NEWS INFORMATION FROM

CONTACT: Beth Rutherford
VP, Communications and Marketing
Work: (717) 732-0700
E-Mail Address: brutherford@uwcr.org

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
20 September 2004

LOCAL UNITED WAY CREATES FLOOD RELIEF FUND

HARRISBURG—(September 20)—United Way of the Capital Region (UWCR) has created a flood relief fund to help address mid-term and long-term needs in eastern Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties resulting from this weekend’s devastating flood.

“The fund will address needs that relate to the flooding caused by Hurricane Ivan,” said Joseph M. Capita, UWCR president and CEO. “While the Red Cross and Salvation Army do a great job of responding to disasters like this, our goal is to help fill the gaps. Not all of the needs will be immediately clear. Our fund will be used to supplement and complement the services currently being provided.”

Capita said 100 percent of every gift to the Capital Region Flood Relief Fund will be used to address needs and help victims. “Our organization will not deduct any administrative expenses, and we will require any agency receiving a grant from us to also waive administrative costs,” said Capita. “It’s important that every penny we raise gets directed to help people in need.”

“We’ve just started our annual campaign and we encourage people to give to this fund ‘above and beyond’ what they would normally donate to charity,” he said. “The health and human service needs of our community are always great and will still be with us long after the flood waters recede.”

UWCR’s Executive Committee has decided to make a lead gift of $20,000 to the fund. “We believe we need to set the pace for giving,” said Charles Pearson, UWCR board chairman and chairman of Waypoint Bank.” This initial gift is an expression of our caring and concern for those who have suffered as a result of this unfortunate disaster.”

The charity will use its citizen review process to distribute the money. “That means community residents will help us decide where the money raised by this fund will have the greatest impact and help the most people. We will not make grants directly to people,” said Capita. “We will make grants to agencies that provide needed services. If necessary, we can begin making initial grants in as little as 10 days.”

To make a contribution to the fund, send checks to the Capital Region Flood Relief Fund, c/o UWCR, 2235 Millennium Way, Enola, PA 17025. For more information, call 732-0700 or visit uwcr.org.

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