Aldelano Offers Emergency 'Quick Kits' to Help Residents, Churches, Agencies Prepare for Disasters; Prompted by Hurricane Katrina, Kits Tailored for Men, Women, Infants; 4-in-1 Lifeline Manager is Cell Phone Charger/Flashlight/Radio/Flasher.

ONTARIO, Calif. -- Aldelano International Inc., a packaging company focused on disaster relief supplies, is offering emergency preparedness 'Quick Kits' tailored to men, women and infants to help residents, churches, government agencies, and other organizations prepare for hurricanes and other disasters.

The company has a series of Emergency Quick Kits designed to meet an individual's needs for the first 24 to 72 hours following a disaster as well as a 4-in-1 Lifeline Emergency Manager, a battery-free cell phone charger, flashlight, radio, and siren/flasher.

"Hurricane Katrina exposed a gap in emergency response programs to quickly respond to basic human needs for the first several hours following a disaster - especially when it comes to the special needs of women and children," according to Alfred Hollingsworth, Aldelano's president and chief executive officer.

Hollingsworth, who went to Katrina-ravaged areas last year to help with relief efforts, adds, "We saw that you can't meet the needs of an entire population with a one-size-fits-all emergency kit, so we created customized quick kits that are low cost, easy to store and distribute, and have a long shelf-life."

Aldelano's Emergency Quick Kits are contained in nylon fanny packs for easy portability and can be safely stored in homes, autos, businesses, schools and more. The company's product offerings include:

--Survival/Rations Kit. This kit sustains one adult for three days and contains emergency drinking water, which has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard; emergency blanket made of reflective material that can retain 90% of body heat; air-activated heat pack, which heats to an average of 124 degrees and can be used for up to 24 hours; light stick, good for 12 hours; a long-burning candle; waterproof matches; emergency food rations in nine pre-measured servings, and a first aid kit. The cost is $31.99.

--Baby Fundamentals Kit. Meeting all fundamental baby needs for 24 hours, this kit includes disposable baby diapers (12 medium/large), infant formula, wet wipes, emergency drinking water, baby food and juice, Pedialyte, dry cereal, diaper rash ointment, baby bottle, pacifier, spoon, thermometer, waste disposal bags, wash cloths, and emergency blanket. It costs $44.99.

--Toiletry/Sanitation Kit. Designed to meet the personal hygiene and sanitation needs for one adult male or female for 72 hours, the kit includes sanitary napkins, disposable underwear for men and women (medium/large), latex gloves, tooth brush, tissue, shampoo/body wash, wash cloths, toothpaste, razor, shaving cream, comb, deodorant, lotion, chap stick, wet wipes and soap. The kit costs $31.99.

--4-in-1 Lifeline Emergency Manager. This features a cell phone charger with multiple adaptors to fit most models, a flashlight, AM/FM radio with scanner, and a siren and flasher. Lightweight and portable, a unique 'U-Wind-It' power source allows it to operate without batteries or electricity, with one minute of cranking providing up to eight minutes of life-saving functions. The cost is $29.99.

To order Aldelano's emergency products, call 800-972-2599, or go to www.emergencyquickkits.com.

Hollingsworth, who also runs Aldelano Packaging Corp., one of the nation's leading minority-owned contract packaging companies, was perplexed by federal, state and local officials' inability to get food, water and basic supplies to people affected by Katrina.

He was also struck by the lack of emergency supplies for women and infants. "I was wondering what these babies were eating for nutrition. Babies don't eat military rations. And what were women doing to take care of their feminine hygiene needs?" he says, adding that he decided his company would fill the void.

"With disaster planners warning of a very active hurricane season, officials are urging people living in the most hurricane-prone areas to be prepared for the worst," says Hollingsworth. "Our products can be moved quickly to wherever they're needed but ideally, people should have them in advance of an emergency."