Chapter News

Lend Your Support for Hurricane Victims

Earlier this week, we sent out a message about GMC PCMA efforts to help hurricane victims of Harvey and Irma. The Board of Directors and the Community Services Committee finalized the plan and we are happy to report that we have several ways to give through the Chapter. We invite you to help make a difference for people in our industry who have been affected by these devastating storms.

During the September 19 Fall Educational Program, we will be offering two opportunities to give back. 

  1. Cash Donations – we will collect cash and credit card donations onsite that will be directed to two industry funds aimed to help our professionals directly affected by both hurricanes. We will support PCMA’s Education Foundation efforts through PCMA’s Industry Relief Fund AND the Meetings Industry Fund (MIF).

PCMA’s Education Foundation is uniting members of the business-events industry to contribute to hurricane recovery efforts with the PCMA Industry Relief Fund. The fund will provide assistance to members in the meetings and events industry who have been impacted by the storms. Instructions on how to apply for these grants will be forthcoming. Please visit the PCMA Hurricane Relief Fund to learn more.

For those that have not heard of the Meetings Industry Fund, its mission is to provide financial assistance during a time of crisis to individuals who are directly involved in the planning, execution, delivery and support of meetings. For this special effort, MIF will earmark the fund for industry professionals who have suffered during these terrible storms. If you know a professional that is in need of help, please direct them to the MIF website where they can apply for a grant.

After the event, the monies will be split between the two organizations to support our industry. So please give as much as you can to help.

Please note that for every dollar collected onsite, GMC PCMA will match the donation (up to $1,000) for our chapter charity, Inspiration Corporation.

All attendees will be encouraged to donate and be eligible for several amazing raffle prizes. Donations of any amount are welcomed. Credit card or cash donations will be accepted.

  1. Donation Drive – For those that would like to give basic items directly to the victims to help them get back on their feet, we have the perfect way to help. After the devastation of Hurricane Harvey was realized in Houston, PCMA member JaNette Connell, Managing Director of Marketing, Events and Corporate Travel at Insperity posted on the PCMA member email listserve seeking to find corporate housing for their employees who lost everything. Most of the 2,000 employee homes were flooded and their offices were destroyed. JaNette works in a different location and was doing everything she could to help her co-workers. JaNette and some of her co-workers have started collecting items to give directly to families in one of the hardest hit areas. One of the women leading this effort said ”In addition to collecting items for our company , we are working with the leadership Dickinson district who got hit really hard with the flooding. We are partnering with the principals at the schools as well as some other entities in the area. The stories the principals tell will bring you to your knees. The kids who came to school were barely clothed, many had no shoes and probably only came to school because they could eat.” Thanks to the PCMA Community Services Committee we have established an Amazon Wish List to provide these items directly to the victims. To help, follow the link to our Amazon Wish List, buy a few or a lot of items and Amazon will ship directly to the warehouse and will be distributed weekly. The women will share updates with us as our donations are utilized.

Look for our social media posts for updates as we learn how we can help more from Hurricane Irma as well. If you have any questions or know someone who needs help, please contact Rachael Riggs at 847-853-1647 or [email protected].

Thomas RaddeLend Your Support for Hurricane Victims