Dear PADA Members,

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has truly affected so many of us whether our connection is through family and friends and just pure disbelief in this terrible tragedy.  While many of you have been involved in making contributions and donations to the recovery and restoration of these devastated areas, Pennsylvania Dietetic Association members have been searching for a way to reach out to our colleagues.  Many of you have followed as we have posted our communications on the listserve with the contacts that a number of us have with other ADA members in the Gulf Coast states. From this information we have come to learn that that many ADA members literally have nothing as we have seen with others on newscasts.  While this type of devastation that has lasted for almost three weeks now is hard to image, it is a reality for 2100 ADA members.

Marilyn Howell stepped forward early to organize sending the first round of “Starting Over” packages to Mississippi to help dietetic practitioners get started with tools for employment. The ADA website has a section devoted to Hurricane Katrina and job information will soon be available. Another need is for people without homes who will be provided with temporary housing. They will need basic household items such as kitchen items, linens or towels.  Remember, in all areas affected by the hurricane there are limited resources and supplies including gasoline and electric. We have been advised that the recovery process is slow so we are using the time that we have to organize our donation process.  So far we have identified contact persons who will be supplying us will lists of their members needs. The PADA board of directors will be meeting next week and will decide how to best coordinate the efforts of our members.

Continue to look for updated messages on our website and read the listserve messages pertaining to “Katrina Assistance”.

Please keep everyone affected by Katrina in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Cynthia L. Burke, MS, RD, FADA, LDN

President, Pennsylvania Dietetic Association