Info on how you can help the hurricane relief effort

The Hartford Courant just posted an article which details how you can help the hurricane victims with donations of bottled water, blankets, tents, etc.

ARMORY DONATIONS

Gov. M. Jodi Rell is asking citizens to donate bottled water, easily opened, non-perishable food and snacks, batteries, blankets, tarps and tents. Six state armory locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., beginning Thursday. The locations are:

HARTFORD: 360 Broad St.

NEW HAVEN: 209 Goffe St.

NEW LONDON: 249 Bayonet St.

NORWALK: 290 New Canaan Ave.

PUTNAM: 25 Keech St.

WATERBURY: 64 Field St.

Corporations wishing to donate should contact Lt. Col. Robert Cody with the Connecticut National Guard at (860) 524-4951.

Web site: http://www.ct.gov/governorrell/site/default.asp

AMERICAN RED CROSS

The American Red Cross is seeking citizen volunteers for two-week deployments to help hurricane victims. Volunteers must first attend a two-day training course. Chapters across the state are sponsoring training.

For further information, call:

Charter Oak Chapter: 1-877-287-3327

Waterbury Chapter: 203-755-1137


The Red Cross is also seeking monetary donations. Checks should be made payable to the American Red Cross, with "Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort" in the memo line. The organization also accepts online donations.

Web site: http://www.ctredcross.org/

SALVATION ARMY

To donate money to the Salvation Army, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks marked "Hurricane Katrina" can be sent to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 628, Hartford, CT, 06142-0628. Donations can also be made at Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores.

The group is also seeking volunteers to join hurricane relief rescue teams. Those interested should visit the organization's Web site, or call (860) 543-8400.

Web site: http://www.salvationarmy-ct-ri.org

AMERICARES

AmeriCares has established a Hurricane Relief Fund. Those wishing to donate should make checks payable to AmeriCares, and note in the memo line that the donation is for Katrina. Checks may be sent to AmeriCares, 88 Hamilton Ave., Stamford, CT, 06092. Donations to the organization can also be made online.

To contact AmeriCares by phone, call 1-800-486-HELP.

Web site: http://www.americares.org

COUNCIL 4 AFSCME

The state's largest AFL-CIO union activated its "Council 4 America" fund, first established after the Sept. 11 attacks. Union members and the general public are being urged to donate.

Checks should be made payable to "Council 4 America" and checks should note "Hurricane Katrina Relief" in the memo line. Checks can be sent to Council 4 America, 444 East Main St., New Britain, CT, 06051.

Web site: http://www.council4.org

CONNECTICUT FOOD BANK

The Connecticut Food Bank is asking for financial donations to help food banks that have been wiped out by the hurricane. Funds will go directly to helping America's Second Harvest network food banks maintain or resume operations during relief efforts.

To donate, call America's Second Harvest at (800) 771-2303. To make a donation directly to the Connecticut Food Bank, call (203) 469-5000, ext. 303.

Web site: http://www.secondharvest.org

Time is of the essence. People in the south desperately need your help so please give what you can.