September 6, 2005

Re:  Disaster Relief

As you have likely heard by now, CAP is responding to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.  Following are some of the primary things we are doing:

1. Operation Sharing- We are redirecting all Op. Sharing efforts to secure and deliver food, water, cleaning supplies, etc… to the victims.  We expect this effort to last for several months.  We are looking at several distribution options from partnering with various charities to working directly with churches in the area.  We have been listed as one of Kentucky’s four designated drop-off centers for material goods receipt and distribution.  Additionally, we will be placing trailers at select locations throughout central and eastern Kentucky to collect donated materials.
2. Direct Service Response- We are mobilizing as many program people as possible (employees and volunteers) to volunteer and support the efforts to feed people and help in the recovery work.   Those unable to travel will be needed to help receive and package items for delivery and distribution here at home.  This will result in the temporary closure and/or drastic reductions in many of our programs for an undetermined amount of time (eight weeks minimum).  Finally, we are also considering utilizing community volunteers for work at home and travel south. 
3. Temporary Housing of Evacuees- We are opening all available CAP facilities for temporary housing.  Thus far, camps AJ and Shawnee and our Mt. Vernon Community Center have been listed on the Disaster Management database, and we are waiting for a call.  I also expect several other organizations in the area will be hosting evacuees, and we will certainly need to work with them when possible as well. 

For CAP to be successful in this endeavor, each and every staff person needs to be flexible and understanding.  This will be a very challenging learning experience for CAP, yet one that promises to be an absolute blessing for us, as well as for those we seek to serve.  Please join me in praying that our organization makes a huge difference in the lives of scores of people in need.

On a more personal note, I must say that every one of us has the opportunity to “make a difference.”  Following are some ideas to pray about:

1.       Volunteer to travel on a direct service trip

2.       Engage your church in a giving campaign to help cover CAP’s expenses (i.e. CAP can secure and deliver a load of supplies for approximately $2500)

3.       Ask your church to financially sponsor CAP’s direct service trips

4.       Invite churches and civic organizations to collect and donate supplies through CAP

5.       Invite your friends to “make a difference” in some way

Re:  Financial Restraint

Unfortunately, we do expect many of our donors to redirect their normal gifts to the disaster victims.  It is very difficult to forecast the exact financial impact this will have on CAP.  However, estimations suggest that our annual revenue could easily be reduced by several million dollars.  This means that we must exercise extreme financial restraint over the next several months.  Balancing our relief efforts with financial restraint will not be an easy task.  We should avoid any unnecessary expenses, travel, etc… while reapplying resources as best we can to help the disaster victims.  Also, I would like to ask all management staff to evaluate ongoing projects to determine if they can be postponed, rescheduled, or cancelled.  Projects involving major financial commitments or expenditures already underway should be discussed with CAP officers prior to postponement or cancellation.  Finally, CAP’s financial condition should also be an item of prayer for each of us.