Important Request for Hurricane Relief

Mission: Paws for Justice

Dear Neighbors,

As you know, Hurricane Katrina has devastated the Gulf Coast region and the overwhelming and ruinous effects of this storm have been felt nationwide. Given this disaster, it is my fervent hope that the Norfolk community will willingly join together to participate in a donation drive in order to bring relief to those in need. While there are so many needs as a result of this disaster (housing, elderly, schools, children, etc.) and numerous relief organizations harkening your financial support, I am calling upon you to consider the pets that have been displaced because of this natural disaster. Many of them have lost their families (over 1,500 dogs and cats are standing at the side of the road waiting for someone to get them), been left in flooded homes, taken to overcrowded shelters, or found swimming along the water-filled roads. As a concerned pet lover, in cooperation with the town Board of Selectmen, the Animal Control Officer and other such town leaders, I am asking that we come together as a community to provide needed relief to the abandoned pets both here (Otis Air Force Base) and in the Gulf.

The immediate needs include:

We will be collecting these items for two weeks: September 10 - September 24. The primary drop off facility will be on the DPW grounds across from the Transfer Station. A trailer/truck will be there daily for drop off (M- F) and on Saturday during regular dump hours. If it is inconvenient for you to drop your items there, please contact me and we can discuss a more feasible drop-off method. Upon the completion of this drive, the donated items will be shipped to two locations: a) Baton Rouge, Louisiana for immediate distribution to the shelters in New Orleans and b) Otis Air Force Base on the Cape where nearly 200 evacuees will be residing temporarily, many of whom have pets.

We will be fortunate enough to be receiving press from Fox25 News, NECN, Channel 5, www.norfolknet.com and local newspapers to hopefully get the word out to other Norfolk populace as well as residents from other communities who too have a heart for social responsibility and giving. Hopefully we can all take a few moments out of our busy schedules to make a difference in the lives of many. Let's aim for 95% participation. We are a caring community and it's time we band together to make a difference! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns: rodeghie@bc.edu / 508.520.1318.

Thank you all in advance for your kindness,

Aislynn Rodeghiero

9/11/2005

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