Help for the victims of Hurricane Katrina continues to pour from the hearts of Lincoln County residents.

Listed below are some of the relief efforts that have been and are currently being conducted by local citizens:

The Junior Beta Club at LCMS raised $2,000 for the hurricane victims. The students collected $997, including a $500 donation made by the Cheer Devils. The club then matched the funds to bring the total to $2,000 which will be forwarded to the American Red Cross.

Club advisors Tonya Burt and Stacey Radford extended a special thank-you to all who made donations to this worthy cause, especially the Cheer Devils.

Maggie Dekreon (l) and Cassie Smith, vice president of the LCHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes, are shown signing Bibles for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The Lincoln Iron Horse Motorcycle Club donated approximately $1,000 worth of food, over 3,000 Tshirts, and cleaning supplies to the hurricane victims.

Post 194 of the American Legion collected money, food, cleaning supplies, paper products, eating utensils, flashlights, batteries, children’s books, and other goods for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The monetary donations were sent The Junior Beta Club at LCMS has raised $2,000 to help with relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Pictured relaxing after a long day of collecting donations are: (seated, l-r) Trey Burt, Franklin Sherman, Tiara Wynn, (standing) Meg Ball, and Billy McWhorter. to the American Legion Department of Georgia National Emergency Fund and the American Red Cross; whereas, the foodstuffs and other items will be transported to Mississippi by Chad Freeman.

Also involved in the relief effort were the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 194 and the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 194.

A spokesman for the American Legion expressed his appreciation to Chad Freeman for using his trailer and time to deliver the items to the Katrina victims.

The LCHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) met Monday, September 12, in the school gymnasium to sign Bibles for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The students highlighted their favorite Bible verses and wrote notes of encouragement to those whose lives have been turned upside down by the hurricane.

The FCA members also prayed for the people in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Concerning another FCA initiative to help the victims of the storm, the group raised $1,200 through school, local business, and community donations.

The money and Bibles will be sent to two different churches housing hurricane victims in Louisiana: Lifetime Foundation in Baker, Louisiana, and Oak Grove Baptist Church in Eros, Louisiana.

Both of these churches have Lincoln County ties. The associate pastor of the Lifetime Foundation is Ken Ellis, who is the brother of Howard Ellis, a coach and teacher at LCHS, while Scott Thompson, the pastor of Oak Grove Baptist Church, attended seminary with Keith Etheridge, the pastor of Double Branches Baptist Church.

In her comments, FCA advisor Christie Mattison said, “The FCA would like to thank the school, local businesses, and the community for their support in these efforts. We would especially like to thank Frank Hester, the Greater CSRA FCA area director, for donating some of the Bibles. Also, a thank-you goes out to Dana O’Neill for picking up the extra Bibles in Augusta that were purchased for this cause.”

Doug Harmon and Chad Freeman will be taking a trailer filled with food and other items to the New Orleans area on Friday, September 23.

Donations may be delivered to the OES (Office of Emergency Services) office on School Street or placed in the trailer which will be parked at the courthouse until noon today (Thursday).

A list of the items needed by the evacuees includes bottled water; canned goods; baby juice, food, formula, diapers, and wipes; toiletries (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc.); hand sanitizer; cleaning supplies; toilet paper; school supplies; Gatorade; power bars; soft drinks; and tarps.

Clothing will not be accepted

The young people at Mulberry C.M.E. will be hosting a charity softball game on Saturday, September 24, beginning at noon. The game will take place at the “Old Maxim Braves Ballfield.” Watch for the signs.

In addition to monetary donations, the church is asking spectators to bring non-perishable food items, bottled water, toiletries, and baby items to the game.

For more information, call Travis Reed at 706-359-3967.