Helping flood victims

Araya Hope Relief Foundation was started by two women interested in helping the local flood victims. We have already successfully accomplished a flood rummage where the local community donated items and were distributed rummage sale style to the flood victims free of charge.

We are attempting to provide assistance in any way we can through utilizing resources within our local community. Some of these include:

1. Helping residents fill out SBA applications. If I can get a group of at least 10 people, I can get a SBA representative here to assist them.

2. Helping residents register with FEMA. It is very important to register with FEMA even if you think you don't qualify because you just might! The deadline is August 13, 2008.

3. FEMA is planning to have mold/mildew cleaning personnel in the area in the very near future. This service is free to disabled, seniors, and low income. I need to get a small group of people together in order to schedule this.

4. Together with our local resources and upon popular demand by the flood victims, we are setting up a volunteer cleaning service day to help residents scrub and sanitize their basements.

5. We are working with Sears Commercial division to offer appliances and other needs at a discount to the flood victims.

6. We have partnered with Holy Communion Lutheran Church to utilize their non-profit status to be able to provide receipts for tax deductible donations and other amenities.

7. We are planning and organizing two benefits in the coming months:

a. Araya Hope Tournament of Champions is scheduled for Saturday, August 23, 2008 at Hiawatha Bar & Grill beginning at 1:00 p.m. The event will consist of several tournaments (darts, pool, horseshoes, golf, dartball, and washers), food, prizes, raffles, silent auction, and more! Tickets are $10 per person in advance and can be purchased at the Hiawatha or through Araya Hope Relief Foundation.

b. Araya Hope Food and Wine Tasting Extravaganza is tentatively scheduled for October 2008. The evening will consist of some of Racine's best restaurants demonstrating their finest cuisine, wine sampling, a silent auction, live musical entertainment, raffles, and more! More details will be available at a later time.

8. We are drafting a newsletter packed full of this information in more detail for the flood victims, but need your help. Please get the residents in touch with our organization so we can get this information out to them ASAP!

9. We are in the process of designing our website and could use assistance if anyone is interested in volunteering their time.

If you or anyone you know is interested in anything we have to offer or interested in volunteering/donating, please call and leave a detailed message on our voicemail service at 262-995-7535 or email us at arayahoperacine@gmail.org.

Thank you for caring Racine!

Araya Hope Relief Foundation is providing "A Ray of Hope" to Racine County residents affected by natural disaster.