I posted something in the hangout - but thought it would get a lot of eyeballs in the GARM as well. Houston Rockets Team Up With KPRC Local 2 and Local Agencies for Hurricane Katrina Relief Rockets, Comets and Aeros Players and Staff Members to Coordinate Three-Day HopeFest for Displaced Residents of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi HOUSTON – The Houston Rockets today announced plans to partner with Houston television station KPRC Local 2 and a number of local agencies for a benefit event to assist displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina. HopeFest will feature a three-day format designed to collect and distribute donation items as well as provide basic human services to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama residents who have taken shelter in Houston. The event will begin on Tuesday, September 6 with an all-day donation drive scheduled from 7:00a.m.-9:00p.m.at Toyota Center The following two days will be devoted to distributing donated items and providing basic human services including job skills training, job placement, housing assistance, medical services, counseling and school registration. “This unprecedented natural disaster has affected our entire country,” said Rockets/Comets Owner Leslie Alexander. “This is a time for our community to rise to this challenge and help our neighbors move forward with their lives. We’re trying to coordinate this event so we can really make a meaningful impact on the lives of others. We are focusing our efforts not only on providing immediate assistance, but also on long-term solutions to help with job training, employment opportunities and housing assistance.” In addition to the donation and distribution activities, Rockets players and Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy will participate in a variety of events to assist in fundraising efforts. Players scheduled to participate include: Tracy McGrady, David Wesley, Mike James, Bob Sura, Jon Barry, Luther Head and Derek Anderson. In addition, a Tundra Zone children’s play area will be available during the event as well. For more information and ways to donate, please visit www.toyotacentertix.com (Donations will be accepted later today) If you would like to contact us with job leads or any other assistance please do so at the following addrress: hopefest@rocketball.com Following is a detailed event breakdown: Tuesday, Sept. 6 (7AM-9PM)—Toyota Center to serve as a collection donation station. Houston residents will have the opportunity to drop off donation items all day beginning from 7-:00a.m.-9:00p.m. Rockets players and staff will be on hand to assist with donation collection, greet Houston residents dropping off donation supplies (preferred donation items list included on following page) and will help man a telephone bank to secure financial pledges. Wednesday, Sept. 7 (7AM-9PM) and Thursday, Sept. 8 (7AM-3PM)—Representatives from the Houston Rockets, Comets, local human services agencies including The United Way and Red Cross, as well as other local assistance groups will be on hand to assist with job skills training, job placement, housing assistance, medical services and the distribution of the donated goods. LIST OR RECOMMENDED DONATION ITEMS: Baby Formula Diapers Sanitary Wipes Peanut Butter Bread Canned Vegetables Soups Raman Noodles Can Openers Hot Plates Bottled Water Pillows Bedding Stuffed Animals Toys School Supplies Clothes Footwear hopefest@rocketball.com Here's the link
What I particularly like about this is helping with long-term solutions. I work in the careers industry, so assisting with job placement is definitely something that will be needed.
Absolutely. I met a family yesterday that had money for the moment, but they knew they'd be here a while and needed to find an apartment and jobs. The woman's mother was dependent upon Social Security checks so they had to find the SS Administration in Houston to help her and the woman and her husband were both looking for jobs so that they could pay the bills while they were stuck here.
Jeff, I'm a Nationally Certified Resume Writer and work with people every day in developing career documents and seeking employment. Do you know if they need volunteers to help with that? If you don't know, that's cool- it's just that I have to make a trip to Houston next week and could definitely put aside time in my schedule to help.
i don't know what specific skills they're looking for - but as you are a career development professional - you might email the rockets to ask
Oh, yes, already did that- thanks for the link, though. I might have used a different email than this one.
