FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, D.C.—September 6, 2005) Jeno Paulucci, founding chairman of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), and his wife Lois, have made arrangements through their family foundation to transport 20 semi truckloads containing more than 100,000 gallons of drinking water to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. The water will go to the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency operation centers in New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast cities of Biloxi and Gulfport, and Mobile, Alabama, to help bring relief to families struggling to survive in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

NIAF joins Paulucci and the rest of the nation as we aid the tens of thousands of people in the Gulf Coast impacted by the horrific aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. NIAF has established the NIAF Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund to support this massive relief effort. A tax-deductible donation to the NIAF Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund can be made by going to www.niaf.org. One hundred percent of the funds raised from the Italian American community will go directly to the American Red Cross.

A portion of the proceeds raised from NIAF’s 30th Anniversary Gala and Annual Convention, to be held October 14-15 in Washington, D.C., will also go directly to the American Red Cross.

NIAF, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. NIAF organizes cultural activities and helps young people with scholarships, internships and other programs. Visit our web site at www.niaf.org