Dear Colleague:

As the entire nation rallies to the aid of those affected by Hurricane Katrina, Michigan is taking extraordinary efforts to coordinate a statewide response. I want to tell you about that response and what you can do to help.

First of all, I want to thank the hundreds and hundreds of state employees who have contacted my office and the offices of directors in every state agency with offers of help and support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. You have shown the same tremendous compassion for citizens across the South as you do for the citizens of Michigan every single day.

The single most important act you can take right now is to make a financial donation to one of the many relief agencies that are operating in the disaster zone. You can find a list of those agencies at www.michigan.gov. Funding is critical right now to supply bottled water, food, shelter and medicine to some half a million displaced persons in Louisiana alone. I urge you to go online and make a contribution today.

Many of you know or participate with organizations and businesses willing to donate supplies and services. In addition to the resources listed on michigan.gov, we have established a Michigan Hurricane Helpline for pledges of goods, services and other offers of help. Pledges of help will be cataloged and coordinated so that when the affected areas ask for particular assistance, the state can deliver immediately.

The Michigan Hurricane Helpline number is 1-888-535-6136. It will be staffed with State employees and volunteers every day from 7 a.m. until midnight.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging citizens nationwide to work through their state governments in order to coordinate all relief efforts and donations. To ensure an efficient and effective response from around Michigan, I have activated the state's Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The operations center will coordinate incoming offers of assistance through the helpline, information on private relief efforts, and assistance by the state of Michigan.

Please know the state is taking other steps as part of our coordinated relief effort. I have dispatched over 500 Michigan National Guard troops, and several State Police units are ready to deploy. The Department of Human Services is ensuring that housing is available for evacuees who have already arrived and who may continue to arrive in Michigan. The Department of Natural Resources is mobilizing 50 conservation officers with law enforcement capabilities and is inventorying surplus equipment such as boots and waders.

Our goal during this difficult time is to ensure we are ready to respond at a moment's notice when we are asked for supplies or equipment by the affected region and that our state is prepared to open its arms to people who need shelter. Of course, we are also continuing our work to ensure that citizens in Michigan are protected from the economic impact of the storm. To that end, www.michigan.gov will serve as your portal for up-to-date information on the relief effort and the activities of state government during this national crisis. I encourage you to go online to read more about the relief effort.

Finally, as we offer assistance to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, Michigan is also offering its prayers. I ask you join with citizens across Michigan in praying for the safety of all the evacuees and relief workers in the South.

Again, thank you for your donations, thoughts, prayers and compassion during this time of need for thousands of our fellow Americans.

Sincerely,
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor

P.S. On Friday, September 9, I am joining with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for a day-long, state-wide, on-air fundraiser that will involve both commercial and public stations. Hundreds of radio and TV stations across the state will invite Michiganders who have not yet contributed to the relief effort to do so by calling 1-800-HELP NOW. No need to wait, call today to support the relief efforts of the Red Cross.