The Louisiana Army National Guard helping place sand bags to protect City Hall in Lake Arthur, La. (Photo: Scott Clause, The Daily Advertiser)
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association is partnering with its merchandise supplier, CP Sportswear, to send shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and other items to the Capital Area United Way of Baton Rouge to assist those in need following the recent flooding, the association announced.
CP Sportswear will be assembling items from past championship events and sending relief packages to the most affected areas.
The idea was first broached by CP Sportswear owner Don Knatatis, whose family has spent many summers in the Gulf area.
“This is certainly a terrible natural disaster which has impacted the people of Louisiana, we are trying to provide a little relief for those who have already been through so much,” NYSPHSAA executive director Robert Zayas said in a news release. “When Don first suggested this idea of sending clothing from past NYSPHSAA Championship events, I thought it was a great way to show support for those in need.”
Added Knataitis: “Having spent many summers in that area of the Gulf, we were deeply moved by the hardships the people of Louisiana and Mississippi are going through. This is a small way of trying to help many people with the basic of necessities.”
The flooding also impacted the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, whose office was destroyed. The group is looking for a temporary office. Estimates are that it could take eight months to rebuild their current office.