~Lt. Governor presents Orange County with its first hurricane relief check
~
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2004
CONTACT: Fonda Anderson
(727) 821-2056
WINTER PARK - Lt. Governor Toni Jennings today unveiled the Florida
Hurricane Relief Fund billboard, one of several outdoor ads in five states
donated by Viacom Outdoor. During today's unveiling, Lt. Governor Jennings
presented Orange County Chairman, Richard T. Crotty, a hurricane relief fund
check in the amount of $244,604. This is Orange County's first allocation
from the fund.
"As Florida rebuilds following this trying hurricane season, it is
comforting to know we will not be forgotten across the country," said
Lt.
Governor Jennings. "I hope these billboards and signs serve as a reminder
that Floridians are still in need of support during the recovery effort."
Viacom's donation of billboards and transit signs underscores the company's
commitment to Florida's restoration following this season's four hurricane
hits to the state. Billboards and transit signs are appearing in New York
City, Chicago, Atlanta, Columbus, Georgia and throughout the states of
Florida and New Jersey.
"We at Viacom Outdoor are pleased to do our part to help Floridians recover
from this year's horrific hurricane season," said Jodi Senese, Executive
Vice President, Marketing. "It is our hope that our donation of billboards
and bus displays in five states will heighten awareness of the Florida
Hurricane Relief Fund and keep this need in the minds of our nation's
citizens long after the news cameras are gone and the long road to recovery
begins."
Lt. Governor Jennings was joined today by Richard McHugh, General
Manager-Orlando Region, Viacom Outdoor, as well as Orlando-area
representatives from FEMA, the Small Business Administration and the State
Emergency Response Team. Also in attendance were Judith Kovisars and the
Reverend William Morrison, board members for the Florida Interfaith
Networking in Disaster (FIND) organization, which was named a Hurricane Hero
in the Governor's Points of Light awards program this month for exemplary
volunteer efforts in hurricane relief.
To date, the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund has received nearly $18 million
dollars in pledges and contributions. Recent corporate pledges and
contributions include: Humana, $300,000; Florida Power and Light, $275,000;
Aramark, Fidelity, GlaxoSmithKline, Lowe's, AG Spanos Companies and
Schering-Plough Foundation Inc, all at $100,000; Citigroup, $75,000; New
York Life Foundation, $60,000; Affiliated Computer Services, Convergys,
Fannie Mae Foundation, Wachovia and Westport Corp., all at $50,000; and
General Motors Acceptance Corporation, Starbucks, Mutual of America and
Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC all at $25,000.
The Florida Hurricane Relief Fund is designed to help make relief dollars
stretch and avoid duplications of funding. Counties selected for allocation
from the fund are determined by FEMA filings for assistance. Each county
selected is required to develop a plan for addressing needs that cannot be
met by insurance, state and federal assistance, as well as assistance from
other relief organizations. Relief organizations are required to participate
in formation of those plans, with the committees' leadership coming from
county government.
The fund is managed by nonprofit Volunteer Florida Foundation. All donations
are tax-deductible and will be used for the hurricane relief effort in Florida.
For more information, call 1-800-FL-HELP-1 or visit www.myflorida.com or
www.flahurricanefund.org. Checks, made payable to
the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, can be mailed to Volunteer Florida Foundation,
401 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. |