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8 September 05

LAS VEGAS' 'WHEELS OF HOPE' GETS THROUGH TO TEMPORARY ANIMAL SHELTER IN LOUISIANA

Las Vegas—(Sept. 8, 2005) In the wake of the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina, Wheels of Hope, organized by team members of Las Vegas-based Station Casinos, is bringing desperately needed relief to a temporary animal shelter that has been set up by animal relief agency Noah’s Wish for the pets of the victims of Katrina in Slidell, La.

Volunteers of Noah’s Wish say Wheels of Hope trucks were the first significant supplies to arrive. And while more are slowly coming, Wheels of Hope remains the primary contributor to the shelter.

One truck filled with supplies and led by team member volunteer Carol Gripentog has already returned to Las Vegas from Louisiana. Two additional trucks, led by team member volunteer Staci Columbo and filled in just one day with the private donations of Las Vegas residents, are now making the 3,000-mile trip to Slidell. They expect to arrive Friday Sept. 9th at 8 a.m. (CDT)

“Wheels of Hope is a life-saving mission. And we’re so thankful for the generosity of Las Vegans who have given to this cause from thousands of miles away,” said Terry Crisp, Executive Director and Founder of Noah’s Wish.

“Wheels of Hope not only helps to show the people affected by Katrina that there is a light at the end of the tunnel—they are helping light the tunnel up,” he added.

“It will be a joyous occasion to see all the displaced pets reunited or placed into new homes,” said Staci Columbo, Wheels of Hope organizer and Team Member volunteer. "Station Casinos wants to help the animal rescue volunteers save as many animals as they can.”

In October 2003 in the midst of the wildfire outbreak in Southern California, Station Casinos called for donations for the injured and displaced pets that desperately needed help during that crisis. Dubbed Wheels of Hope, Las Vegans responded by filling three trucks to overflowing—in just 24 hours. Company Team Member volunteers then drove the trucks into the heart of still-smoldering Southern California. The trucks filled by Las Vegas with pet food, blankets and crates helped save homeless pets from Barstow to Tijuana.

Wheels of Hope has been resurrected now to bring aid to the pets of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, organized and delivered by team members of Station Casinos and many other volunteers through the generosity of Las Vegas.