Former U.S. presidents expand One America Appeal for hurricane relief

HOUSTON – The One America Appeal effort, led by all five living former U.S. presidents, is expanding to include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after Hurricane Maria.

Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama appeared in a video and first asked Americans to respond to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey. 

That effort was recently expanded to include Florida after Hurricane Irma.

Individuals, foundations and institutions can make tax-deductible donations at OneAmericaAppeal.org.

Jim McGrath, spokesman for former President George H.W. Bush, noted in a press release that people who choose to donate can choose to help all three recovery efforts or to direct their donation to a specific recovery effort.

Funds donated to the One America Appeal are received in a special restricted account established by the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library Foundation. The other funds designated to receive support through the One America Appeal are: the Florida Disaster Recovery Fund; the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund focusing on the greater Houston region; and the Rebuild Texas Fund assisting communities across the state.