September 1, 2005

Helping Katrina's victims

We are sure that you have been closely following the disaster in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama with a heavy heart. Hurricane Katrina tore at the heartland of our country, killing hundreds and displacing hundreds of thousands. The destruction and turmoil unleashed on the lives, livelihoods and homes of our fellow Americans is simply beyond description.

On behalf of the National Iranian American Council, we come to you today to ask that you pitch in and provide support for these victims as they begin rebuilding their lives. Although each of us wishes we could go down to New Orleans, Alabama or Mississippi ourselves, we know that this is not really possible.

But we can help in other ways, primarily by opening our wallets and by opening our homes.

Open Your Wallet
The American Red Cross is providing shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. They are accepting donations online and over the phone.

Online: American Red Cross: donation
Call: 800-HELP-NOW

Open Your Home
Another way that you can help is to open your home to a displaced individual or family who lost their home to Hurricane Katrina. Craigslist.com has created an online board where you can announce that you are willing to take people in. Thousands of Americans across the country are pitching in and providing relief.

We've seen the Iranian-American community rally around worthy causes many times now, and we trust that our community will again do its part today and lend a helping hand to those who have so much to rebuild.

Thank you for your generosity and caring for your fellow Americans. Our thoughts and prayers go to the survivors and victims of this disaster.

Sincerely,

The NIAC Team
Mojtaba Akbarzadeh
Ali Dabiri
Marjan Ehsassi
Shahri Estakhry
Dokhi Fassihian
Djamshid Foroughi
Ali Golchin
Sean Murphy
Mohamad Navab
Alex Patico
Trita Parsi
Nader Rastegar
& Many More