By Ashley Rowland
Staff Writer
Officials at some Chattanooga-area charities say donations remained stable or increased during the past year, reflecting a nationwide spike in giving after three major natural disasters —; the tsumani in Asia, the earthquake in Pakistan, and hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
The Associated Press reported today that Americans gave $260.28 billion in 2005, a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year and the highest level of giving in several years. That approaches the inflation-adjusted high of $260.53 billion given in 2000, according to the Giving USA foundation, which released the data.
Jessica Johnson, spokeswoman for the United Way of Chattanooga, said the organization raised $11.2 million in 2005, slightly more than the previous year. About $200,000 was given to help Katrina survivors who moved to Chattanooga, she said.
“I think people reached in their pockets to support all of this, but people understand that we still need help here locally for everyday needs,” she said.
E-mail AshleyRowland at arowland@timesfreepress.com
See tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
Staff Writer
Officials at some Chattanooga-area charities say donations remained stable or increased during the past year, reflecting a nationwide spike in giving after three major natural disasters —; the tsumani in Asia, the earthquake in Pakistan, and hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
The Associated Press reported today that Americans gave $260.28 billion in 2005, a 6.1 percent increase over the previous year and the highest level of giving in several years. That approaches the inflation-adjusted high of $260.53 billion given in 2000, according to the Giving USA foundation, which released the data.
Jessica Johnson, spokeswoman for the United Way of Chattanooga, said the organization raised $11.2 million in 2005, slightly more than the previous year. About $200,000 was given to help Katrina survivors who moved to Chattanooga, she said.
“I think people reached in their pockets to support all of this, but people understand that we still need help here locally for everyday needs,” she said.
E-mail AshleyRowland at arowland@timesfreepress.com
See tomorrow's Chattanooga Times Free Press for full coverage.
