The St. Landry-Evangeline United Way is joining with other area United Ways to establish a local disaster fund to benefit the victims of Hurricane Isaac.
Ginger LeCompte, the United Way's executive director, said there are two ways to give.
The first is the Greater Acadiana United Way Disaster Fund.
She said that fund was create a few years ago as a way for area United Ways to work together to benefit this area with disasters that no one agency could do alone.
"Our goal was to leverage resources and make the greatest impact in long-term recovery efforts for citizens exclusively living in Acadia, Assumption, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, Lafourche, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes," LeCompte said.
While this area was spared the worst of Isaac's wrath, there are still many families taking in displaced family members and friends from the coastal parishes who need assistance.
She said donations to that fund will stay in this area to help.
LeCompte said the second fund, the United Ways of the Gulf Coast Fund, was launched through the efforts and at the request of the gulf coast United Ways during the BP oil spill.
"In light of the destruction by Isaac, it has now been reactivated," LeCompte said.
While the storm has passed, she said the devastate remains. "They are looking for volunteers, for blue tarps, there is a need for people to help with home repairs. There is still a great need," LeCompte said.
She said that fund is being administered by the New Orleans United Way and designed to benefit hard hit parishes such as Plaquemine, St. John the Baptist and others.
"My sister-in-law lost everything and she lives in Tangipahoa Parish. The devastation was widespread," LeCompte said.
Financial donations to either fund can be made by going online at www.uwsle.org and clicking the hurricane image on the home page, which will then link you to various donor options.
"Donors can also call us at (337) 942-7815 or deliver their donations to our office at 311 W. Vine St. in Opelousas," LeCompte said.
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