House Republican Press Release

August 15, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Reps Hamzy, Noujaim; Sen. Cappiello: Donations Needed for Medical, Humanitarian Relief for Lebanon

State Representatives William A. Hamzy, R-78^th District (Bristol and Plymouth), and Selim G. Noujaim, R-74^th District (Waterbury); and state Senator David J. Cappiello, R-24^th District (Danbury, Bethel), today urged residents to help provide medical and humanitarian relief to Lebanese citizens who have been injured or left homeless as a result of the current crisis in the Middle East.

Others involved in the relief effort include Waterbury Mayor Michael J. Jarjura; Danbury City Councilman Thomas Saadi; Ehden Lebanese American Club (Wolcott) President Michael Macary, and Lebanon American Club (Danbury) President Joe Walkovich.

“We are working with AmeriCares, a Connecticut-based international relief organization, to bring needed medical and humanitarian supplies to Lebanon. AmeriCares is scheduling an airlift to Lebanon as we speak,” the legislators said. “The Lebanese American Community of Connecticut has enjoyed a good working relationship with AmeriCares over the years. AmeriCares sends six shipments a year to local partners in Lebanon, providing medicines and medical supplies that support numerous refugee camps and hospitals around Beirut.”

“In response to the current crisis, AmeriCares is working with partners in Lebanon to support their critical needs and is currently mobilizing aid for an airlift to Lebanon. The newly created AmeriCares Middle East Relief Fund is to provide humanitarian aid to many people affected and displaced by the intensifying conflict in the region,” the legislators said.

AmeriCares is an I. R. S. registered 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization (Number 06-1008595). As a non-profit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, it responds immediately to emergency medical needs and supports long-term humanitarian assistance programs for people around the world, irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion.

AmeriCares solicits donations of medicines, medical supplies and other relief materials from U.S. and international manufacturers, and delivers them quickly and efficiently to indigenous health care and welfare professionals around the world. Donations for medical and humanitarian relief for Lebanon can be made:

By regular mail to:

Ehden Lebanese American Club
3 Garthwait Road
Wolcott, Connecticut 06716

Attn: Lebanon Relief Fund

Lebanon American Club
            22 West Street
            Danbury, Connecticut 06810
            Attn: Lebanon Relief Fund

Or dropped off at:

            Office of the Mayor of the City of Waterbury

236 Grand Street                                                         

            Waterbury, Connecticut 06702                        

Attn: Lebanon Relief Fund                                           

Legislative Office Building
House Minority Office Room 4200
Hartford, Connecticut 06106
Attn: Lebanon Relief Fund

Please make checks payable to AmeriCares and write: ‘Middle East Relief Fund’ in the memo section.  For more information, visit AmeriCares on the web at: www.americares.org or contact Joe Macary, (203-910-6217), who is coordinating the effort on behalf of the Lebanese American Community, or Jean Brackenbury, Director of Institutional Relations at AmeriCares.