Mississippi and Louisiana now have relief funds established in their state foundations to take contributions to assist their students and colleges affected by Hurricane Katrina. Below are links to their web sites for information, and updates on damage to their colleges, as well as information on both funds available for contributions.
For information on Mississippi colleges:
http://www.sbcjc.cc.ms.us/
For information on Louisiana colleges:
http://www.lctcs.state.la.us/hurricane.html
As a result of hurricane Katrina, offers for assistance to Mississippi community colleges have poured in from across the nation. Due to current circumstances, assistance in the form of people coming into the state is not feasible. It is also too soon to determine the need to transfer and house students in other states. However, a lot of students are and will be in need.
Mississippi has been able to set up a fund through the statewide community college foundation to receive funds to go towards the needs of students. They envision that the foundation will work with the colleges to identify specific students with needs both now and in subsequent semesters as a result of this disaster.
Donations can be made to the address below, and should be designated as hurricane Katrina assistance. The foundation is a 501(c )(3) entity to which donations are tax deductible.
Mississippi Community College Foundation
Attn. Dede Ginn
P.O. Box 23414
Jackson, MS 39225-3414
Hurricane Katrina represents the worst natural disaster in United States history, particularly for southeast Louisiana and other cities along the gulf coast. Evacuees have had to leave their homes and may not be able to return for 6 to twelve weeks, many have dwindling resources, families to care for, and no place to settle into until the region is detoxified and/or rebuilt.
The Louisiana Community and Technical College System has approximately 21,000 students and 1,000 employees who have been displaced as a result of this storm.
To alleviate some of the affects of Hurricane Katrina, an emergency relief fund has been created to aid students and employees of the LCTCS community. Donations to the LCTCS relief fund will provide assistance to affected students who cannot afford books and personal items in the aftermath of this deadly storm.
To make a tax deductible contribution to the LCTCS Relief Fund, please make checks payable to the BRCC Foundation (for LCTCS President’s Fund) and mail to the address listed below. The memo/for line should include the phrase – “Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.”
Attn: Dr. Angel Royal
LCTCS
265 S. Foster Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70806