WSC-AR Member Organizations Contribute Over $125,000 To Katrina Relief Efforts;
Appeals to Sikh Community to Continue Supporting Relief Work and
Contributing Generously as Hurricane Rita Approaches

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 23, 2005

Contact: Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Secretary General, World Sikh Council - America Region, 614-210-0591


Less than a month after hurricane Katrina devastated parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, the member organizations of the World Sikh Council - America Region (WSC-AR) have responded by donating and pledging over $125,000 towards the relief efforts, and providing support for those affected by this tragedy.

Contributions by the member organizations have been made to the American Red Cross, WSC-AR's Katrina Aid Campaign, United Sikhs' Ghanaia Katrina Hurricane Relief, Salvation Army, and other relief agencies and efforts.

WSC-AR appreciates the relief efforts being carried out by the local Sikh communities of Baton Rouge, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Dayton, Richmond, and others, as well as United Sikhs' efforts in Donaldsonville and elsewhere.

Mr. Amolak Singh, Chairperson of WSC-AR, a 25 year resident of New Orleans, said, "We thank the Sikh community across the entire country for contributing generously towards the relief efforts. Thousands are homeless and countless more don't know the fate of their relatives and friends."

Dr. Anahat Kaur, Vice-Chairperson of WSC-AR, added, "With hurricane Rita on the horizon, it is important that Sikhs continue to donate generously to a reliable charity or relief campaign of their choice so that some comfort
can be provided to those affected by these tragedies. Sikhs in receiving communities are encouraged to continue support of those displaced."

WSC-AR calls upon Sikh organizations to contribute to a charity organization / campaign of their choice which will provide accurate disclosure of disbursement of funds received.

WSC-AR has been in touch with its member Gurdwaras and is compiling information about the financial contributions and relief efforts being undertaken by them. We call upon non-member Sikhs organizations to send us information about their contributions and local relief efforts at contact@worldsikhcouncil.org so that the contributions of the Sikh
community can be pooled to evaluate the significant national impact on the relief efforts.

Contributions to WSC-AR's Katrina Aid Campaign payable to "World Sikh Council - America Region" while earmarking them for Katrina Aid Campaign, can be mailed to:

World Sikh Council - America Region
P.O. Box 3635
Columbus, Ohio 43210, USA

Funds contributed to WSC-AR's campaign will be donated to the American Red Cross's Hurricane 2005 Relief effort, and Sikh as well as other agencies providing direct relief to those affected by this tragedy.

WSC-AR is a representative and elected body of Sikh Gurdwaras and institutions in the United States. Its members include 31 Gurdwaras (Sikh places of worship) and 6 other Sikh institutions across the nation.

World Sikh Council – America Region (WSC-AR)
P.O. Box 3635 , Columbus , Ohio 43210 , USA
Phone: 614-210-0591, Fax: 419-535-6794
Email: contact@worldsikhcouncil.org
Website: http://www.worldsikhcouncil.org