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Holtz Communications + Technology

Shel Holtz
Communicating at the Intersection of Business and Technology
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A message from Charles Pizzo

My friend and colleague Charles Pizzo, evacuated from New Orleans to temporary quarters in Fort Worth, Texas, has asked me to post this message on his behalf, which I’m more than happy to do:

HURRICANE KATRINA
Many thanks for the flood of warm messages. They mean a lot.
Mom, Ollie (dog) and I are safe. We evacuated from Hurricane Katrina very early.
Both our homes have been lost. Media reports indicate no return for 12+ weeks.
It’s impossible to reach our cell or land lines.

Temporary coordinates:
Extended StayAmerica Fort Worth - City View
5831 Overton Ridge Blvd.
Fort Worth , TX 76132
(817) 263-9006 ext 7410 (room 135)

Prayers welcome; will work for food.

http://www.wwltv.com/  http://www.wdsu.com/index.html
http://www.nola.com/  http://www.cityofno.com/

Charles isn’t kidding with the “will work for food” item. Without access to the resources most of us take for granted, Charles—like so many others—could use an assignment. He’s an excellent communicator with experience in traditional PR as well as labor-focused communications.

09/02/05 | 2 Comments | A message from Charles Pizzo

Comments

  • 1.Shel, regarding your observation that Charles, and undoubtedly others are, "without access to resources most of us take for granted," IABC/PRSA could use their clout to arrange to make resources available to members to help them get back on their feet and function until things stabalize, at least for the self employeed.

    Since I am assuming we are not talking about thousands of displaced members, how about:

    - arranging with Dell/IBM/Gateway/Apple, etc. to provide loaner laptops.
    - Likewise with Microsoft and other software vendors for tools the member needs.
    - Verizon/Nextel/Cingular, etc. to provide free cell phones and service for 90-days (or a certain amount of free monthly airtime)
    - Loaner printers from HP/Lexmark, etc.
    - Discounted service at Kinkos
    - Free/discounted service from ISPs to enable them to get on the Internet.
    - Free/discounted office space in the area they are temporary settled in.
    - Any other service PR/business communicators might need to become productive again.

    IOW, airlift in an office and tools so they can get back to the business of earning a living and obtaining much needed income they will undoubtedly need in the near future.

    I bet that if the request was made from IABC/PRSA the companies mentioned (plus others) would seriously consider it and could recognize the benefits to their reputations (beside it just being the nice thing to do) in helping a handful of folks in this manner.

    You know the old saying, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." The worst that could happen is that the answer would be no. But over the years I've learned that it's pretty amazing what you can achieve just by picking up the phone and asking.

    Craig

    Craig Jolley | September 2005

  • 2.Thank you guys for your wonderful support.

    To make it easier for people to reach us, I have set up a special e-mail:

    refugee AT charlespizzo DOT com


    We're trying to stay dry, Charles

    Charles Pizzo | September 2005 | former City of New Orleans

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