Members of the Georgia Utility Contractors Association (GUCA) have joined together to assist those along the Gulf Coast affected by Hurricane Katrina.

They have offered their homes, employment opportunities and basic necessities such as food and bottled water in addition to raising cash donations of more than $4,500 to displaced families.

“These donations are just the beginning of what these families are going to need that lost everything and are trying to rebuild their lives,” said Billy Padgett of Strack Inc., GUCA’s community service committee chairman.

Several contractors involved with the organization have opened their doors to skilled laborers in need of a job — both on a permanent and temporary basis, depending on the need of the company, said Scott Brumbelow, GUCA’s assistant executive director.

The influx of skilled workers into the state from the hardest-hit areas has, in turn filled a need for the contractors who have already been looking for qualified truck drivers, laborers, diesel mechanics and heavy equipment operators.

With this win-win situation, “We hope that several of these people will stay,” Brumbelow said.

Hundreds of military families are being relocated from Louisiana and Mississippi to Dobbins Air Force Reserve Base in Marietta, GA. At this designated relief location, these families are receiving information on housing, jobs and donations.

The committee chose Dobbins Air Force Reserve as the venue in which to give this abundance of donations. On Sept. 20 and 21, GUCA staff and members of the committee visited Dobbins to take the donated items.

Companies donating to this effort include: Alcon Associates Inc., American Contractors Inc., Archer Western Contractors Ltd., AUC Inc., Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co. Inc., East Electrical Contractors Inc., Georgia Utility Contractors Association Inc., Godwin Pumps of America, Richard Harp Excavation Inc., Garner & Glover Company, Ronny D. Jones Enterprises Inc., NUCA of Oregon and South West Washington, Portadam Inc., Premier Utilities and Services Inc., Rain for Rent; Brent Scarbrough & Company Inc., Strack Inc., Turpin Inc., White Horse Contractor Financial Advisors and Y-Delta Inc.

Brumbelow said GUCA will continue to look for other ways to assist people whose lives were impacted by the hurricane.

“We’re always willing to help those in need. We have a sense of giving back to those in need who were displaced because of this terrible natural occurrence,” he said.

Brumbelow was not aware of any GUCA members who were impacted by Katrina, but a few contractors have moved westward after receiving clean-up contracts.

For more information, call 404/362-9995 or visit www.guca.com. CEG

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