HURRICANE RELIEF SUPPLY NEEDS TO EXPAND FOR BATON ROUGE
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today said that circumstances and needs in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are reported by the city’s officials as becoming more "dire" in the wake of extensive damage from Hurricane Gustav earlier this week.
The list of needed materials and supplies ahs grown and citizens, businesses and groups here are being asked to donate items that will be transported to Baton Rouge to bring relief.
Needed items are tarps, for which they reported the biggest need, as well as portable generators, sheets, towels, blankets, baby supplies, hand sanitizers, AM radios, flashlights, batteries, portable stoves, cots, pillows, washing supplies, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, disposable medical wear and supplies, basic medical supplies, mosquito repellant, suntan block, adult diapers, portable washing and dryer systems, portable shower units, underwear and socks.
Items can be brought to City Fire Station No. 1 at 1820 N. 6th Street, from which they will be packaged and transported to Baton Rouge. The station is open 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. to receive items. For further information, call 255-3131. For any checks or cash donated, they will be immediately converted into purchasing the needed items. (Checks payable to ‘City of Harrisburg – Hurricane Relief Fund’). All donations are tax-deductible. Donations will be collected until Tuesday night but may be extended if further needed.
The hurricane was the worst to hit that city, which is mostly without power. Much of the electrical infrastructure has been destroyed. Many public facilities are shut down. Supplies of basic materials are exhausted.
Reed said, "What is amazing is that the general impression of the country is that Hurricane Gustav was more of an annoyance and did not do much damage. It turns out this is not true for some and Baton Rouge is in a very bad way in immediate need of help. We urge a good response to this urgent call."
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