Just three short weeks ago, Hurricane Isaac pummeled the Gulf Coast, causing widespread flooding, downed trees and other wind- and water-related damage. Although storm news is no longer front-page news, many of the federal employees living in the storm’s path are still turning to FEEA for help with their recovery efforts.
Employees like Larry, who experience significant damage to his property. Due to the extreme claims losses incurred by insurance companies after Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav, Larry, like many others in the Gulf, has a much higher insurance deductible than before, so most of the recovery cost sits squarely on the shoulders of homeowners. Clearing debris and repairing their homes has been a financial nightmare for many, so even a small amount of aid to help with things like paying a utility bill has made a difference.
FEEA has provided over $70,000 in immediate aid to more than 470 federal families impacted by the storm, with new applications still arriving daily. Employees from the VA, USDA, State Department, SSA, USPS, DHS, DOD, DOI, IRS, Commerce, Justice, EEOC, and the Army, Navy and Air Force have already been helped, along with retirees who are NARFE members. Most aid has been in the form of small grants because need has been 25 times greater than donations.
In these tough economic times, FEEA understands that feds whose paychecks haven’t grown for the past two years are feeling squeezed by everyday expenses and demoralized by continued political attacks on their agencies. But this is what makes it all the more important for feds to reach out and help each other in times of need. Unfortunately, the general public is just not going to do it, so we must stand together – Feds Helping Feds – as part of FEEA.
Donations are urgently needed to ensure all who qualify for assistance in the wake of this disaster and those to come will receive it. Contributions can be made through the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) by pledging to FEEA CFC #11185. Donations may also be made via credit card by visiting www.feea.org/give. Donations via check made out to “FEEA” may be sent to: FEEA Headquarters, 3333 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80227.
