Refugees from Hurricane Katrina are starting to fill up the 80 units made available by the Chattanooga Housing Authority.

CHA officials said currently there are
approximately 50 families in Chattanooga that will be moved into one of these units.

Officials said they have just received word from Louisiana emergency
management officials that another 25 families are on their way to
Chattanooga and should be arriving this weekend.

CHA officials have been informed "to expect more families being sent
this way over the next several days."

Officials said, "When the individuals are provided a unit, there is nothing in the apartment except for the basic kitchen appliances. The families need
everything from cookware to furniture. The primary need is beds and bed linens.

"If you have anything that can help these families, the Chattanooga
Housing Authority will be accepting donations at their warehouse located
at 801 Holtzclaw Ave. The housing authority employees have
volunteered to man the warehouse over this holiday weekend.

"You can drop off donations on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

"The families literally need everything - they are all starting over from scratch. Some of the items are listed below."

Furniture - especially beds
Linens - bedding, towels, dish cloths
Dishes/cookware
Toiletries
Non-perishable food
Diapers
Children's toys
Clothing
Laundry detergent
Cleaning supplies

The money collected next Thursday at the gatehouse will be divided among
the families staying in the housing authority units via Wal-Mart gift
cards.

The United Way of Greater Chattanooga said it is anticipated Chattanooga will receive more than 3,000 Katrina refugees.

United Way said it is setting up a fund to support services locally.

United Way’s Katrina Refugees Services Fund will focus on addressing local nonprofits that are already feeling the strain of the influx of refugees that are entering the community, it was stated.

“United Way’s partner agencies, like Chattanooga Room in the Inn are already housing and providing resources to families that have yet to face their toughest struggles,” said Jessica Johnson, associate director of communications. “We wanted to give the people in our community a way to support these families’ needs while they are in our care.”

In addition to United Way’s Katrina Refugees Services Fund, United Way’s 2-1-1 is working to help coordinate the referral of needs to available services. United Way 2-1-1 is compiling a database of resources available from the hundreds of local nonprofits and churches that can be of assistance to the refugees our community is expecting.

“Anyone who is willing to provide shelter, food or other resources for these families can call United Way 2-1-1,” said Ms. Johnson. “2-1-1 is also the place to call if anyone is interested in providing volunteer service or goods to the agencies that are assisting these refugees.”

Donations to United Way of Greater Chattanooga’s Katrina Refugees Services Fund can be made by credit card at www.uwchatt.org or by mailing checks to: United Way of Greater Chattanooga, P.O. Box 4027, Chattanooga, TN 37405. Contact United Way at 211 or 265-8000.

Angie Gonzales of Hamilton County Community Services is arranging accommodations, medical care, food and other supplies for the refugees.

Among the provisions she is arranging are clothing and shoes from Chattanooga Goodwill Industries thrift stores.

“Goodwill is not a relief organization and doesn’t typically provide emergency assistance, but this is a special situation and we’re happy to do what we can to help,” said Charlie Stamps, Vice President of Operations.

Mr. Stamps said Goodwill is not currently collecting donated items specifically for hurricane victims, but people interested in helping can purchase clothing at Goodwill thrift stores that will be given to evacuees. Hours of operation and street addresses for the 11 Chattanooga-area Goodwill stores can be found online at www.goodwillchatt.org.

Those wishing to donate cash to the cause can contact the American Red Cross at (800)HELP-NOW or www.redcross.org.

People who have relocated to the Chattanooga area can arrange assistance for themselves by dialing 211 to reach United Way’s hotline, which offers contact information for a variety of service agencies in the Hamilton County area.