Catholic Charities Working Overtime to Support Victims of Hurricane Irene

Donations are needed to maintain their efforts

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the largest private network of social service organizations in the United States and among the nation's largest providers of disaster response and disaster case management services. With a history of supporting victims of hurricanes such as Katrina, Ivan and Isabel, along with other natural disasters, CCUSA began preparations for Irene long before the storm touched land.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - You won't hear much about it in the mainstream media, but Catholic Charities, USA is actively working to assist families and individuals affected by Hurricane Irene with food, shelter and other needs.

"In many ways, we were blessed -- Irene came with less intensity and impact than what we expected, but there are still thousands of people dealing with power outages, property damage, and personal loss," said Kim Burgo, Vice President of Disaster Operations for CCUSA.

"As the nation moves on from this hurricane, and the headlines cover the next story, we cannot forget about the people that have been affected.  Catholic Charities will be there to help."

Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) is the largest private network of social service organizations in the United States and among the nation's largest providers of disaster response and disaster case management services.

With a history of supporting victims of hurricanes such as Katrina, Ivan and Isabel, along with other natural disasters, CCUSA began preparations for Irene long before the storm touched land.

Burgo indicated that the number for incidents has stretched resources to the limit. With this new event, Catholic Charities is sending out a request for donations to help cover the support they will need to bring to the victims of this recent hurricane.

"Our resources-both dollar and human-have been stretched with the detrimental spring tornados and storms that affected most of the mid and eastern United States. We call upon everyone to participate in CCUSA disaster response efforts by being generous financial supporters."

A disaster donation page has been set up on the Catholic Charities website to receive gifts.

For most of the country, including areas "kissed" by the hurricane, life returned to normal very quickly once the storm had passed. Those, however, who received the brunt of this huge weather system will continue to deal with destruction, debris and the impact of vast flooding for day, weeks and possibly months to come.

Reports are continuing to filter in regarding the impact of Hurricane Irene on the entire East coast. Right now, the cost from the devastation left behind is estimated at over $13 billion.

The storm first reached land in North Carolina and Virginia, then trudged slowly up the East coast leaving more than one-half million homes and businesses in New England alone without electricity.

The toll of this tragic storm includes 44 people dead in eight states, most from drowning. In addition, high winds destroyed buildings, tore through tree lines, and downed power lines, which cause numerous fires. Now flooding of low-lying areas from the mid-Atlantic northward is increasing the impact of this vicious storm.

Catholic Charities USA's members provide help and create hope for more than 9 million people a year regardless of religious, social, or economic backgrounds. For almost 300 years, Catholic Charities agencies have worked to reduce poverty by providing a myriad of vital services in their communities, ranging from health care and job training to food and housing. In 2010, Catholic Charities USA celebrated its centennial anniversary.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online and the CEO/Associate Publisher for the Northern Virginia Local Edition of Catholic Online (http://virginia.catholic.org). He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church.

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