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Guest column: In the wake of hurricane floods, Arizona shined

Arizona has always been known as a haven of warmth for people seeking relief from other states' cold winds and rains. However, our reputation took on new meaning in the days and weeks following Hurricane Katrina. As soon as the world glimpsed the first tragic Gulf Coast images on the television, the people of Arizona were lining up to offer help ‹ and that help continues to this day.

In the hurricane's aftermath, state agencies and local governments rallied to organize the official relief efforts and plan for evacuees. However, for every state or local official, there were literally hundreds of community volunteers ‹ and without their tireless efforts, Arizona's rapid response would not have been possible.

The immediate reaction from faith-based and community groups was overwhelming, and within the first day of the shelters' and donation centers' opening, Arizona had more than enough donations and volunteers to meet the immediate needs of the evacuees. However, what I am even more grateful for is the continued relief efforts of these groups. Community leaders and volunteers clearly understand that the hurricane's road to recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and they have dedicated themselves to the entire run.

Faith-based and community organizations have also stepped in to supply comfort and care to meet evacuees' unique personal and spiritual needs. One group, for example, learned of two men who were having trouble finding clothes that fit them at stores where they had gift vouchers. The group arranged for both of these men to visit the Big and Tall store where they could get the clothing they needed.

When another community group discovered a mother who had enrolled in community college and her daughter, also a student, the group quietly bought school supplies for both of them. They also helped coordinate volunteer efforts, and worked out transportation, housing referrals and food services for evacuees. Others still provided countless hours of counseling and mental health services to evacuees struggling with grief, shock, or post-traumatic stress.

Many groups also offered direct financial support to the hurricane survivors. One foundation in particular issued checks that evacuees could cash right in the shelters. To date, this foundation has given survivors over $97,000 in direct financial aid, helping 1,150 people from 713 families.

There is almost no end to the thoughtful items and support services faith-based and community groups and caring individuals offered Katrina survivors. Cell phones with prepaid phone cards; storage for the belongings evacuees left in the Coliseum shelter; space at local churches where relief workers could meet to train and organize; even relief for those relief workers in the form of professionally-catered lunches. And in what was perhaps the most important contribution ‹ these groups and individuals put a human face on the relief efforts and made personal connections with evacuees. In many instances, faith-based and community groups worked with the state to serve as information hubs ‹ both for survivors needing help and volunteers wanting to know how they could provide it.

I cannot express my gratitude to all the caring Arizonans who have given their time, talent and financial support to the hurricane relief efforts. Time and again, I am proud to be the Governor of such a wonderful state. And I know I can count on these groups and volunteers for their continued support. Together, we will help hurricane survivors reclaim what was lost, rebuild on what is left, and restore their lives.


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