Open Heart, Open Home

Pensacola, having been hit by two hurricanes in the last year, has a special place in its heart for the 1,000 evacuees in its midst from points west. Cat Country 98.7 has again gone into action to meet the community need:

Here is the latest on our Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and theprogram(s) that we have put in place:

Operation Open Heart/Open Home (a program through Cat Country Cares) is designed to be a clearing house to match those people who are refugees from Hurricane Katrina, "stranded" in Cat Country awaiting news as to when theycan go home, and those individuals in our community who are willing to opentheir homes to those in this time of crisis.

A hotline has been established for both those in need and those willing to give assistance. Joe Rainey, who may be best known for his extensive fundraising efforts including Relay for Life, has volunteered to oversee Operation Open Heart/Open Home. The hotline numbers to register, for either assistance, or help, are850-474-8718 or 850-474-8626.

Diane Hawkins from the American Red Cross willbe referring refugees to Operation Open Heart/Open Home as well.

Operation Open Heart/Open Home is only for those willing to offer assistance for no charge. IT IS NOT A MEANS TO PROMOTE RENTAL PROPERTY, HOTELS, OR RESIDENTIAL SALES.

Please make this clear if you suspect that someone may beusing our operation for personal gain or profit. (They can always contact the Cat Country sales department for that!)

The information that is given to Operation Open Heart/Open Home will be confidential. If you receive calls from listeners who want to help, please refer them to these numbers. They will then be "matched up" with a Katrina "refugee orfamily".

Cat Country will be out and about in high-profile areas of the city (malls, shopping centers, etc.) through out the rest of the week, taking donations for the American Red Cross.

Listen toCat Country for details of locations, dates and times. Thank you!

JJ Waters,
Cat Country 98.7
WYCT-FM, WNRP-AM
Pensacola, FL - 850-494-2800
jwaters@catcountry987.com

Note: this is the only Mobile Bay radio station which was able to remain on the air for the entire onslaught of Hurricane Ivan last October. A&O is so proud of their achievements!