September 19, 2008

Contact: Aux. Robert Westcott
Chief- Internal Communications
Public Affairs Department
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
robwestcott@earthlink.net
http://www.auxpa.org
(386) 717-8437

Operation Life Ring – There for Those Who Are There For Others

WASHINGTON D.C. - With Hurricane Season already in full swing, and and recent storms Fay, Gustav and Ike causing millions of dollars in damage to the property of our citizens,  the Coast Guard Auxiliary is asking its members and all Americans to support all members of Team Coast Guard, who might themselves be in future storm paths by contributing generously to Operation Life Ring, the Auxiliary’s relief fund for Active Duty, Reserve, Civilian and Auxiliary members of the Coast Guard who themselves become storm victims.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in the Fall of 2005, Team Coast Guard rushed to the rescue, saving thousands of lives. Many of those involved in rescue efforts were themselves storm victims, and some wearing the Coast Guard Blue literally lost everything.

That’s where Coast Guard Mutual Assistance jumped in to help, and a new program called Operation Life Ring was created and made a big difference. While Mutual Assistance offered interest-free loans of up to $5,000.00 for the immediate needs of members and their families, there were many who because of the storms lost the capacity to pay off those loans. Life Ring jumped in and paid off many of those loans so members could focus on the business of rebuilding their lives. Like a literal life ring, Operation Life Ring buoyed the lives and spirits of those committed to save others.

Supporting those who serve is all is the privilege of every American. Those who would like to do so by contributing to Operation Life Ring can do so by going to http://www.cgauxa.org/lifering/index.php , or by asking a local Auxiliarist how they can contribute.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, volunteer Component of Team Coast Guard who assist the active duty Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation's waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its over 30,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.

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