Katrina Christmas

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina affected us all here at Buffini & Company. We knew something needed to be done to help alleviate the burden of the families involved. Brian had the great idea to organize a Christmas Party for the children affected by Katrina, and share our plan with ClubNet Members and their clients. The Katrina Christmas event was announced in the December CAP item. This CAP was a warm, uplifting piece about how our ClubNet Members were getting involved with the Gulf Coast disaster.

We were thrilled when Children's Network International in Los Angeles, CA, joined forces with our cause. The nonprofit group had already been to LA and MS with 5 semi-trucks full of supplies for Hurricane Katrina evacuees. Calls from ClubNet Members asking what they could do to help with our efforts in the Gulf Coast region began rolling in. One family, Joyle, Jack and Ryan Egle, stepped up and offered to spearhead the logistics of the Katrina Christmas Parties. The family had lived in New Orleans and had many contacts in the area.

Jack Egle organized the parties from his home in Washington, DC, while Christina Wiersema, Corporate Giving Coordinator at Buffini & Company, was on the other coast coordinating the effort with Children's Network International. Together, they were able to send 2,200 toys to two separate events. Robert Freeman, Director of Communication at Children's Network International, noted, "It has been a privilege to work with the staff of Buffini & Company in the provision of a Christmas party on behalf of the children in Louisiana who suffered through Hurricane Katrina. I am impressed by Buffini & Company's joyful professionalism; it is evident that they recognize that personal and professional success is incomplete without giving something back to help the lives of the less fortunate."

The first Katrina Christmas party was held at the first elementary school to open in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. There were over 400 joyful children who attended the party. The following day, another event was set up at the FEMA trailer village in Baker, LA. Jack and Ryan Egle rallied their friends and family from all over the area to come and help them with the toy distribution.

The smiles on the children's faces were the best possible memory to have from the Katrina Christmas Fund. The volunteer group had a wonderful time, filled with laughter, hugs and a sense of pride that they were associated with such a wonderful cause and company.

Katrina Fund Results:

As of December 31, 2005 the Katrina Fund has received $36,000 in donations from ClubNet members and their clients. With the Buffini & Company match, the total fund has reached $72,000 and was divided equally between The National Association of Realtors Hurricane Relief Fund and Rebuilding Together.

Hurricane Katrina brought devastation to hundreds of thousands of people along the Gulf Coast. It was one of the worst natural disasters in our lifetime, and those who were affected by this tragedy continue to suffer. Fortunately, when Mother Nature is at her worst, the human spirit is at its best.

Providence Systems Foundation "Katrina Fund" placed a high priority on funding organizations that were able to quickly serve those in need. We have selected three avenues for providing relief:

The National Association of Realtors® Foundation has created the Mississippi Realtor Hurricane Relief Fund specifically designed to:

  • Assist victims who lack adequate insurance coverage
  • Assist those who cannot make their mortgage payments
  • Help cover insurance deductions
  • Provide temporary housing expenses and financial relief

Rebuilding Together is a national organization whose mission is to serve:

  • Low-income homeowners
  • The elderly
  • Disabled and families with children to rehabilitate their homes.

ClubNet Member, Colonel Dan Bogojevich, has coordinated emergency shipments of water and non-perishable food items to areas of immediate need. He has also been instrumental in heading up our Hands of Hope project.