Central Indiana Rotarians are quickly responding to the havoc caused by Hurricane Katrina. Here are some specific examples as of Friday, September 2, 2005:

Marion North Rotary Club President-elect Craig Persinger offered to personally match gifts up to a total of $100 for relief help

Hartford Rotary Club President Jessie Melander offered help transporting goods to the affected areas, as members of her club have a trucking firm which moved hay and animal feed to affected farms in the South during a similar storm several years ago

Portland Rotary Club President Vickie Tague offered to arrange home hospitality for those displaced by the hurricane

Greenfield Rotary Club PDG Karin Blue organized a spontaneous campaign among club members, raising over $1,800 to be channeled through Rotarians in Houston to help displaced New Orleans residents.

Muncie Sunrise Rotary Club President Caryl Kelley Smith was asking her board today (9/2) for recommendations on how to help.

Carmel Rotary Club President Barry Ginder and his board voted to contribute the entire net proceeds from the club's booth at the Carmel Farmers Market this summer (an estimated $3,000) to hurricane relief.

Kokomo Early Rotary Club President Chad Greer and his board decided on 9/1 to encourage members to contribute directly to the Red Cross.

Rotary Clubs in central Indiana are joined with clubs in Mississippi, Louisiana and other states through membership in the Rotary Heart of America zone. Under the zone leadership of Rotary International Director Robert A. Stuart Jr., collective action by clubs in this zone is being coordinated. For up-to-date information, see www.rizones29-30.net