An anonymous donor has offered a $2,000 challenge gift to the Marietta Community Foundation to help with recovery efforts in the wake of Katrina.  The gift will become a reality when $2,000 is raised from other sources.

The Marietta Community Foundation will establish a fund to receive gifts and will forward those gifts along with the names of donors to local foundations in the affected areas in the south.

Judy Atkins, Business Officer for the Foundation said that this fund will be operated similarly to the Flood Disaster Relief Fund created last year to accept funds for damage done to the Marietta area by Hurricane Ivan's aftermath.  Every dollar received will be paid out directly to benefit individuals and families in need and also to fund recovery efforts.

"The Baton Rouge Area Foundation has a fund for displaced persons that will be a likely recipient of funds collected here.  A similar fund exists at the New Orleans Foundation.  We will continue to monitor needs as the local fund grows and make disbursements in a timely fashion," said Atkins.

Local individuals, churchs, businesses and civic groups are encouraged to contribute to the fund at Marietta Community Foundation and will receive acknowledgement letters for tax deduction purposes.  Donor's names will be sent along with the contributions to the foundations and recovery efforts in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.

"There is little doubt we will receive the matching funds to get this challenge gift as we have had a few calls apart from this one wanting to know how to send money to help," said Atkins.

Contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 77, Marietta, Ohio 45750.  Checks should be made payable to Katrina Recovery Fund or to MCF with a note indicating the contribution is for the Katrina Fund.  Contributions will also be accepted at the Foundation offices in the Putnam Commons building at 121 Putnam Street.