UNITED WAY NELA LAUNCHES “EMBRACE LOUISIANA” TO ASSIST HURRICANE IDA EVACUEES

Today, United Way of Northeast Louisiana launched “Embrace Louisiana,” a disaster relief

project that will encompass a relief fund, goods drive, and other emergent needs to assist Hurricane Ida

evacuees.
 

“Our Embrace Louisiana Fund will be made possible through the generous contributions of individuals and

corporations over and above the vital dollars that are already being given,” said Janet Durden, President of

United Way of Northeast Louisiana. “Additionally, products and goods will be collected to help meet the basic

needs of Hurricane Ida evacuees here in our region.”
 

All funds received will be used to meet the basic needs of Hurricane Ida evacuees sheltering in Northeast

Louisiana, and any unused funds will be donated to United Ways in south Louisiana and those affected by

Hurricane Ida. No portion of contributions will be used for United Way of Northeast Louisiana overhead or

administration. All donations are tax deductible.
 

Monetary donations will be accepted beginning Monday, August 30. Donations to the Embrace Louisiana Fund

may be given by:

•  Texting EMBRACELA to 91999
• Giving online at unitedwaynela.org/embracela
• Mailing a check or money order to United Way of Northeast Louisiana at 1201 Hudson Lane, Monroe, LA 71201. Please indicate a donation to the UWNELA Embrace Louisiana Fund in the memo of your check or money order.
• Currently, the requested items for the Embrace Louisiana goods drive include:
• Baby diapers
• Adult diapers
• Feminine products
• Baby wipes
• Trash bags
• Coffee
• Pillows
• Blankets
• Cups

Stay tuned for updates related to ongoing needs on United Way NELA social media platforms.

Goods donations can be dropped off at United Way of Northeast Louisiana’s office location, 1201 Hudson

Lane in Monroe, on Sunday, August 29 from 1:00-5:00pm and Monday, August 30 from 8:00am-5:00pm.

Evacuee needs will be monitored daily and ongoing plans for the collection of goods will be announced on

social media. Additionally, residents can call 211 for more information. 
 

"On the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I am deeply grateful for the incredible generosity of this

community – how they responded then and how they will respond now," said Durden. “Our mission at United

Way of Northeast Louisiana is to help people and improve community, and that’s exactly what we’re going to

do for our friends and neighbors across Louisiana.”
 

For more information about the United Way of Northeast Louisiana Embrace Louisiana project, call 211 or

contact Janet Durden, President of United Way of Northeast Louisiana at jdurden@unitedwaynela.org.
 

United Way of Northeast Louisiana is also encouraging residents to dial 211 to access up-to-date information

and available recovery services from local partners and government agencies in their respective parishe