The City of Arlington has partnered with emergency shelter directors and the Salvation Army to create a Sponsorship Relief Fund that will benefit the long-term needs of Hurricane Katrina evacuees as they begin rebuilding their lives in Arlington.

The fund was created after more than 300 Arlington residents expressed an interested in hosting or sponsoring a family, said Pete Jamison, planning leader in the Arlington Emergency Operations Center.

"This collective fund will allow Arlington residents to support the families financially rather than physically," Jamison said. "Many evacuees feel so welcome here in Arlington that they want to stay. These donations will help them in the long-term transition from our emergency shelters into our community."

Funds will be distributed based on need by six Arlington relief organizations who have been instrumental in sheltering, clothing and feeding evacuees: Mission Arlington, North Davis Church of Christ, Arlington Life Shelter, Mission Metroplex, Mayfield Road Baptist Church, and the Salvation Army.

Bobby Bridges, a volunteer chaplain who has helped coordinate the relief organizations, said the emergency shelter workers know the evacuees, understand their individual situations, and are in the best position to make decisions to help them.

"They are already helping them move into permanent housing and find jobs and transportation," Bridges said. "Through this sponsorship fund effort, your family, church, civic organization or corporation can start preparing families for a successful future here in Arlington. Many churches will start collecting money for this fund this weekend."