ISA announces hurricane relief fundraiser

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – In response to the devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Ike, which hit the Gulf Coast states as a Category 2 storm on Sept. 13, ISA has announced a hurricane relief fundraising program.

The fundraising program will be held in conjunction with ISA EXPO, which runs from Oct. 14-16 in Houston, Texas, at the Reliant Center. ISA also announced a pledge to match funds collected, up to $10,000, approved on Friday by its executive board.

ISA will collect financial donations throughout ISA EXPO 2008, and will dedicate Tuesday eveningís industry reception to the relief effort with a silent auction to raise money for the American Red Crossí Hurricane Ike disaster relief fund. The Red Cross is providing shelter, food and emotional support to tens of thousands of residents, and with more than 200 shelters opened across several states, the Red Cross and its partners have provided more than 100,000 overnight stays to people affected by Hurricane Ike. The organization is also working to feed and provide mental health counseling to help both victims and emergency personnel.

“The Red Cross canít do their important work without the support of the community — our community. After all, these are our colleagues, our friends, our customers, and our suppliers, and weíll support them and help them rebuild,” says ISA Executive Director and CEO Patrick Gouhin.

Individuals can donate by bringing cash or checks made out to the American Red Cross to ISA EXPO. Individuals can also bid on dozens of items at the silent auction, held during the industry reception at the Reliant Center on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Companies can donate in three key ways:

• Pledge to match the funds raised by ISA EXPO 2008 attendees. This is the most significant gift a company can give – to match a percentage of the generosity of the individuals attending ISA EXPO.
• Send a one-time donation to ISA, in the form of a check made out to the American Red Cross, to support the effort.
• Donate a $250+ valued gift to the silent auction. ISA is asking for consumer items, and logos are welcome to be on the donations.

Several industry publications, including Manufacturing AUTOMATION, have agreed to place a full page ad or online ad recognizing the top corporate contributors for the program.

Additional details on donating, pledging advertising space, or providing silent auction items is available online at www.isa.org/hurricanerelief or by calling (919) 549-8411.