In the wake of Hurricane Charley, which has left up to 15 dead and thousands homeless in Florida this past weekend, Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to help communities recover from the potential devastation brought on by the hurricane.

Donations will be used to fund local Catholic Charities agencies' emergency and long-term disaster relief efforts in areas hit by Charley.

Catholic Charities USA, which has been commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster, responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed.