Sam Tenenbaum is affectionately known as General Patton with a worse disposition in his quest to help hurricane victims.

As of Tuesday September 12, the collaborative effort of volunteers, civic leaders, business people, corporations, educators, lawyers, and many others known as SC Cares, had helped over 649 families evacuated from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina at the once formerly unoccupied naval reserve building turned relief effort command center.

Red Cross representative Jenny Letour says the families have received $164,683 in direct assistance. David Zunker of the Columbia Convention Center and Visitors Bureau estimates 900 hotel rooms have been secured for evacuees and 275 rooms are currently occupied. As of Tuesday, FEMA was not sending anymore evacuees to Columbia.

Rick Kelly says USC will serve a supporting role with facilities and manpower. Sam Tenenbaum is coordinating the effort and says a few rules have been broken, but a disaster like this leaves us no choice and he believes the SC Cares organization will be a model for disaster relief efforts to come.

Red Cross representative Jenny Letour was proud to see all the diverse groups come together for the common good. Columbia Convention Center and Visitors Bureau representative David Zunker says 42 hotels offered their services. Maureen Swindel is coordinating efforts for the volunteers who guide evacuees through the processes. Community Relations Council representative Preston Winkler is helping to bring in congregations wanting to be involved. Tina Beard is working with Project Pet and others to help rescue and care for the pets from affected areas. Pets have included everything from dogs to a 9’ python. Wallace Brown set up the health center for SC Cares. He says medical volunteers are working around the clock to help those in need. Carole Khare Fowler of the Cooperative Ministries says Columbians overwhelmed them with generosity and much needed clothing. Anthony Hayes of Nelson Mullins started Operation Reunite which gets separated families back together. Anne Gillespie of the SC Bankers Association says local banks are helping evacuees with their financial needs. Bill Walker of DSS says his agency has served 450 families and has provided $6 to $7,000 in food stamps.