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Association Establishes Relief Fund For Katrina Victims

By Terri Rimmer

The National Foster Parent Association has established a relief fund for hurricane victims.

The Association is collecting supplies to give to the families in need who were struck by Hurricane Katrina.

Items such as new or used baby clothes, clothing for adults and children, shoes, sleeping bags, and duffle/travel bags among other items are requested as well as shampoo, shaving cream, disposable razors, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

The Association, based in Gig Harbor, Washington is the only national organization supporting foster parents and calls themselves a strong voice for children.

Items for Mississippi may be sent to Becky Watkins, 115 Glynn Avenue, Quitman, MS 39355.

The Association has a priority list for Louisiana of generators and gas, baby supplies, disinfectants, can openers, food supplies that don’t require preparation, paper plates, and other items.

They have also gotten requests from Mississippi for displaced foster families which include diapers, gift cards, monetary donations, school supplies, and gym bags among other things.

The Association, a non-profit organization, has also started a clothing drive for foster family hurricane victims.

Monetary donations are also being collected for cash grants and gifts cards.

In a press release from the Association, Karen Jorgenson, executive director, said that people have been calling them from all over the country asking how they can help. She advises foster families to call their state association first. This also applies to anyone interested in fostering children from those affected families.

Jorgenson and Project Manager Dianne Kocer were scheduled to be in Mississippi and Louisiana to help with relief efforts Oct. 8-13.

Donations may be made by check or credit card.

You may mail all donations to: The National Foster Parent Association, 7512 Stanich Lane, #6, Gig Harbor, VA 98335. The phone number is 800-557-5238.

Displaced foster families in Louisiana can call 800-259-3428, in Mississippi 800-821-9157, and for those affected by Hurricane Rita in Texas, 800-233-3405.

For online donations, go to NFPAInc.org.

The National Center for Homeless Education at Serve, Inc/Serve Center (NCHE) and the National Center for Homelessness and Poverty are also involved in relief efforts with state coordinators, local homeless education liaisons, educators, agencies by enrolling children in families displaced by Katrina in school and providing services.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the federal act that ensures the rights of the children experiencing instability or loss of homes to make sure they get their education.

For more information, access serve.org/nche.

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