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Hurricane Michael smashed into the Florida Panhandle and left a trail of destruction along the East Coast. Join the PCMA Education Foundation to help your colleagues in the events industry who have been affected by the storm.
As the images of debris and destruction from Hurricane Michael come into focus, it’s clear that there’s a huge need to help in the recovery effort in the affected areas, from the Florida Panhandle to the Carolinas. The PCMA Education Foundation is working to help event professionals who live and work in those communities and whose lives will be changed from the catastrophe. On Friday, Oct. 12, the organization launched a new drive for its Industry Relief Fund to raise donations for individuals in need.
“We want to do everything in our power to send assistance directly to the members of our community who will need help restoring their lives after the storm,” Meredith Rollins, executive director, PCMA Education Foundation, said. “We are in touch with local DMOs and ready to act.”
For event professionals who live in the U.S., donating can be done via smartphone. Simply text 41444 with prefix “RELIEFFUND,” the dollar amount, your first name and last name — e.g., RELIEFFUND 25 Jane Doe. Then, confirm the payment processing via a link sent to your phone.
Offering Signs of Hope After the Storm
The Industry Relief Fund already has been collecting donations for event professionals who were impacted by Hurricane Florence in mid-September. It’s a tradition of goodwill that started during last year’s horrific storm season. When Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria caused catastrophic damage, the organization contributed nearly $24,000 to individuals in need in the industry.
“In 2017, more than 80 members of the PCMA community contributed financial assistance for disaster recovery efforts,” said Stacey Shafer, senior director of operations, PCMA Education Foundation. “We aim to continue to make a difference in the lives of our colleagues who need help. We are committed to sending one-hundred percent of the funds raised to those affected.”
Visit the Industry Relief Fund to be part of the difference-making movement.
Photo: Aerial views of Mexico Beach, Fla., before (right) and after Hurricane Michael made landfall nearby on Oct. 10. (NOAA photo)
Related: In Hurricane Florence’s Path, Group Chooses to Make Event Virtual