Local hurricane aid efforts

Citizens Tri-County Bank will match hurricane donations made to the Red Cross. The bank, located at 101 West Main Street in downtown, has announced it will match dollar-for-dollar any donations to the Red Cross for Hurricane relief. Make your cash donation go further by bringing your donation to the downtown branch.
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A trailer is located at Three Star Mall to receive items that will be taken to Biloxi, Miss. Items will be accepted until the truck fills up and the goal is to have a volunteer on site 24 hours a day.
Almost any non-perishable items are accepted such as food, water, personal items, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, bathroom tissue, baby and children items and many other items. Donations will also be accepted for gas to fill the truck to get to its destination.
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Local residents are joining with Myers Computer to gather non-perishable items for hurricane victims this Saturday at Cumberland Plaza.
Local truck drivers James Madewell and Chris Morton will be donating their time and their truck to personally drive the items to Biloxi, Miss., and surrounding areas.
Non-perishable items will be accepted this Saturday, Sept. 10 beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot by Myers Computers. Organizers plan to stay most of the day, or until the truck is full.
Items such as baby food, diapers, bottled water, canned food, can openers, toothpaste, soap, toilet paper, towels, plates, utensils, shampoo, backpacks, etc., are among those requested.
The truck isn’t scheduled to leave until Sept. 16 so if you have items you would like to donate, but can’t do so tomorrow, call 474-8143 to make arrangements.
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Central Church of Christ has donated $10,000 to help meet the basic needs of victims of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding along America’s Gulf Coast.
Combined with over $16,000 in other donations, Central is sending some $26,000 to the Gulf Coast area.
Central is also serving a collection point for other congregations and individuals who wish to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina, described by federal and state officials as likely the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.
Food, clothing, shelter and other forms of assistance are distributed to everyone according to need, without regard to any religious affiliation or belief, church leaders emphasized.
On the local front, Central’s benevolence program is issuing a special appeal for donations of bedding, including bed frames, mattresses and box springs.
“We sent out four beds last week to burn-out victims, and we have a shortage of those items now,” Central’s Joe Braxton said. “If people have some bed furniture they they’d like to recycle for the benefit of their less fortunate neighbors, they’re invited to call us at 473-6537 to arrange for pickup.”