U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY LAUNCHES OPERATION LIFE RING Humanitarian program aimed at assisting victims from Hurricane Katrina
SACRAMENTO - In the wake of the suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, the Coast Guard Auxiliary is launching Operation Life Ring, a humanitarian effort to mobilize its members to assist the citizens of the Gulf Coast region, and any others whose lives have been forever changed by this catastrophe.


    Contact: Ed Sweeney, DC-Ad
Deputy Chief - Public Affairs
(916) 284-8507
DC-Ad@auxpa.org


Press Release



U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY LAUNCHES OPERATION LIFE RING

Humanitarian program aimed at assisting victims from Hurricane Katrina


/Boating News Articles/ - September 12, 2005 - SACRAMENTO - In the wake of the suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is launching Operation Life Ring, a humanitarian effort to mobilize its 31,000 members to assist the citizens of the Gulf Coast region, and any others whose lives have been forever changed by this catastrophe.

Operation Life Ring has five components to help bring relief to the suffering in the Gulf States region:

Relief Fund for USCGAUX members and their families: he Coast Guard Auxiliary Association ("CGAuxA") established a relief fund primarily for Auxiliary and Coast Guard victims of Hurricane Katrina. Upon meeting their needs, any remaining donation funds will go to assist others in the stricken region. Go to http://www.cgauxa.org/ or contact the Association at 314-962-8828 or auxa@sbcglobal.net

Services for USCG D8 and/or FEMA: All Auxiliarists who are ready, willing, and able to do so, are asked assist in disaster relief operations by volunteering to serve with the U.S. Coast Guard's District 8, and/or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In 2004, over 200 Auxiliarists from across the country assisted FEMA as Community Relations Officers. It is likely that Hurricane Katrina will require even a larger response from the Auxiliary.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Fund: In response, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) has established an account to receive contributions designated for that specific purpose. Contributions marked "Katrina" will be earmarked and tracked to ensure they are used first and foremost to meet the needs of Coast Guard members and families associated with Hurricane Katrina

In-Kind Donations of Essential staples (food, water, clothing): Local Auxiliary units are encouraged to work with local agencies in their AOR, such as the Red Cross (www.redcross.org or 1-800-HELP-NOW), The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org or 1-800-SAL-ARMY ), Convoy of Hope (http://www.convoyofhope.org or 1-417-823-8998), and any other local reputable charities, to gather essential staples - food, water, and supplies, that can be shipped to the hurricane victims.

Blood: All Auxiliarists who are medically able to do so are encouraged to donate blood and/or blood platelets. Local USCGAUX units are encouraged to host a blood drive, or partner with a local USCG unit to host a blood drive.

For more details on Operation Life Ring, visit http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/OPERATIONLIFERINGannouncement090705.pdf

To make a contribution to Operation Life Ring, visit http://auxcen.shopauxiliary.com/d8/default.php?cPath=200

For over 60 years, tens-of-thousands of men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary have spent millions of volunteer hours helping the Coast Guard carry out its missions. The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer's who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

For more information on America's Volunteer Lifesavers, visit our website at: http://www.cgaux.org/ or www.auxpa.org

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Press Release Contact Information:

Wayne Spivak
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
Chief, External Communications
2711 Bellmore Avenue
Bellmore, NY
USA 117104319
Voice: 5163539155
Website: Visit Our Website