Lords of Leather

Hurricane Relief Fund Inc.

The Lords of Leather continue their efforts to maintain this unique fund in anticipation of future disasters that will inevitably accompany life in our coastal areas.  The krewe still accepts any donations as a federal chartered 501(c)3 organization to the fund and returns to doners proper credentials for IRS reporting.

The Lords of Leather, New Orleans, announce the formation of Lords of Leather Hurricane Relief Fund Inc. (LLHRI).  This charitable organization was established in November, 2005 in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster that occurred within the leather communities of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.  It was formed as a Louisiana corporation separate from the existing Lords of Leather organization, both financially and structurally.  The Fund received its IRS status as a 501(c)3 non-profit charity in late December, 2005. 

The purpose of the Fund is to provide charitable relief to individuals in need who have had their lives, homes, and livelihoods destroyed as a result of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Wilma and other future qualifying natural disasters impacting the Gulf Coast of the United States.  Targeting members of our leather family, the Fund is unique in its response outside the bounds of regular public based organizations such as the Red Cross and Volunteers of America.

"...relief funds for this and other disasters are not Leather Tribe based. Our purpose is to collect and distribute donations specifically for members of the Leather Family, not recognized by broad based public programs." quoted by Mike Zuhl, President DCI Productions and copied per www.leathersir.com.

“As we move forward with our fund raising efforts we will expand our goals and purpose to assist those individuals in need.  We will also continue to gather donations from our leather family throughout the world in this effort.  The Fund is designed to continue for many years to come as the premier facilitator of such need to the leather community of the Gulf Coast.” stated Todd Cole, Fund President and Mr. Louisiana Leather 2001 in an interview with The New York Times

The application process for receipt of these funds specifically within the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina, is in progress and will be available shortly on the Lords of Leather web site www.lordsofleather.com.  Confidential applications will be accepted and reviewed by LLHRI.  The Board of Directors for LLHRI consists of:

Todd Cole, President

George Hester, Vice President

Ernie O'Steen, Treasurer

Dr. Timm Holt, Secretary

The first major funding grant was received from DCI Productions/International LeatherSIR & Leatherboy.  LLHRI greatly appreciates the tremendous response through phone calls, fund raisers, and donations to the Fund from our worldwide leather family, but the need continues to grow.

Many of the material needs of our leather community have been met in the months after Katrina.  During 2008 both Hurricane Gustov and Ike reminded many of the vulnerability and possible needs of our leather brothers and sisters.  The krewe remains committed to the cause of the fund and continue to raise money for future needs.

FUND Updates

January 30, 2006 - Application for assistance goes for legal review and is now available as a PDF soon.   Press Release

February 20, 2006 - The application is completed and the FAQ is published.

February 28, 2006 - Additional Fundraising information available

March 06, 2006 - Press Release issued

March 14, 2006 - Article appears in the New York Times.

March 15, 2006 - FAQ and Application available online. 

August 29, 2006 - FOX News transcript,

August 29, 2006 - President's email to members / supporters (*note this email has been modified to remove the addresses of those intended recipients.)

June, 2011 - IRS confirmed continuing status as 501.C3 charitable organization.