[Press Release] : press release

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Hurricane Katrina reputable charity 

COLUMBIA, MO (September 6, 2005) -- In the wake of Hurricane Katrina,
many Columbians may be interested in finding a reputable charity so they
can make a financial contribution. How do you know if a charity is real,
reputable or bogus? Your local police department does not maintain this
type of information, but we can point you in the right direction.

The United States Government is maintaining a Web page with accurate,
up-to-date information about agencies who are the real deal, who can
accept donations. You can access this information at
http://www.firstgov.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicSafety/Hurricane_Katrina_Recovery.shtml.

As well, FEMA has dedicated a page on its Web site to the victims of
Katrina, and it contains a hotline number that you can call to donate.
It can be found at
http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/katrinadonations.shtm.

Both links and more information can be found at the Internal Revenue
Service's Web site at www.irs.gov.

Please question any solicitation made by mail, phone or e-mail, asking
for donations. You are better off initiating the donation yourself, via
an organization you can trust. Visit the sites above if you are
considering donating to the victims of Katrina. They have made the
process as simple as possible.

For questions in general regarding phone, mail, and e-mail scams,
please contact Officer Jessie Haden Pitman at 874-7448 or
jfh at gocolumbiamo.com.

The Columbia Police Department is committed to helping keep you safe
from fraud.

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Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

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