Letter to the Editor
May 31, 2006
Dear Editor,
I am writing in response to the article titled “FEMA closing volunteer camps,” (Times-Picayune, Wednesday, May 31). Volunteers of America in partnership with the United Way has coordinated the volunteer efforts of more than 8,000 people since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region, and New Orleans is in desperate need of many more volunteers this summer. One of the biggest hurdles we face in recruiting volunteers is finding them affordable places to stay.
While the community recovery efforts and potential volunteers will be affected by the closing of the FEMA sponsored camps, we still have free housing options thanks to the generosity of one local business that has been a leader in its support of the rebuilding effort. New Orleans Fine Hotels developed the Rooms for Revitalization program which is donating 75 hotel rooms per day throughout the summer to our out-of-town volunteers – a total of more than 8,000 free room nights. The program also donates rooms to volunteers with Catholic Charities and the Katrina Krewe and offers discounted rooms to volunteers working with other initiatives.
On behalf of Volunteers of America, I would like to thank New Orleans Fine Hotels for this donation which has been invaluable to our efforts to recruit volunteers to support the rebuilding process in New Orleans .
For more information about volunteer opportunities or the Rooms for Revitalization program, please visit http://1-800-volunteer.org or www.NewOrleansFineHotels.com . I encourage your readers to share this information with any out-of-town friends who may be considering visiting and volunteering in New Orleans this summer.
Jim LeBlanc, President/CEO
Volunteers of America
Phone: 504-905-3463
