As you may know, last week the ACPA set-up a Hurricane Relief Fund to allow members to contribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Yesterday, the ACPA Executive Board approved $25,000 be transferred from the ACPA general account into this fund. The Executive Board also decided that all funds be distributed to any persons in the concrete pumping industry who have suffered personal hardship. Requests for help should be sent in writing to the ACPA National Office and those requests will be forwarded to a steering committee consisting of Dennis Andrews, Mike Cusack, and Carl Walker. The steering committee, with outside help from Wayne Allen of Putzmeister and Shaun Nelson of Schwing (salesman in the Louisiana, Mississippi, regions), will oversee the distribution of funds.Donations made to the Hurricane Relief Fund are not considered a charitable deduction since the ACPA is not a 501 C-3 charitable organization and the funds are being directed to specific individuals, however they could be considered a business expense by the IRS. You should check with your accountant for an exact ruling.Many of our members across the U.S. have offered to give concrete pump operators temporary employment. Although their offers are greatly appreciated, the Executive Board feels that it should not be the responsibility of the ACPA to help relocate operators. It is also worthy to note that the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the ACPA (Dennis Andrews) has donated $9,050 to the fund for a starting fund balance of $34,050.00.

Good job ACPA and I applauded you guys.Here is the link to the companies that are will to help you relocate and get you back to work and get your families into a place to live and cloths on your back and food on the table.[url=http://www.concretepumping.com/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=16&Topic=222]Click here to find companies willing to help you relocate[/url] Todd Bullis