TAMPA, Fla. – The catastrophes playing out across the Gulf Coast and New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina hits close to home for GTE Federal Credit Union staffers. Four branches staffed by some 27 employees are located in New Orleans. GTE FCU acquired the branches in a merger with New Orleans Municipal Employees Credit Union in the fall of 2004. GTE FCU's senior management team have been unable to assess the damage to the employees' homes and to the branch facilities because of the extensive damage and flooding which has hampered communications into and out of the region. The GTE FCU Charitable Foundation board of directors has voted to match member donations to the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund dollar for dollar. GTE FCU has posted a banner on its Web site, www.gtefcu.org, with information about how credit union members can contribute to the Katrina Relief Fund and video posters also began airing in GTE FCU branches on August 31 encouraging employees and members to make donations.