PPAI Establishes Recovery Plan for Members Hurt by Katrina

The Promotional Products Association International has set in motion plans to aid members who have lost their homes or businesses as Hurricane Katrina barreled across the Gulf Coast.

The establishment of the Promotional Products Business Recovery Plan will direct dollars, goods and services to distributors and suppliers whose businesses have been disrupted by the storm. These businesses will receive the critical resources needed to get back on their feet, PPAI said.

The aid will include financial contributions, office furniture and products, computer equipment, software and services, telecommunications products and services, product catalogs, sample products, employment assistance, office space, warehouse space, manufacturing capacity and other goods and services.

"There is still much uncertainty of what businesses have been affected and to what extent," said Steve Slagle, PPAI's president and CEO, in a statement.

Bill Prickett, a spokesperson for PPAI, said that 10 member companies had been identified that had suffered damage and that many others were without power and phones.

The association also encouraged its 28 regional associations to join the effort.

The Sunbelt Promotional Products Association (SPPA), which includes the hardest hit states of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana, will provide communications with the companies in need.

"We're trying to do everything we can to help our members get their lives back in order," said Tobin James, SPPA president, in a statement. "We owe it to our members to make sure we do all in our power to help them get back on their feet."

The SAAGNY Foundation, Inc., a public charity affiliated with the Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York (SAAGNY) will be the conduit for all financial contributions and for contributions of goods and services.

Those interested in donating money, products or services or those in need can contact PPAI via e-mail at ppaid@ppa.org or call 972-252-0404.