Advocate Online

Hurricane Relief

In order to respond directly to NEA members and their students who were victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, NEA has embarked on an effort to raise $1 million to go directly to students, teachers and school employees.The Association has also launched a Web site, www.nea.org/disasterrelief, where members can find out the latest on what they can do to help.

"We are setting up this fundraising effort to directly connect those who want to give with the students, teachers and school employees who need help," NEA President Reg Weaver said.

Bulletin boards on the site allow NEA members to exchange information, resources, and aid. NEA will also have a toll-free number (1-866-247-2239) for donations and will be accepting credit card donations on its Web site. Those who want to contribute by check can send it to the NEA HIN Hurricane Relief Fund, Suite 216, 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036.

NEA's other hurricane relief efforts include:

• Deploying staff to states impacted by the hurricane, as well as states with displaced families to help with recovery and rebuilding efforts.
• Working with business partners to develop joint relief projects to benefit schools in need of rebuilding and schools taking in displaced students.
• Advocating for flexibility from the federal government in dealing with issues arising from the relocation of students. Letters on this issue were sent to Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and members of Congress
• NEA has also protested Bush administration plans to provide federal money for private school vouchers and to suspend the Davis-Bacon prevailing wage law, under the guise of hurricane relief.