All,

In Cedar Rapids, we have experienced a devastating blow to our economy from the historic flooding. When the river crested at almost twelve feet higher than ever in recorded history, more than 3,900 homes were flooded as 1,300 city blocks were inundated with water.

Between 6,000 and 7,000 jobs were lost as hundreds of local and national businesses were flooded. Early damage estimates are already in the billions, and will rise.

It will take great effort to rebuild our economy to sustain growth in Cedar Rapids. A group of local businesses have teamed up with the Cedar Rapids and Marion Chambers of Commerce, the Jaycees, the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and several other local and national organizations to help bring economic relief to individuals and businesses affected by the flood.

We are holding an event, FloodStock 2008, as the vehicle to generate funds for this relief.

We would like to call upon you to help us rebuild our infrastructure as soon as possible. Please ask yourself what you or your organization can do to help our event be an overwhelming success.

Please contact:

Amy Stevens at Amy.Stevens@allianceclaimssolutions.com Matt Schultz at mschultz@infinitycontact.com or Jeffrey Kiley at jkiley@newspaperarchive.com to let us know what you can do to help.

Thank you.

• The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation
• 2008flood.org
• Corridor Recovery
• Floodlist
• 2008 Flood Resource Center
• FEMA
• Red Cross
• Salvation Army