Wednesday, August 17, 2016
Contact: Jennifer Raggio
337-780-8794
jennifer.raggio@unitedwayofacadiana.org
VOAD centralizes flood disaster recovery efforts
Organizations, groups asked to join VOAD to reduce duplication, streamline relief, recovery efforts
Lafayette, LA – Organizations or groups helping with flood disaster recovery and relief efforts are invited to join Acadiana Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD).
Acadiana VOAD is a network that collaborates and communicates to reduce duplication of services in times of disaster response.
“Acadiana VOAD is an incredible network that collaborates and communicates to reduce duplication of services and streamline efforts,” said Jason Huffman, United Way of Acadiana’s VP of Organizational and Impact Strategies. “It’s important that we all work together so that efforts are not diluted and the public has a centralized avenue in which to help. This network has been in existence for over two decades and worked well during past disasters such as the 2012 Carencro flooding and Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. We welcome any non-profit organization, government agency, civic organization or church group to join so that we can collaboratively serve those affected as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
Acadiana VOAD met at Noon Aug. 15 and will have its next meeting Friday, Aug. 19 at 9 a.m. in the auditorium at Lafayette Consolidated Government located at 705 West University Ave. in Lafayette. Minutes from the meeting are posted at www.unitedwayofacadiana.org/flood2016.
Additionally, organizations or businesses who are staged as supply and goods drop-off locations are urged to attend Friday’s meeting.
Members of Acadiana VOAD and the downloadable membership application form are listed at www.unitedwayofacadiana.org/essentials. Organizations include non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, government agencies and civic groups from the Acadiana region.
For more information, contact Jason Huffman, United Way of Acadiana VP of Organizational and Impact Strategies, at 706-1202 or Margaret Trahan, United Way of Acadiana President and CEO at 337-706-1232.
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As the area’s leading community solutions provider, United Way invests in and activates the resources to make the greatest possible impact in our community. United Way of Acadiana is independent, separately incorporated, and governed by local volunteers. United Ways bring people together to focus on the most important needs in the community – building partnerships, forging consensus and leveraging resources to make a measurable difference. For more information about United Way of Acadiana, visit www.unitedwayofacadiana.org.