Page 65: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2005)

November 2005 65

Grants, Interest Free

Loans from SCI

The Seamen's Church Institute of New

York & New Jersey (SCI) is helping inland and deep-sea mariners affected by Hurricane Katrina. SCI chaplains in the Gulf Region and the Port of New

York & New Jersey are on-site provid- ing counseling and pastoral care, and the

Institute is making grants and interest- free loans through SCI's Mariners'

Assistance Fund. SCI has long provided financial assistance to mariners and ves- sel crews during times of critical need.

In addition, SCI's Ministry on the River team is serving as a clearinghouse of information for mariners and maritime companies whose communications have been affected by the hurricane. In the wake of this disaster, SCI is working to increase the funding available through its Mariners' Assistance Fund to assist these mariners and many others who will need help in the weeks and months ahead. The grants may help them rebuild their homes or feed their families.

Donations can made by calling 212-349- 9090 or online at www.seamen- schurch.org. Inland mariners contact

Ann Mills at 800-708-1998, [email protected].

Deep-sea mariners contact Deborah G.

Blanchard at 212-349-9090, csr@sea- menschurch.org.

ESAB Aids Katrina

Victims

ESAB Welding & Cutting Products is helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.

ESAB immediately sent a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross and transported bottled water to the region.

ESAB senior management is currently in the region to develop a long-term plan to help with the rebuilding efforts.

Throughout North America, ESAB employees are collecting supplies and donating money. Additionally, ESAB is matching employee donations and hold- ing a fundraiser. Many ESAB customers and employees were in the path of the storm and sustained major damage to their homes and businesses. ESAB dis- patched 4,500 gallons of bottled water to the Mississippi region from its plant in Hanover, Pa. ESAB distributor

Nordan-Smith provided the means and support to get the water to the hardest hit areas.

Jeff Hoffart, Senior Vice-President of

Equipment, Cutting Systems and Steel

Industry Products, said "I was scheduled to be in Germany, but this is too impor- tant. I really need to go there personally to see how ESAB can help. It is critical to get the right equipment there and get it there fast. The only way to do this is by assessing the needs in the hardest hit areas first hand." ]

After the initial needs assessment,

ESAB will partner with distributor net- work in the region to help in the rebuild- ing effort. ESAB employees are donat- ing money and needed supplies at all the

ESAB facilities in North America.

ESAB is also matching employee dona- tions dollar for dollar. "We have many loyal customers in the devastated area that have counted on us for years. They are in desperate need," said Andy

Blanchard, President and CEO of

ESAB, North America. "Our customers can count on us."

Circle 297 on Reader Service Card

Circle 296 on Reader Service Card

Circle 292 on Reader Service Card 3IMPLEX #OMPACT ¤ SLAE3 - DA EONLY IN'ERM NA Y A3 L VRE3SERAP3SE I O.NIEC RT REM!H IAC 3I PM L XE EM! RI SAC #,,  NO LY     INF S O I PM L EMAXE RI SAC  OCM

Captain Bill Boyce of the Horizon Producer and a resident of New Orleans (middle) with SCI chaplain, the Rev. Bruce Woodcock (left) and

Rivelino dos Santos, SCI chaplain intern from

Brazil (right) on Sept. 2. (Photo credit: SCI)