Reply #14: Water from Idaho is on its way

[IDemo]

Idaho is responding

The Idaho National Guard is making its aircraft and crews available for relief efforts for victims of the Louisiana and Mississippi floods.

The Guard transported a Utah military police unit to Louisiana this morning, and will carry water donated by Trinity Springs of Paradise, Idaho, to Louisiana and Mississippi, Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said today.

At least 24,000 1.5-liter bottles of water are going to Louisiana, and another 20,000 to Biloxi.

The Idaho Guard plane also is being made available to transport flood victims from New Orleans to Texas, Kempthorne said.

Additional water is being offered by other Idaho companies, and Kempthorne said he has offered additional aircraft as well as Idaho military police officers, communications experts and other personnel if needed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Boise-based Washington Group International has donated $500,000 to the American Red Cross for relief efforts, CEO Steve Hanks said, and will match any other donations made by its employees.

Vaughn Killeen, head of Idaho's Red Cross, challenged other Idaho companies to follow WGI's lead. And Kempthorne encourage Idaho citizens to help with the relief effort by donating to the charity of their choice.