WHO ELSE IS DOING THIS FOR PARENT GROUPS?

More Than $85,000 Awarded to Hurricane-Affected PTAs—Nearly 25,000 students in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas to benefit from National PTA grants

The National Parent Teacher Association awarded $89,230 in grants to PTAs and schools in six states affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. An estimated 24,900 students will benefit from the grants that have been awarded to PTAs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

National PTA's Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Disaster Relief Grants were awarded to hurricane-affected PTAs to fund educational activities and to purchase needed equipment or resources—from computers and school supplies for displaced children to desks and library books for damaged schools. The grants are designed to support PTAs in school communities that suffered tremendous physical damage from the storms, as well as to assist PTAs that are generously meeting the needs of displaced children in their communities.

"Everything we do is for children. Their safety, wellness, and education have always been top priorities," said Anna Weselak, president of National PTA. "We hope the grants will help rebuild and revitalize hurricane-affected schools and PTAs so that children can return to school and focus on learning and on building their dreams for the future."

Following the destruction of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, National PTA launched an online Adopt-a-PTA program. Adopt-a-PTA allowed PTA units from across the country to adopt units in disaster-stricken areas and assist units that absorbed displaced students. National PTA's website also featured a disaster relief information center and a special bulletin board that allowed PTAs to share ideas and stay connected.