CBA AND CONNECTICUT BAR FOUNDATION PARTNER ON KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS

Dear Colleagues:

In the wake of the terrible disaster and devastation Hurricane Katrina has visited upon the Gulf Coast area, all of us feel a strong desire to help the victims who have suffered and continue to suffer unimaginable hardship. To that end, the Connecticut Bar Association and the Connecticut Bar Foundation are joining in a coordinated effort to solicit and collect contributions to be used to aid the ongoing relief efforts in that region.

No decision has been made as to which relief organizations will receive the donated funds, except to recognize that the many, many worthy recipients probably fall into two very general and broad categories: (i) those providing immediate and desperately needed help in the form of food, clothing, health care and housing, such as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity; and (ii) legal aid lawyers, who eventually will be required to bring to bear their expertise to help the hurricane victims put their lives back in order. Once a clearer picture emerges as to where and how charitable contributions can best be utilized, our two organizations will make decisions concerning the allocation of your contributions. In the meantime, however, we thought it important to get the collection effort underway.

We realize that many of you have already made donations to the relief agencies of your choice, and we applaud your kindness and generosity and hope that you will be able to contribute to this fund also. We know that others have been waiting for a coordinated effort from the bar before contributing, and so we are pleased now to provide that opportunity. We hope all of you will send your generous, tax deductible contributions by check made payable to “Connecticut Bar Foundation - Hurricane Relief Fund,” 31 Pratt Street, Suite 420, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-1631, as soon as possible.

The legal profession has a long and proud tradition of helping the less fortunate in our society, and surely there has seldom been a greater need to call upon that spirit, which has been the hallmark of our calling.

We thank you in advance for the support and generosity we know will be forthcoming.