By Kevin Jefferies
Hunt County – Refugees have been arriving daily in Hunt County. The following are contacts for those who wish to aid in Hurrican Katrina relief efforts in the local area.
(Thanks to the Greenville Herald Banner for much of the following contact information. www.heraldbanner.com ).
----The Wolfe City masonic Lodge is accepting contributions to be donated to hospitals in Louisiana that are treating injured children of Hurrican Katrina.
----The Commerce Bargain Box is gathering clothing for refugees. Donations can be made at the First Methodist Church in Commerce.
----The Commerce Ministerial Alliance and Salvation Army along with the First United Methodist Church, United Way, and Rotary Club are accepting donations to help defray hotel and other costs for Katrina refugees locally. 903.886.3220.
----Sue Porter of Texas A&M University-Commerce is leading efforts to furnish meals for local refugees. 903.886.8933 or 903.456.4124.
----A&M-Commerce Student Body President Cameron Reynolds is leading an effort to assist the Holiday Inn Express in Commerce with refugee relief efforts. 903.886.4777.
----Derald Harper's horticulture club will be mowing and trimming lawns to raise funds for the Red Cross. Mowing is set for September 10th. 903.886.5367 or Derald_Harp@tamu-commerce.edu.
----Texas A&M University-Commerce staff or faculty willing to host refugee families can contact Penny Belcher at 903.468.8170 or Penny_Belcher@tamu-commerce.edu.
----Other relief efforts to collect food, clothing, toys, and other items to aid local refugees are being coordinated by Steven Taylor and Amanda Bowyer of A&M-Commerce. Excess donations will got to refugees at the Renion Center shelter, now known as "Reunion City".
Steven Taylor: 903.468.4637 or Steven_Taylor@tamu-commerce.edu.
Amanda Bowyer: 903.886.5791 or Amanda_Bowyer@tamu-commerce.edu. ----American Red Cross Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund: 1.800.HELP.NOW.
----The Salvation Army of Hunt County is seeking contributions for national relief efforts. 903.455.1875.
----The United Way of Hunt County is collecting school suplies and clothing for evacuees in Hunt County. 903.455.7414.
----The Hunt County Health Department and other county offices are accepting donations through Brookshires stores, and at the Hunt County Courthouse Today, Wednesday, and next Friday.
----The Texas Department of Transportation has a collection center set up in their offices at 3001 East Interstate 30 in Greenville.
----A benefit car wash is scheduled for Sunday from 1 to 5pm at Brookshires in Greenville with proceeds going to the Red Cross Relief Fund.
----Bank One and Chase Banks have established a special account for Red Cross, and are donating $1 million, as well as matching up to $1 million more of employee contributions.
----The Northeast Medical Center is collecting items for Hurricane Katrina victims. Items may be brought to the front entry of the hospital.