AidMatrix is a leading aid organization that mobilizes more than $1.5 billion in aid annually, worldwide. The donated goods, money and services benefit the lives of more than 65 million people.
Posted on 09/01/2008 4:09:11 PM PDT by flyfree
2008 Republican National Convention Launches First Day of Hurricane Relief Effort
SAINT PAUL, MN -- Today, the 2008 Republican National Convention launched the first day of its Hurricane Gustav Relief Effort. The effort includes the formation of a center where volunteers will assemble and send 80,000 "comfort packages," a text message alert system, and a comprehensive effort to encourage Americans to donate to charities identified by the five Gulf Coast governors. These efforts augment the steps that the convention announced yesterday, which included the formation of the Affected States Working Group and the establishment of an Affected States Information Center.
"We are deeply concerned about the safety and welfare of the residents of the Gulf States region. Senator McCain has asked us to put country first and shift our focus to assisting the Gulf State citizens, and we have coordinated a relief effort that answers his call to service. We are doing what Americans do best: helping our fellow citizens in need," said Rick Davis, campaign manager for McCain 2008.
Chairman of the Republican National Committee Robert M. "Mike" Duncan added, "The safety and well-being of the people of the Gulf States remains our top concern. Over the past 24 hours, we have moved quickly to mobilize people and resources to assist the Gulf States' residents -- both those who are in the region and our delegates in Saint Paul -- in any way we can."
Comfort Care Packages
The 2008 Republican National Convention has joined with Target, FedEx, and the Red Cross to send 80,000 "comfort packages" to the Gulf Coast region. The packages will be assembled at the Minneapolis Convention Center in a staging area being assembled today. The packages will have basic necessities donated by Target, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, soap, granola bars, and other prepackaged foods. The donated materials will arrive in Saint Paul on Wednesday at 8 a.m., and FedEx will ship the packages to the appropriate locations.
The 2008 Republican National Convention is helping coordinate the volunteer effort. We expect 200 volunteers, which will be working in 75 minute shifts beginning on Wednesday.
Text Message Alert System
We have launched a text message alert system to inform delegates and alternates of program changes and other information as soon as it becomes available. The convention is in continuous communication with all delegates, speakers, and program participants. All parties understand that the schedule for the convention will be dictated by the conditions on the ground in the Gulf States and are, therefore, subject to change. The campaign and the convention's first priority is the safety and security of those living in the areas where the hurricane will make landfall.
Charitable Donations
The governors of the states affected by the hurricane recommended five charitable organizations that Americans can donate to if they wish to contribute to the relief efforts. The 2008 Republican National Convention is working to coordinate and encourage donations to these groups. In addition, the McCain 2008 campaign has set up a phone bank at the Hilton in Minneapolis, which will help coordinate donations to these groups. The five groups are as follows:
Louisiana: AidMatrix (www.AidMatrix.org)
AidMatrix is a leading aid organization that mobilizes more than $1.5 billion in aid annually, worldwide. The donated goods, money and services benefit the lives of more than 65 million people.
Mississippi: Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund (www.MississippiRelief.com)
The Mississippi Hurricane Recovery Fund has been set up by Governor Haley Barbour to serve as the state's central clearinghouse for corporations, organizations and individuals to donate money, equipment, goods, services, volunteers and time to the hundreds of thousands of Mississippians who may be affected by Hurricane Gustav.
Alabama: Governor's Emergency Relief Fund (www.ServeAlabama.gov)
In preparation for the possibility of Hurricane Gustav impacting Alabama, Governor Bob Riley and the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives are accepting offers of goods, volunteers and financial donations.
Texas: Texas Responds (www.TexasResponds.org)
When activated by the State of Texas, Texas Responds serves as the state portal for non-cash donations such as goods and services.
Florida: Florida Disaster Fund (www.FloridaDisasterFund.org)
The mission of the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund is to raise funds to help Floridians recover from natural disasters by strengthening families and rebuilding communities.
The McCain 2008 campaign has also set up a web site, www.causegreater.com, where Americans can go to learn more about these organizations. In addition, the 2008 Republican National Convention's official web site is now being updated to focus on the charitable efforts the convention is now engaged in.
Prayer Service
A prayer service, hosted by Texas Governor Rick Perry and the Texas delegation, will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Central Presbyterian Church in Saint Paul. The service will be led by Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. The Texas delegation has invited all other Gulf State delegations to participate.
