ARA Strives to Aid Katrina Victims

September 8, 2005 — The American Rental Association announced it has formed a relief fund for the rental stores impacted by Hurricane Katrina to connect those in the industry with resources, such as equipment, housing, jobs, or rental business assistance, with those in need. ARA will accept contributions from the industry to assist peers who have suffered loss or damage of their rental businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida as a result of the hurricane. These funds will be directed to both immediate and long-term needs, based upon the quantity of dollars that are raised from the rental industry.

 

Many affected rental stores will not be able to rely on insurance proceeds and the availability of additional financial resources will be essential to for these stores to return to business. These funds will be directed at both immediate and long-term needs. Additionally, ARA has established a website for those in need of resources or those offering support and contributions to post requests or job/housing/relocation availabilities. For more information on how you can help, visit www.ararental.org/ReliefFund. If you have resources to contribute to the relief effort or to fellow members in the rental industry, you can post information on the site. If you are a rental store owner or rental store employee in or near the area of damage and have needs, you can post those requests as well. Those who do not have Internet access can call the ARA at (800) 334-2177 and an ARA staff member will post your information or find information on the database to assist you. Or to or send a check to ARA directly, make donations payable to: ARA Rental Industry Relief Fund, 1900 19th Street, Moline, IL 61265.