United Way E News 2007 Volume 3

As the rest of the country moved on after the devastating 2005 Hurricane Season, 2006 proved to be one of the most trying and difficult years for those rebuilding in New Orleans.

Thankfully, in that trying year after Katrina, the amount of eager volunteers and generous donations surpassed expectations. Those who lost everything also gave back to the community: small communities took the initiative to take care of their own neighbors, the public sector donated record-breaking numbers, employees and management from multi-million dollar corporations continued United Way campaigns despite also suffering personal losses, and the United Way family [and partnered agencies] extended their arms from all over the country.

As previously mentioned, companies like Entergy and Shell raised large sums of money through their employee payroll deduction campaign. Boeing, the world's leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, donated $25,000 specifically to United Way for the GNO Area. According to the company’s Corporate Philanthropy Report, employee and management contributions to the American Red Cross – a United Way partnered agency – and other disaster relief agencies for Hurricane Katrina aid efforts in Louisiana and Mississippi totaled more than $9.3 million.

Closer to home, the New Orleans Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and Federal Executive Board (FEB) raised an impressive $1.36 million in 2006, doubling the $600,000 raised in 2005 and reaching the monetary levels of the private sector. Through CFC, military personnel, postal workers, and federal workers also contributed to hurricane relief, raising approximately $267,000 per person along with their daily duties serving the community.

In addition to money and time, United Way received and distributed some donated items that are taken for granted but necessary in a daily routines.

Maytag donated 200 refrigerators and Whirlpool donated 375 various appliances throughout 2006, valuing at approximately $300,000.
H. Wilson Company and McDermott Furniture donated office furniture, some of which is currently used in United Way for the GNO Area’s Canal Street Offices after the building received damage.
Dr. Gizelle Poche- Richard also donated office furniture to the Committee for Plaquemines Recovery to assist in the satellite office located in Buras.
The St. Landry Evangeline United Way and Spectrum Brands-Cutter donated insect repellent, a yearly necessity in New Orleans.
Tribune Broadcasting’s Channels 26 and 38 teamed up with the Dryades YMCA for the 2006 winter season to produce “Bruce Katz’s Coats for Kids”, distributing the coats to Diamond Trailer Park in Plaquemines Parish.

2007 is underway, and sadly New Orleans residents have again suffered damages to homes and belongings caused by a tornado early in the year. United Way is grateful to have such a supportive donor and volunteer foundation and is confident that through this generosity, New Orleans can successfully endure through whatever the future may hold for our community.