County officials encourage aid to victims of Katrina

Ocean County officials are encouraging residents to provide a financial hand to those whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

“We are working with disaster relief agencies in assisting the hurricane victims,” said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “Because it is the lead agency for disaster relief, we are urging residents to contribute to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.”

The county is assisting in getting donations for the agency through the use of posters and flyers that will be placed in county buildings, including libraries, and distributed to other agencies and municipalities.

“We want people to get the right information when it comes to making a donation,” said Freeholder John P. Kelly, who serves as director of Law and Public Safety. “We want to make certain they donate to a legitimate agency.”

Information is available at the County Connection in Ocean County Mall, Toms River. The County Connection is a county government service outlet operated by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Staff there will help residents make contributions to the Red Cross whether it be online or over the telephone.

“Our staff can help residents by calling the Red Cross or by helping them get to the Red Cross Web site to make a donation,” Kelly said. “We know many people want to help those people who are on the Gulf Coast who no longer have homes rather just the clothes on their back.

“This board however wants to make sure your financial donations get to the right place,” Kelly said. “The money sent to the fund is earmarked to help the victims of Katrina and other disasters.”

Vicari noted that Ocean County residents are already making their way to the Gulf Coast as trained Red Cross volunteers.

“Hundreds of thousands of people are trying to cope with the aftermath of this huge storm,” Vicari said. “When storms of this magnitude hit we rely on outside agencies to help. This is the way we can give back.”

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.

Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the Jersey Coast Chapter, American Red Cross, P.O. Box 131, Tinton Falls 07724-0131, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Or people can call (800)-HELP NOW.

Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org or www.jerseycoast-redcross.org.

“Our residents and our employees are very caring and I urge them to help in this effort,” Vicari said. “Our Gulf Coast neighbors really need our help.”