California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board

Press Release

September 19, 2005

California Victim Compensation Program Announces United Way Campaign to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims


SACRAMENTO- Governor Schwarzenegger and California's seven statewide elected constitutional officers have joined forces to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, announced California's Victim Compensation Program. They will provide an opportunity for employees of the State of California to participate in California's Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Campaign.

In a letter dated September 13, 2005, the Governor invited all State employees and California's citizens to join with them in the United Way's Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Campaign.

The campaign has been coordinated and administered by the United Way, and enables state employees to make charitable contributions through payroll deductions through December 31, 2005. Further, the United Way is exempting all deductions from administrative costs to maximize the benefit for victims.

"Through the generosity of our hard working State employees, California is reaching out to all of our fellow citizens impacted by this terrible and unprecedented disaster," said Fred Aguiar, Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency and Chair of the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board. "I also want to commend the United Way California Capitol Region for their hard work and generosity to help create and implement this special campaign. The Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Campaign for State employees would not have been possible without the help and cooperation of the United Way."

Californians have already donated more than $100 million to charitable organizations working on Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and State employees contribute millions of dollars annually to the California State Employees Charitable Campaign.

“The magnitude of this disaster is unprecedented in our country's history, and the Board is proud to assist with this special Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Campaign,” said Karen McGagin, executive officer of the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board.