IABC Members and Chapters Donate Over $6,500 to Help New Orleans Members Recover from Hurricane Katrina

Our 39 IABC colleagues in New Orleans suffered devastating loss with Hurricane Katrina. IABC members and at least 26 chapters, including chapters in France and Australia and IABC headquarters, donated over $6,500 to help fellow New Orleans chapter members – passing the original goal by 30 percent.

IABC San Antonio members Joy Capps-Powell and Lisa Owens, both also IABC Southern Region board members, threw their passion behind the idea and established the IABC Southern Region Katrina Relief Fund.

And, according to Ms. Owens, the money is still coming in. IABC members also offered services and item donations soon after the disaster – from business suits to computers, office space to housing. “I personally received so many emails and phone calls from IABCers all over the world asking how they could help. Truly amazing.”

New Orleans chapter president Kim Windon, who is expecting a baby any day now, is in the process of distributing the funds to members in need as follows:

• Individuals residing in the hardest hit areas and those who were displaced received $150
• Other New Orleans members received $50 to assist with expenses incurred as a result of Hurricane Katrina

“IABC is all about our community, our network, and our colleagues, and the immediate and immense response to our call for donations to the Relief Fund just proves that our network is successful and active. I'm proud to have had a small hand in helping out our friends and colleagues in New Orleans,” Ms. Owens continued.

Since the disaster, the New Orleans chapter has partnered with PRSA while the two chapters rebuild, and leaders are currently looking for a venue for chapter meetings. The chapter still hopes to be able to host the 2007 International Conference in New Orleans as planned.

IABC Chair, Warren Bickford, ABC added this comment on the IABC Buzz area of the IABC Web site, “On behalf of the IABC Executive Board, I wanted to thank you and your team for spearheading the Katrina Relief Fund. I know the New Orleans members will be pleased to receive the support. Your effort on behalf of fellow members is an excellent example of the added value of IABC membership - belonging to a community of some of the best, most caring people in the world! Again, thank you and congratulations!”