September 27, 2005
Tuesday PM

Ketchikan, Alaska - According to organizer Rob Holston, the Ketchikan Katrina Relief Effort totals are in as of Sept. 26th and are sitting at $16,900 with a few donations yet to be tallied. The first step in giving the Ketchikan Katrina Relief Effort momentum was the generous offer by the City of Ketchikan for the use of the Ted Ferry Civic Center said Holston.

Ten bands and musical groups participated in the four hour fund raising event that took place September 24th. Also part of the fund raising event Saturday was a silent auction. Performing Saturday were: Windjamers, Lucy Cruz Lush Life, Otter Limits, Red Hootchie & the Tom Cods, Dixie Land, Travis Reed, Carl & Tom Thompson, Clover Pass band, Assembly of God band and Paddy's Leather Breeches.

In mobilizing the relief effort quickly one of the first steps was to place donation containers in businesses and places of employment island-wide. Numerous businesses participated in this effort with approximately $7,000 in donations raised before the night of the event.

The community wide fund raising proceeds will be divided equally between Operation Blessing International. Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. The Tongass Federal Credit Union banked and will dispense the funds.

"I would like to thank our many volunteers who stepped forward and to give special recognition to my committee chair people," said Holston.

He said, "Marie Monyak did a grand job in charge of tickets, donations, & deliveries. Bruce Begeman of A&P was our food chairman and was outstanding from beginning to end and Kathy Graham organized the silent auction with professional efficiency."

Thanks were expressed to the musicians, sound techs, restaurants, cafes, stores and businesses who donated music, food, drink, printing, and items for the silent auction. He especially thanked the Civic Center staff for help, advice and set-up and to Blake Messer at KTKN/KGTW for live coverage.

Holston said Susan Fisher, CEO of Tongass Federal Credit Union and staff are still adding up the funds raised.

And to the community of Ketchikan whose citizens made the relief effort a success Holston said, "Thank you Ketchikan for your support."

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Ketchikan, Alaska