My commitment to action is to help rebuild homes for the more than one million residents displaced after Hurricane Katrina. The region’s lack of economic benefits has tied up federal funds and allowed the reconstruction effort to go largely unfunded. Although Hurricane Katrina caused an estimated $81.2 billion dollars of damage to the region, the U.S. Government has only spent $24 billion to rebuild the Gulf States. This lack of funding to the region has delayed redevelopment and left tens of thousands of hurricane victims without the means to rebuild their lives.

Goals

My commitment for 2008 is to raise a modest $5,000 for hurricane victims in the city of New Orleans. Moreover, I intend to raise the level of awareness to Katrina victims, and the necessity to rebuild New Orleans. Funds will be donated to the St. Bernard Project, a locally operated charitable organization that is focused on redeveloping houses and rehabilitating the historic spirit of the St. Bernard Parish. Over time I will organize a charitable network amongst my peers that is responsive to tragic issues such as those affecting Katrina victims.

Plan

Throughout the year, I will raise awareness to my commitment by running several distance races in the name of Katrina victims. In preparation for each race, I plan to seek donations from friends, family, co-workers and corporate sponsors. I will utilize paypal and google checkout to personally monitor the safe transfer of all donations.