Sunday, April 14, 2013

WI Efforts for Hurrican Sandy, by Emily Pyrek



Wisconsin residents and organizations are collecting donations on behalf of the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  Though the storm’s destruction was confined to eastern states including New York, West Virginia, and Maine, Wisconsin locals are eager to provide aid to those affected.

State Representative Paul Ryan visited the La Crosse Republican headquarters on October 30th to help collect canned good donations for the Red Cross.  Ryan also stopped by the Hudson Victory Center where food donations were gathered for Nourish America.

The Girl Scouts USA has temporarily halted previous fundraising guidelines to allow troops from across the county to raise money for Girl Scout troops in the east.  The River Valley Girl Scouts will be collecting money for the Girl Scouts USA’s Hurricane Sandy Fund.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse is partnering with Catholic Charities USA to collect financial donations through their website, http://www.cclse.org/donate, or by mail.  Checks can be sent to their development center located at 3710 East Avenue South.

Wisconsin businesses have made an effort to assist the Red Cross in collecting monetary and donations as well as supplies.  Nelson Agri-Center of Viroqua and Nelson True Value of Prairie du Chien set up collections in the days after the storm hit October 29th.  The two locations had raised a combined total of over $11,000.00 by November 1st.

The Nitty Gritty restaurant in Madison hosted a dinner fundraiser November 5th through the Business, Badgers, and Beyond organization.  A donation was made to the Red Cross for each meal purchased.

The Donors Forum of Wisconsin is assisting independent donors as well as managers of public or private foundations or corporate giving programs.  Persons or companies wishing to donate substantial funds are advised to work with the Donors Forum to develop grants or foundations that meet the legal guidelines for a disaster relief fund.