AFA Disaster Relief Team Update

Here is an update from Fred Smith, the AFA Regional Director for Florida and Puerto Rico (who is in charge of the AFA Disaster Relief Program) regarding the AFA Disaster Relief Team's activities during the week of 10/21/07 - 10/29/07:

Our first and foremost purpose since the fires began has been to locate aviculturists in the Southern California area who may need help because of the fires and to provide disaster relief to aviculturists and to their birds. Shortly after the extent of the fires became known, AFA President Jim Hawley appointed Fred Smith to head the AFA Disaster Relief Team. Fred selected several AFA members to help him with the relief effort.

The Regional Director for Southern California, Genny Wall, is in the fire damaged area and has been contacting present and past AFA members in her region to see who needs assistance. The good news is many of those Genny has been able to reach are ok, and so are their birds. Many of those who had to evacuate are now back home. There may be people who will need ongoing help with their birds while they rebuild and get re-established, and we will try to help them find resources.

If anyone in the fire area needs to contact AFA for assistance, they can call Fred Smith at 863-858-6739 or email him at fredsmith@netzero.net, or they can call Genny at (949) 463-3865 or email her at gennygem2@aol.com.

Christiana McKnight is there "on the ground" and helped with evacuations. She gives Fred updates and has been a great help.

Margrethe Warden has been contacting softbill and Lory breeders and pet owners to see if any of them need any assistance.

Mary Ellen LePage has worked on a Tri-Fold explaining that the Disaster Relief Program is working and if anyone wants to help with a donation how they can do it. It has information about the AFA website and how to contact the AFA office. Fred had made up flyers when he worked on the Florida Hurricanes and gave them out and posted them on bulletin boards in supermarkets etc. so those in need would see it.

Fred has been in contact with the Red Cross concerning any needs with bird owners and they agreed to contact Fred with any leads.

We were able to secure permission from Cuttlebone Plus for some warehouse space to house any/all donated items for those who may need materials.

Fred contacted the West Coast Wire and Steel Co. in Riverside, CA. as a place where we can purchase cage wire, hog rings etc. for those who may need it. WCW&S has agreed to deliver any orders to Cuttlebone Plus warehouse.
Fred contacted ASA to offer our help if needed. ASA is contacting all their members as well and will let Fred know if we can help them.

Fred has compiled a list of those offering cage space to house birds temporarily if needed.

Fred has followed up on numerous persons in the fire area to see how they are doing and if anything is needed.

Fred has worked with some who have had questions concerning how to donate to disaster relief on the AFA website.

Fred had an AFA booth at the Orlando Show ( which is the largest in the state ) answering questions concerning the Disaster Relief Program and what the Team has been doing.

Fred is working on a plan to present to the AFA Board at Houston this weekend concerning present and future ways in which those in disaster areas can contact us. This will include a way that they can let everyone know that they are safe. This is a proactive protocol for everyone before the need arises.

During a disaster many donors want their monies to go to that project, and that can be done on the AFA website (www.afabirds.org).

Since we have been busy "on the ground" this past week, and have not been able to put much on our website about the details of the AFA disaster relief effort. Fred will try to get updated information posted on the AFA website as soon as he can.