Travel Plazas Aid Victims Through The NATSO Foundation Disaster Relief Program

    ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 2 As Portland and Seattle area
residents recover from widespread earthquake damage and northern Mississippi
begins to rebuild after damage caused by a tornado that swept through last
Saturday, area truckstops and travel plazas are helping to keep American Red
Cross disaster personnel on the road.  Travel plazas and truckstops that are
providing free fuel and other transportation services to Red Cross emergency
vehicles include TravelCenters of America in Troutdale, Ore. and Portland,
Ore. and Pilot Travel Center in New Albany, Miss.
    The NATSO Foundation, the public outreach arm of the travel plaza and
truckstop industry, formed an agreement with the American Red Cross to help
that organization assist those who have been victimized by hurricanes,
tornadoes and other natural disasters.  Over 650 travel plazas and truckstops
across the nation have formally signed on to assist the American Red Cross in
the aftermath of regional or national disasters.  Travel plazas have donated
over 12,000 gallons of fuel, as well as meals, truck washes and other services
to Red Cross personnel since the industry's disaster relief program began in
1996.
    "The truckstops and travel plazas in Portland and Mississippi have a
strong commitment to supporting their community and helping the Red Cross,"
commented Tom Stanford, chairman of The NATSO Foundation.  "They realize how
important it is to support emergency response personnel as they prepare to
provide hot meals and emergency services to disaster victims."
    Authorities reported that the 6.8 magnitude quake in Seattle caused about
250 injuries and $1 billion in damages. Days earlier the tornado in
Mississippi killed five people, injured dozens and destroyed or damaged
hundreds of houses. In addition to fuel, meals and truck washes, The NATSO
Foundation also has donated five hundred $10 phone cards to disaster victims
in Mississippi.  This donation was made possible though a contribution to the
disaster relief program by ILD Telecommunications.
    Travel plaza operators started the relief program because of the
industry's own loss from disaster.  Eight years ago, a tornado stormed through
the Tulsa, Okla. area, crippling Bruce's Tulsa Truck Plaza and killing six
people there.  That truckstop has since reopened, and a memorial to the
deceased was erected on the site.

    The NATSO Foundation is the research, education and public outreach
affiliate of NATSO, Inc. (the professional association of America's travel
plaza and truckstop industry). The mission of The NATSO Foundation is to
conduct research and create knowledge that will benefit the travel plaza and
truckstop industry and secure its future; to provide educational opportunities
to industry employees; and to coordinate public outreach programs that benefit
the general public and enhance the industry.  For additional information about
The NATSO Foundation visit http://www.natsofoundation.org .