The American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity each receive $27,000from 'Common Effort' Relief Fund

Three months to the date that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast states, Common Man owner Alex Ray and his staff have donated $54,000 to two charities that continue to provide much-needed assistance in the most devastated areas.

Ray presented two checks for $27,000 each to the American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity from the "Common Effort" relief fund started by the Common Man restaurants right after the storm hit.

"It's been three months and people are still fighting an uphill battle in the Gulf area," said Ray. "The American Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity are two organizations that have proven track records of helping people, and are working hard to rebuild housing and keep volunteers in the area to offer assistance."

Ray said the "Common Effort" funds were raised by his managers and staff who ran two back-to-back charity dinners, a golf tournament, earmarked a percentage of all sales at the Common Man Company Store in Ashland and held a community charity breakfast at the Common Man in Windham to raise a total of $108,000 for hurricane relief.

The relief efforts were all undertaken by the Common Man staff while Ray was out of the state, volunteering in the hurricane-ravaged areas. Just days after Hurricane Katrina hit, Ray packed up the company van with medical supplies, cooking equipment and clothes, and drove to help residents dealing with the aftermath of the storm.

"There's a longer road ahead and we're being cautious," Ray said. "I'm looking to help with the individual needs of people who were lost in the chaos, or businesses who haven't been able to find the resources to help them get back on their feet."