Ashland Emergency Fund

Quietly providing hope to those in need.

Since 1987 the AEF has been Ashland’s behind-the-scenes, private place to which those in need have been able to turn for help.

Hurricane Katrina Relief

By Nadine Heaps

May 20, 2006

In September 2005 Americans were again asked to stand up, stop blaming and to focus on problem solving. Hurricane Katrina challenged each of us to figure out how much more we could do. This was an unusual and fortunate learning experience for our family and our town of Ashland.

We learned that by asking the right questions we could solve problems quicker and more efficiently. We learned that we live in a community that has a hidden magical spirit. We learned all too well that the Emergency Fund supports Ashland residents who are in direct need as well as those who have overextend themselves helping others in crisis.

Our town saw that in a matter of hours we were able to set up entire apartments (including food, furniture dishes, toiletries, connections, jobs) and create homes for families who had not only lost their homes but their entire communities. OUr town saw how community spirit, resolution and strong goals can accomplish any challenge.

We can not thank everyone enough for the thousands of tremendous, various, special, expeditious and classy forms of assistance we received to assist in 6 different family's transitions. Of the 6 families who came to AShland from New Orleans, 3 families remain and 3 have returned. We are so very honored that we have the privilege of having a tiny little link in "bridging our country."

With this I challenge you all to support the Ashland Emergency Fund in a more significant way than before! Get excited about what the Emergency Fund does for our town. Its a classy way of asking better questions and solving problems quicker. It allows many the pride of remaining dignified in a community which really cares. The stronger our town's emergency fund grows the stronger our town becomes. If its as little as $1 a month or donating a service pledge what you can, even just letting others know that there is an Emergency Fund which has been run for decades by tireless volunteers who put their heart and souls into making Ashland a safer, more secure community.

If you would still like to directly assist our new neighbors from Louisiana please contact me at 881-6680.

Again, thank you a million times Ashland!
Nadine Heaps