Support Postal Employees Impacted by Hurricane Ida and Other Natural Disasters

(This article first appeared in the November/December issue of the American Postal Worker magazine)

On August 26, the 16-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana as a Category 4 storm. Behind Katrina, Ida was the second most intense and damaging hurricane to hit the state. As the storm moved northeast, it caused additional destruction, flooding and multiple fatalities on the East Coast and in New York City. In Louisiana, nearly the entire state’s power grid was knocked out, with several major tornado events in Louisiana and other southern states caused by the storm.

With over 115 total fatalities and over $65 billion in damage, Hurricane Ida was just one of several major natural disasters this year. Devastating wildfires continued to rage across the West and many states experienced torrential rainstorms causing major flooding. In total, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recorded 18 major natural disasters in 2021, separately totaling over $1 billion in damage as of October, already a record high. The average number of these disasters per year is seven. Experts state that events like Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters will only continue to rise in frequency due to the effects of climate change.

Postal Employees’ Relief Fund

If APWU members wish to help their fellow postal workers offset the devastation of Hurricane Ida and other natural disasters, they can donate to the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund (PERF). PERF provides relief grants to assist qualifying active and retired postal employees to help reestablish residence and replace other necessities to get life back on track.

PERF was created as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to provide financial assistance for postal employees in their hour of need – it belongs to all postal workers and is administrated by the postal unions and management equally. PERF depends almost entirely on the generosity of postal employees to help co-workers rebuild their lives after natural disasters and home fires.

There are several ways to securely donate to PERF:

1. By designating #10268 during the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), employees can often give more generously by making small, bi-weekly contributions throughout the year through payroll deduction. The CFC kicked off on September 1 and continues through January 15, 2022.

2. Anyone can make contributions anytime of the year by credit card or Paypal through PERF’s website, postalrelief.com. The site allows donors to make a one-time donation or to set automatic, recurring donations.

3. Checks or money orders are also accepted throughout the year. Donations should be mailed directly to the:

Postal Employees’ Relief Fund

P.O. Box 41220

Fredericksburg, VA 22404-1220

Members in need are encouraged to take advantage of the available resources.

Contact the APWU Secretary-Treasurer's Department by calling 202-842-4205 or email Annette August-Taylor, aaugust@apwu.org, for more information. You can also contact PERF directly at 202-408- 1869 or perf10268@aol.com. Union workers impacted by the hurricane or other disasters may also qualify for a Union Plus Disaster Relief Grant, and other financial assistance.