Hurricane Update

Here are the latest updates on contributions by the industry to Gulf Coast disaster areas:

Danfoss employees raised money to the American Red Cross for Katrina and Rita relief efforts. Funds given by employees will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Clausen Foundation. In addition, 17 tons of bottled water were sent to Louisiana, and an oil burner pump was donated to the Coast Guard. The company's Commercial Refrigeration division donated an ice machine.

Members of the Illinois Pipe Trades Advancement and Promotional Program and the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, Sprinklerfitters and Service Technicians headed to the Gulf region to deliver several truckloads of food and personal supplies. The United Association also created the UA Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina. The executive board of the Illinois Pipe Trades approved $10,000, in addition to funds raised locally.

LA-CO management and employees have donated $15,000 to the American Red Cross and will continue to raise funds. The company is working closely with distributors in affected areas to ensure all materials necessary for relief efforts are provided in a timely manner.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation launched a major campaign to help preserve historic buildings, neighborhoods and communities in the Gulf Coast region ravaged by Katrina. It has assembled survey teams to assess the damage to historic structures; is working with federal, state and local governments to develop and refine tools to facilitate reconstruction; and launched a major campaign to educate the public about the importance of historic resources in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Rebuilding Together created the Rebuild 1000! Program to rebuild 1,000 homes of low-income, disabled or elderly homeowners affected by the two hurricanes. The organization is looking for volunteers - in particular, roofers, carpenters, plumbers and electricians - to commit at least one week of volunteer time. The majority of the work will be focused in the metro New Orleans area and Gulfport. For additional information, visit www.rebuildingtogether.org.

Takagi supplied 10 tankless water heaters for a temporary military base at the Gillis W. Long Center in Carville, La., 75 miles north of New Orleans. These tankless units provided enough hot water to run 80 showers and 12 sinks for the 1,000 military personnel involved at the peak of the hurricane relief effort.

Waterless Co., provider of no-flush urinals, is offering $500,000 in discounts on its water conservation product line for all facilities and conservation needs in the affected hurricane area in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas and Florida. Waterless will offer substantial discounts to building owners, schools, colleges, cities, counties, state agencies, the military and other facilities. Additional information concerning the program can be found on the Web at www.waterless.com or by telephone at 800/244-6364.