AUGUSTA — Governor John Baldacci and the Maine Emergency Management
Agency said today that the best way to help with disaster relief for the
victims of the California fires is to support a relief agency working in the
area.

Baldacci said in a statement that his office has received a number of
calls from Maine citizens anxious to help the people of southern
California.

The State of California has established a donations hotline at
1-800-750-2858. Other relief organizations can be found through the
Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (http://www.nvoad.org ) or the
Network for Good (http://www.networkforgood.org ). Local chapters of
disaster relief agencies often can also accept targeted donations for
relief efforts.

For those concerned about family or friends in the area, Baldacci said
that FEMA and the American Red Cross have activated their services to
assist in making connections with those displaced by the fires.

American Red Cross Safe and Well List: https://disastersafe.redcross.org
FEMA’s National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System:

o Register you and your family: 1-800-588-9822
o Find family or friends (over 21): 1-800-588-9822
o Find a missing child (under 21): 1-866-908-9570

Those wishing to volunteer to help and who are not already affiliated
with a relief agency should contact a local agency or visit
http://www.volunteermaine.org to learn about volunteer opportunities, and
how to get training as a disaster volunteer.