State Employees Donate Nearly $33,000 for Haiti Relief

Press Release

Gov. Mike Rounds says state government employees in South Dakota have donated $32,670 for earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.

The Governor presented a check Thursday with the donated amount to Mary Tveit, South Dakota Red Cross government liaison.

"State employees are incredibly generous," Gov. Rounds said. "Their donations show that they care deeply about those who died or were injured in the earthquake, as well as survivors who lost loved ones and virtually everything they owned."

Haiti relief donations from state government employees were collected on "casual Fridays" over the course of two weeks.

"South Dakota's state employees have always been generous when people have suffered a disaster and need help," Tveit said. "This check will go a long way in helping the Red Cross help the people of Haiti."

Tveit said the American Red Cross has spent or committed $80 million so far of $255 million collected to meet the most urgent needs of Haiti earthquake survivors. She said 69 percent of the immediate relief funds have been targeted for food and water, 20 percent for shelter and 11 percent for health and family services.

Source