Katrina: We're all in this together
Help is on the way to the Gulf Coast in so many ways from the Flathead Valley. In typical fashion, local folks wasted no time organizing myriad fund-raisers to raise money for Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.
And those who could headed south themselves to do their part in helping that area recover from the worst natural disaster in America's history.
Four Kalispell firefighters are in New Orleans for the next month, working 16-hour days. Kalispell Fire Chief Randy Brodehl summed it up, saying that other fire departments around the country "would have the same response to us if we had a major disaster. It is our country and it is a national emergency."
A crew of Bigfork firefighters, too, is lending a hand in the hurricane aftermath.
Local pastors hauled 2,000 Bibles to Baton Rouge and plan to stay awhile, counseling and praying with evacuees. Tree trimmers packed up their chain saws and plan to spend three weeks in Mississippi removing downed trees.
Many other local people, from Red Cross representatives to church volunteers, are on the way to the storm-ravaged coast as well.
On the home front, those wanting to help can take their pick from a number of fund-raisers. Here's a quick rundown of the many projects under way:
-Elementary school students are selling zucchini and banana bread, lemonade and other baked goods all day today at a stand at 1034 Fourth Ave. East in Kalispell. Proceeds go to the Red Cross.
-Stumptown Quilt guild has challenged area quilters to make twin bed-sized quilts for evacuees. Quilts can be dropped off at the Back Door General Store, 131 Central Ave. in Whitefish. The Montana Cares Quilt Project has also asked quilters to donate quilts; call Karen Tinney at (406) 675-0792.
-If you've got extra stuff lying around the house, plan to contribute it to an areawide garage sale Oct. 1-2 at the Flathead County fairgrounds. Proceeds go to the Red Cross and Salvation Army for Katrina relief. Items can be dropped off at the fairgrounds Sept. 28-30.
-Montana Coffee Traders is donating all of its brewed coffee sales on Wednesday to hurricane victims.
-A relief benefit dinner is offered during Andre Floyd and Mood Iguana's concert Sept. 24 at The Knead Cafe; call 755-7510.
-Students all across the valley are organizing coin-contribution drives to raise money.
-Flathead High School students have organized a fund-raising campaign, including selling remembrance bracelets, that is producing hundreds of dollars.
-And a lineup of musical groups is offering eight hours of music Sunday at the Eagles in Kalispell to benefit Katrina's victims.
Efforts large and small (several children are setting up fund-raising lemonade stands) are adding up to a big community outpouring of support.
So take your pick of fund-raisers. It behooves every one of us to do our small part to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We're all Americans; we're all in this together.