Knight Ridder Raises $640,000 for 'Sun Herald' Staffers

By: Jennifer Saba Employees from all of Knight Ridder's properties -- and some friends and family -- pulled together $320,000 for their colleagues at The Sun Herald in Biloxi, Miss., who suffered from Hurricane Katrina. Knight Ridder is matching the money for a total of $640,000.

The fund officially closed on Nov. 15, though Knight Ridder spokeswoman Lee Ann Schlatter said that checks keep trickling in. Most of the money consisted of personal donations from company employees that ranged from $20 to $500. Schlatter said there were many checks for several hundred dollars.

"People that lost really lost," she said.

So far, Knight Ridder has distributed tax-free donations totaling $525,000 to 150 employees at the Sun Herald since the beginning of November. Some employees who received checks could see more on the second round as the Sun Herald evalutes who gets the remaining money of about $115,000. The paper has 250 people on staff, though money was given to those with the most need.

Employees had to fill out a form with estimates of their damage along with the extent of their insurance coverage to determine eligibility. Even renters who lost their lease qualified.

Knight Ridder has started funds in the past for the victims of Hurricane Andrew and of the flood that hit Grand Forks, N.D., but Schlatter said this was the most money that has been raised.

The impact of Hurricane Katrina can still be felt on this Gulf Coast city and by extension the Sun Herald.

In mid-November home delivered copies were down 18%, but single copies are selling "phenomenally -- at record levels," Schlatter said. The paper still is reestablishing home-delivery routes and is in need of more carriers.

Advertising is starting to pick up. As of mid-November, about 70% of the paper's advertisers were back. As expected, classified help-wanted, auto, and national is strong along with non-traditional categories that include building materials, contractors, and insurance.

Even retail is on the comeback. Both malls in the city opened in time for "black Friday" -- yet anchor store Dillards is still closed -- and Best Buy pushed up its plans to open a store originally slated for the spring. And three casinos, including the Isle of Capri and the Palace, have scheduled to open their doors at the end of December.