for those impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. The one-hour commercial-free simulcast saluted the brave citizens in the devastated areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and paid tribute to the rescue personnel guiding relief efforts in the region. Preliminary unaudited tallies from phone and online contributions indicated that the special raised an estimated $30 million for the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
The above-mentioned is only a snapshot of how Disney is helping those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. If you would like to learn more about worthy organizations to support and how you can help, please visit one of the following sites:
First Book
"Book Relief" is an unprecedented, publishing industry-wide effort that will distribute at least 5 million books to those displaced by Katrina, to schools and libraries supporting the evacuees, and to replenish the schools and libraries ultimately rebuilt in the Gulf Coast.
Toys for Tots
The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation will make a significant effort to help ensure that millions of needy children nationwide will have a toy during the holiday season.
Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation
"Operation Send-A-Smile" invites people to visit the Starlight Starbright Web site to make a donation to help purchase and ship coloring books, crayons, sticker books, stickers, children's books, cuddly plush bears and other items to children to help them endure the long journey of displacement.
Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
This fund will serve to fill in the gaps and unmet needs that arise in the months and possibly years ahead in this recovery effort. The fund will work primarily with the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama, but also with established national & local organizations, who are working directly with those affected, in identifying and funding these gaps.
Volunteer Center National Network
This site connects you to volunteer opportunities in your community, helps you track your volunteer service, and sends you automatic e-mail notifications � enabling you to respond when you're needed most.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross estimates that Hurricane Katrina relief efforts will exceed $2 billion, meeting the urgent needs of nearly one million families in three key areas � food and shelter, emergency financial assistance to disaster survivors, and physical and mental health services.
Habitat for Humanity®
Habitat for Humanity is not a "first response" organization-they do not help in the "relief" phase of a disaster, but rather in the "recovery" phase, providing long-term housing solutions for low-income families. In an effort to serve more families more quickly, they have launched "Operation Home Delivery," which will allow parts of homes to be "pre-built" and then shipped into affected areas for faster setup once permanent rebuilding becomes possible.
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