From the current VFW newsletter:

When the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) learned of the havoc and destruction caused by hurricane Katrina, $230,000 was immediately sent to the VFW Departments of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The emergency relief will mainly benefit devastated VFW and Ladies Auxiliary members in these hard-hit states. But the need is staggering.

VFW is calling on all Americans to “band together” for hurricane victims. To donate to VFW’s Hurricane Relief Fund please click here (https://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=what.levelc&cid=2774&tok=1).

In the words of newly elected VFW Commander-in-Chief, James R. Mueller, “It is critical that we respond immediately. Tomorrow is too late.” Mueller is asking the 9,000 VFW Posts worldwide to pledge at least $1 per member from the Post relief fund toward this immediate relief effort.

In addition to monetary aid, VFW Posts near affected areas are serving as temporary shelters for families seeking refuge in Katrina’s wake. For example, VFW Post #3619 in DeRidder, LA is currently sheltering more than 150 people. In the true spirit of the VFW’s AMERICA BANDS TOGETHER, local businesses are also uniting to provide clothing, food and supplies.

In late-breaking news, a VFW Headquarters Response Team is being dispatched to the area to survey current needs, help administer immediate relief as well as to assess – and report on – additional needs as they unfold. VFW Leadership will be broadcasting the VFW National Defense Radio Hour live from the flood-ravaged region on Monday, September 12, 3:00-4:00 p.m. CST. Tune in online at http://www.1510.com.

Please visit http://www.vfw.org frequently in the weeks ahead for more on the VFW’s work to help veterans and their families suffering from the aftermath of this horrible catastrophe.

Just in case you haven’t contributed somewhere yet…ya know…and were thinkin’ about it.