News Release

Nation's Largest Educators Organization Pledges
to Raise $1 Million For Students, Teachers
and School Employees Affected by Hurricane Katrina

(WASHINGTON) -- The National Education Association, America's largest education organization and union, announced today that it will raise $1 million to go directly to students, teachers and school employees affected by Hurricane Katrina.

"America's teachers and school employees are a generous group of people, and we are setting up this fundraising effort to directly connect those who want to give with the students, teachers and school employees who need help," NEA President Reg Weaver said.

On the NEA's Web site, you can find out the latest on how Katrina is affecting educators and children nationwide -- and what you can do to help. Bulletin boards on the site allow NEA members to exchange information, resources and aid and starting on September 9, schools can sign up to adopt a school in need.

In addition to the bulletin board, the NEA will have a toll-free number (1-866-247-2239) for donations and will be accepting credit card donations by the end of the week on its Web site. Those who want to contribute by check can do so by writing it to: NEA HIN Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and sending it to the NEA HIN Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, Suite 216, 1201 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036. All of the money raised will go directly to those in need.

NEA's other hurricane relief efforts include:

• Deploying staff to states that were impacted by the hurricane, as well as states with large numbers of displaced families to help with recovery, relief and rebuilding efforts for children, teachers, school employees and parents.

• Working with business partners to develop joint relief projects to benefit schools in need of rebuilding and schools taking in displaced students.

• Advocating for flexibility from the federal government in addressing the issues that arise from the rapidly changing shifts in school populations. Letters on this issue were sent to Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and members of Congress this week.

September 7, 2005

For More Information Contact:

Denise Cardinal, NEA Public Relations, (202) 822-7239
Andy Linebaugh, NEA Public Relations, (202) 822-7200

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, and students preparing to become teachers.