Local hurricane aid efforts

Centertown Elementary School’s student council held a fund-raiser and collected $1,352 for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The money will be donated to the Red Cross to fund its efforts to provide shelter, food and clothes to evacuees.

———
On Friday, Sept. 9 Cuttin’ Up Walk-in Salon, located at 719 N. Chancery Street, Suite 4, will be donating all its proceeds from 3-5 p.m. to Hurricane Katrina victims, according to owner and operator Cherri Taylor. For more information, call 473-2888.

———
HCA announced Thursday a donation of $1 million to the American Red Cross for disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Katrina. The company previously announced a donation of $1 million to the HCA Hope Fund for direct relief to its affected employees in the area.

“Hurricane Katrina is one of the most devastating natural disasters this country has seen,” said Jack O. Bovender, Jr., Chairman and CEO of HCA. “The magnitude of impact is only now becoming clear and beyond the already incredible efforts of our employees and affiliated physicians, we believe it important to reach out and support broader efforts.”

HCA has four hospitals in Louisiana and Mississippi that have been directly affected by the hurricane. Garden Park Medical Center in Gulfport, Miss., and Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, La., were damaged, but are operational.

Tulane University Hospital and Clinic in New Orleans and Lakeside Hospital in Metairie, La., are being evacuated.

The affected hospitals have approximately 3,800 employees, who will remain on payroll indefinitely. The company will, if they desire, relocate them and provide them with employment at other HCA-affiliated facilities across the country.

———
The Warren County chapter of the Red Cross, located at 203 W. Main St., will be open on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5, to take donations for Hurricane Katrina victims, according to director Kathy Nesmith.

Since many other businesses will be closed, High Funeral Home, located at 101 College St., will be acting as a drop-off point for Red Cross donations as well. For more information, call the Red Cross at 473-2595.

———
The employees of the Yorozu America Tennessee plant located in Morrison have undertaken a food drive to assist the hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast.

The plant has already sent several cases of water and clothes for the victims of this tragedy.

In addition, the plant made a donation of $20,000 for relief efforts. This tragedy has truly affected us all, and the employees of Yorozu have committed to do their part in the relief effort.