The Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), which provides financial relief to craftspeople who have suffered career-threatening emergencies, recently announced that it is expanding the scope of its “A Month for CERF” event in September to include craft suppliers, in addition to galleries.

In 2001, 70 galleries helped CERF raise over $25,000, and with the addition of suppliers in 2002, CERF hopes to raise even more money to benefit craftspeople across the United States.

The organization reports that in 2001 it provided over $81,000 in emergency and disaster relief to 29 professional craftspeople. Illness, followed by injury, topped the list of emergencies in 2001, followed by $15,000 in total recovery assistance provided to four craftspeople after the February 2001 Nisqually earthquake hit the Pacific Northwest. In addition, CERF provided quick financial support to two craftspeople directly affected by the Sept. 11 attacks. CERF Associate Director Dorothy Bocian notes that of the 29 people assisted in 2001, only seven had business insurance coverage.

For more information, contact the Craft Emergency Relief Fund, (802) 229-2306, www.craftemergency.org.