By Judith Roberts
Staff Writer

In its first meeting today at the Lincoln Parish Library, Kathy Reeg, organizer of the Katrina Foundation for Relief effort, spread blue and white bracelets on a table with the word "Katrina" blazing in black.

"This has been quite an effort," Reeg said. "I couldn't do it without a lot of prayers and support."

Reeg is the brainchild of this aid project, which is selling wrist-bands for $5 with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to the relief project.

The mission statement of this newly-formed organization is "a nationwide humanitarian organization developed in the unprecedented aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The objectives are: restoring hope, rebuilding lives and providing relief to communities and individuals affected by Katrina.

"Through the donations of caring citizens, we are committed to provide support by supplying the monetary means to purchase clothing, shelter, medical supplies, food, educational tools and transportation. We are also dedicated to ensuring ongoing support for the reconstruction and restoration of communities and relocations of the people of the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region."

Reeg said the mission statement is to remind people this hurricane will have long-term effects.

"There are a great number of needs not being met," Reeg said. "My desire was to help those people not getting relief with this ongoing project. This bracelet is something tangible. A $5 bill can only go so far, but if we band-together and 100,000 people respond it will be a significant effort."

The Board of Directors, with Reeg as the president, includes:  Vice president Rick Hohlt, Treasurer Drake Mills, Marty Alsup, Jerry Baldwin, Juliet Baldwin, Steve Davison and Scott Terry.

The foundation will distribute the funds to legitimate Katrina relief non-profit organizations, Hohlt said.

"There will be an application procedure to apply for the funds. The board will decide where the need is, and allocate the funds quickly. We're dedicated to helping the displaced citizens of Hurricane Katrina with this ongoing project," Hohlt said.

Baldwin said she is pleased that the bracelets can be worn by either the owner of the biggest corporation or the smallest child.

"If a person only had five dollars, it's something anyone can buy and say, 'I donated to the relief,'" she said. "This is all about banding together."

Reeg agreed, saying that the idea came to her one day when she spotted a Livestrong bracelet.

"I am one person, and I felt small," Reeg said. "I was praying what I could do, and it was like a light bulb went off. Every day I say, 'Lord, it's not about me. It's about these people who have lost so much.'"

Preston Friedley, the executive director at the Ruston-Lincoln Convention and Visitors Bureau, said help starts at home, and Reeg is an example of that.

"I'm glad to see this idea emanating from a Louisianan," he said. "We saw a problem, and we recognized it. The assistance will come from across the country, though. For this to be a success, it has to be a national effort."

The Band for Katrina organization will have a Web site up this Friday for people who would like to purchase bracelets. Locally, they can be bought at the library or at the Chamber of Commerce. The non-profit group already has 10,000 wrist-bands and has ordered 100,000 more.

The first 10,000 bracelets have "Katrina" written in black and "Hurricane Relief" indented on the front. Reeg ordered the next batch after the idea "mushroomed," and she now wants a bracelet on everyone from President Bush to New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to Oprah.

"I dream big," Reeg said. "Nothing is impossible with God. I truly believe God has a plan for this, and we are on the right path. I think God will honor our effort."

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