Katrina: Red Cross establishes 15 relief donation centers
By Eagle staff
September 7, 2005

Deborah Horvath, executive director of the American Red Cross of Collier County, announced the establishment of 15 Hurricane Katrina relief donation centers in Southwest Florida. Located in Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers, the centers will accept donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. All donations will be designated to support Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

" The floodwaters in New Orleans are still rising and over 1 million people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama are suddenly homeless," Horvath said." The extent of the devastation is beyond comprehension. Now the survivors are faced with the task of healing deep emotional scars, caring for the injured and rebuilding their communities. At the same time, there is a desperate need for the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter. These people will be in need of support for the foreseeable future." The donation centers are located at the offices of The Lutgert Companies, Premier Properties of Southwest Florida Inc.
and Lutgert Smith Lesher Insurance. Each donation center will accept checks payable to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. Donors are asked to write "Hurricane Katrina" on the memo line of their checks. No cash or credit card payments will be accepted.

"Given the magnitude of this disaster, donations of any size are certainly welcomed and appreciated," Horvath said." Having these donation centers in place will make it easier and more convenient for individuals and businesses to drop their donations off closer to home." The donation center locations on Marco Island are:
— Premier Properties, 936 N. Collier Blvd.: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday.
— Lutgert Smith Lesher Insurance, 601 Elkcam Circle, No. C1: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Copyright 2005, Naples Daily News. All Rights Reserved.