wfn.org | [GOAA] Online Resources Available for Hurricane Katrina

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Web: http://www.goarch.org
Email: communications@goarch.org

For Immediate Release
September 2, 2005

Contact: Dept. of Communications
Email: communications@goarch.org
Marissa Costidis â?? 732-522-1637 (cell)
Fr. Nektarios Morrow â?? 212-774-0506

ONLINE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RELIEF EFFORT

New York, NY â?? The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has established
a special web site to assist with information and resources during the
Hurricane Katrina relief effort.  The site,
www.goarch.org/en/special/hurricane_katrina/, features the latest news on
the response, along with a link for online donations to the Hurricane
Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, and message boards to assist with information
on families, parishioners, and parishes affected by the disaster.

Also included on the site is a special bulletin insert that can be used by
our parishes to inform and to assist with donations.  The insert is in a
pdf format and can be easily printed, reproduced, and distributed. The site
also includes a section for prayer requests and a link to various services
of the Church that guide in offering prayer and supplication during this
difficult time.

The site also has a direct link to the web site of International Orthodox
Christian Charities (IOCC), the humanitarian aid agency of the Standing
Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.  IOCC is
working with other disaster relief agencies to coordinate the general
relief effort.	Already, response teams are confirming the extent of this
tragedy and working to establish relief centers and direct supplies to
people in the devastated areas and to the hundreds of thousands of refugees
who are relocating to other areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and
Texas.	IOCC is asking Orthodox parishes to assemble health kits to assist
with the immediate needs.  Information on the contents of the kits and
where to send them can be found at
http://www.iocc.org/kidspage/healthkit_frameset.html.

The site is also serving the growing need for communication among clergy,
parishioners, and families displaced by the disaster.  The message boards
are linked to the site or can be accessed at http://forums.goarch.org.
Those who do not have Internet access can offer or request information from
the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta at 404-634-9345.

As more information on the relief effort and the status of the Orthodox
parishes in the region becomes available, it will be posted on this special
site.  Offers of specific types of assistance can also be directed to IOCC
at 1-877-803-4622.