Today's announcement is an update to the efforts announced yesterday, which included the formation of the Affected States Working Group and the establishment of an Affected States Information Center. The working group is comprised of representatives from each of the states in Hurricane Gustav's path. It is led by all five state party chairs from the affected area along with other delegation officials. The group communicates twice a day and is actively working to ensure that all affected delegates have the information and assistance they need. The group regularly briefs their delegates and convention planners, provides access to timely information and assistance, and gives input on appropriate steps that can be taken from Minnesota.
In addition, the Affected States Information Center, housed in the Xcel Energy Center, is now up and running. The center will remain open during the Xcel Energy Center's operating hours and serves as a central location where delegates can get news about the hurricane, weather reports, and information about rescue relief organizations; access to computers and phones; and the resources they need to address their situations back home. There are also representatives in the center that can contact Gulf State governors, if needed.
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Very good...
I'm not sure about the current slogan, which covers the four days, though. It is "Serving a cause greater than self-interest."
This isn’t a criticism of McCain and the GOP ...
... but ...
... am I the only one getting tired of the Republic being brought to a standstill whenever a hurricane comes a-callin’?
Funny, I watched ABC news tonight all I saw was waves splashing over a dike, endless commentary on a pregnant teen and cameras shoved in faces of delegates at parties.
Nothing on the comfort packages.
I knew I should have just hit the off button and come here.
Oh for God’s sake. It’s a big rainstorm. Thsi just proves how much the REpublicans are afraid of the MSM. No wonder Putin and Ahmadinijad are calling our bluff.
No, you aren’t. I’m more than a little sick of it, too......and I’ve lived through my share of ‘em.
hear hear.
it’s now over, nothing but a cat1 now.......tomorrow it’s our turn to shine! and I hope bristol is there with her family having the time of her life! Go McCain/Palin - win the White House for us!
I agree sob stories rule the day in modern America. It’s a storm. Deal with it.
I think the Republicans have done an excellent job in the way they are handling this situation. They are showing genuine concern for the people of the Gulf Coast, and are putting them first, downplaying the Party’s agenda at the convention in Minnesota. Quite a contrast to the Paul Wellstone memorial service a few years ago.
Nope. What are they raising money for? We don't even know who, if anyone, has been affected and how. They got the people out of the way in case a levee broke. Ok, sounds like a plan. But since the levees seem to have held, again I ask, why raise money? Part of me thinks they should have gone on with the convention as planned and made a point of saying that the 5 REPUBLICAN governors of the gulf states have things well in hand.
Yeah, it’s just a little storm. At least 5 dead so far, millions without power, trees down everywhere, flooding, damage to all kinds of property, and New Orleans evacuated, and just one little piece of the levy fails and New Orleans...
And it’s not just Louisiana affected.
Common guys, the Dems were allowed to wrongly crucify Bush over Katrina. And they are watching now, you betcha. What are they to do?
I wonder if the Red Cross will launch a fund drive for aid for victims. And I also wonder how they will spend the money raised. And how much they will charge the victims for coffee, donuts, bottled water, etc.
Add to that list - I wonder if FEMA is going to buy up a bunch more mobile homes and stockpile them - unused - somewhere...
I wonder if the Red Cross will launch a fund drive for aid for victims.
Well, that didn’t take long. I saw the huge Red Cross appeal for funds just now on Fox.
This was a no-win for the GOP - look foolish by turning the convention into a fundraiser for the Katrina II that wasn't, or be accused of being Nero by fiddling as Louisiana drowned.
What I found truly disgusting was that some channels, like C-SPAN, were giving the RNC airtime to the lefty protesters. So you tune in to the convention and have to listen to their wild-eyed drivel instead. MSM reeks.
I was just on a Hillary support blog and they had a news item saying that a bus of cub scouts had been attacked by protesters. These leftists are the lowest of the low, attacking children!
I am continually surprised by the sanity and thoughtfulness of the people on this particular Hillary site. Man, are they mad and boy, do they hate Obama! They are already disenchanted with the Dem. party, and things like attacking cub scouts just make them even angrier.
Personally, I thought they were all looney toons, but there appears to be a big difference between the trash on DU and Daily Kos, and the Hillary supporters.
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