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Hurricane Katrina Update:
APWU Donates $60,000 to Postal Employees Relief Fund
APWU Web News Article #45-05, Sept. 21, 2005
The APWU National Executive Board approved a $60,000 contribution to the Postal Employees Relief Fund (PERF), union President William Burrus has announced. “We are pleased to make this donation on behalf of our members, who have responded to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation with an outpouring of offers of support.”
The fund, which was established in 1990 by postal unions, management associations, and the USPS, is a charitable organization that provides financial assistance to postal employees and retirees whose homes and property have been substantially damaged by natural disasters and home fires.
“PERF had accumulated approximately $6 million before Hurricane Katrina hit,” Burrus said, “but with 6,000 postal employees in areas affected by the storm, it is expected that the funds will be quickly exhausted.
“For that reason, we encourage individuals to contribute to PERF as well,” he said. Contributions can be made via credit card on the fund’s Web site, www.postalrelief.com, and checks can be mailed to: Postal Employees Relief Fund, PO Box 34422, Washington, DC 20043-4422.
“Local and state organizations also can donate to PERF from their treasury, providing all constitutional provisions are adhered to,” he said.
As of Sept. 19, PERF had received contributions and pledges of approximately $630,000.
The Combined Federal Campaign, which takes place from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, accepts donations to PERF, under designation #9891.
“The union is also discussing with USPS plans to temporarily and permanently assign workers who were displaced by the hurricane,” the union president said. “As soon as a formal agreement is reached, we will notify union members.”
