PPAI Offers Disaster Relief To Members Impacted By Hurricane Irene

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, in conjunction with the Regional Association Council (RAC), is offering disaster relief to assist PPAI members seriously affected by the impact of Hurricane Irene in the form of the Promotional Products Disaster Recovery Foundation Business Recovery Fund.

"PPAI stands ready to help members who are affected by the hurricane," said Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. "PPAI sends out a heartfelt message of support, and as always we are here to support our members through good times and bad, and to help them manage the impact of the hurricane on their businesses."

Affected members are encouraged to contact PPAI at pr@ppai.org or 888-I-AM-PPAI (888-426-7724) for assistance with specific needs to re-start their business, to update their contact information, with questions, or to let PPAI know how they are doing.

"To our East Coast Promotional Products Association International friends, be safe and well," said Jeff Thomas, MAS, chair of the PPDRF's Business Recovery Fund Board of Directors. "The Promotional Products Disaster Recovery Foundation Business Recovery Fund is here to help and assist if you are affected by hurricane Irene."

PPAI asks for the industry's help in the following areas:

• Identification of affected members and their needs
• Contacting members in the affected area to identify specific needs
• Contacting PPAI with detailed information regarding member businesses affected by the storm at (972) 258-3063
• Financial contributions, goods, materials and services essential to operating and managing a distributor sales office or supplier manufacturing facility
• Emailing donation proposals to pr@ppai.org

Financial contributions should be directed to the Promotional Products Business Recovery Fund, care of PPAI RAC, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038. This fund is a 501(c)(3) organization and all contributions will be tax deductible. A tax-deductible receipt will be mailed to each donor.

The funds will be dispersed directly to those member companies most severely affected by this natural disaster.

The Promotional Products Disaster Recovery Foundation (PPDRF) Business Recovery Fund, managed by the Regional Association Council, first used in 2005, helps those industry members devastated by natural disaster. The purpose of the Business Recovery Fund is to help members and nonmembers get back to business in the wake of a natural disaster. The fund can help replace lost equipment and supplies—computers, cell phones, office supplies, promotional products catalogs and samples—provide a work area, or give other assistance as needed to get a business up and running as soon as possible.

For more information visit the Regional Association Council's website.