Queens residents can assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi by making cash donations to voluntary relief organizations, state Senator Serphin R. Maltese (R-Glendale) announced.

“The residents of Queens and New York City know from experience how important it is to pull together in the wake of devastating tragedy,”

Maltese said. “We also know the support of our fellow Americans is crucial. While we continue to keep the thousands affected by Hurricane Katrina in our thoughts and prayers, the best way for us to help is by making donations to the many organizations who already have relief efforts underway.”

According to the federal government, cash donations are the most helpful to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Gulf Coast states because it allows volunteer agencies to issue cash vouchers to victims so they can meet their needs. In addition, cash donations allow agencies to avoid the labor -intensive need to store, sort, pack and distribute donated goods, as well as the high costs of shipping donated goods by air or sea.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is recommending that donations be made to the following volunteer agencies in the name of hurricane relief:

American Red Cross 1-800-HELP NOW (435-7669)/www.redcross.org

Americans Second Harvest 1-800-344-8070/www.secondharvest.org

Adventist Community Services 1-800-381-7171

B’nai B’rith International www.bnaibrith.org

Catholic Charities, USA 1-800-919-9338

Christian Disaster Response 941-956-5183 or 941-551-9554

Christian Reformed World Relief Committee 1-800-848-5818

Church World Service 1-800-297-1516

Convoy of Hope 417-823-8998

Corporation for National & Community Service Disaster Relief

(202) 606-6718

Lutheran Disaster Response 800-638-3522

Mennonite Disaster Service 717-859-2210

Nazarene Disaster Response 888-256-5886

Operation Blessing 1-800-436-6348/www.ob.org

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 800-872-3283

Salvation Army 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)

Southern Baptist Convention--Disaster Relief 1-800-462-8657, ext. 6440

United Jewish Communities www.ujc.org

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) 1-800-554-8583

For more information on how to assist in the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, visit Maltese’s Web site, www.senatorserfmaltese.com.