WILLIAMS TO OPEN DISTRICT OFFICES FOR KATRINA COLLECTION

 HARRISBURG, SEPT. 7 – As a convenience to her constituents in the 17^th Senatorial District, state Sen. Connie Williams has arranged for both of her district offices to be collection points for the Salvation Army’s clothing drive for Hurricane Katrina refugees.

 “It can be difficult to watch the media accounts of the horror that was visited on the Gulf states from Hurricane Katrina,” Williams said. “Families have been torn apart, people have lost their homes and many will not be able to return to life as they had known it for a long, long time.

 “As the men, women and children from the hurricane-ravaged state begin moving from temporary shelters to different parts of the country, there is a great need for assistance in the form of everyday items, especially clothing, toiletries and cosmetics. Just stop to think about your usual morning routine and what you need – these are among the many items that the people who survived Hurricane Katrina no longer have.”

 The Salvation Army is asking for donations of new and used clothing items and shoes for men, women, children and babies, as well as pillows, new toys, toiletries and cosmetics. For sanitary reasons, only new toys, toiletries and cosmetics will be accepted.

 Everything that is collected in the Senator’s offices will be delivered to the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is collecting new items to be delivered immediately to Hurricane Katrina evacuees that will be housed in Philadelphia facilities. Used items will be stored in a warehouse to be given out free of charge to evacuees in the coming months.

 Items can be dropped off during normal office hours, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at either of Williams’ offices – 700 S. Henderson Road, Suite 100A, King of Prussia and Manoa Shopping Center, Suite 39, 1305 West Chester Pike, Havertown. Donations will be accepted until Sept. 30^th.

 “The items that people donate will mean a great deal to the evacuees who will be arriving in the Philadelphia area,” Williams said. “It will be the first step toward returning to a more normal life, as the huge task of cleaning up begins.”