More than a year after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans families are still working on home restorations and renovations in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Plaquemines, and Tangipahoa Parishes. 

Through the case management process of Catholic Charities Operation Helping Hands and Lutheran Disaster Response, two families that suffered Katrina losses are received brand new Kitchen Appliances donated from the Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers (AHAM) and Gifts In Kind International in conjunction with United Way for the Greater New Orleans Area.

AHAM is the U.S. based trade association of the home appliance manufacturing industry located in Washington DC.  Its members include the manufacturers of “major,” “portable,” and "floor care" home appliances and the companies who supply and service these manufacturers.  AHAM encourages its members to donate products to disaster relief efforts as well as year-round donations through Gifts In Kind International, a leading charity in the field of product philanthropy.  Gifts In Kind’s primary mission is to link donor resources to enhance, empower, and restore communities and people in need.

During AHAM's 40th anniversary year, the organization began the Home Sweet Home program with the goal of providing at least 40 families with a full suite of appliances.   AHAM also hopes to recognize the individual contributions that our members have made to the Greater NO area, in addition to their collective efforts through the Home Sweet Home program.    

Both families that received the AHAM donations, one from New Orleans East and the other from St. Bernard Parish, lost everything to Katrina.