Local organizations contributing aid to the hurricane victims.

Local organizations contributing aid to the hurricane victims.
A discussion on citizenship in the history classes taught by Penny Wells at Volney Rogers Middle School, Youngstown, prompted pupils to launch their own fund drive to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. They organized a carwash and a bake sale and collected donations to raise more than $1,100 to give to the American Red Cross. An anonymous donor matched the first $1,000 raised, bringing the total to more than $2,100. Principal Marilyn Mastronarde and assistants Tim Kelte and Diana Walton offered to dress in any fashion the pupils wanted if the initial $1,000 goal was reached. The pupils had a celebratory party Friday and, on Monday, Mastronarde will appear in school as a leprechaun, Kelte will be dressed as Elvis, and Walton will be a sumo wrestler.
St. Rose School pupils and the St. Rose Youth on the Move teen group, Girard, have joined forces to collect clothing and other items to benefit victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as their contribution to National Make A Difference Day on Oct. 22. The collections will begin at the St. Rose Apple Fest on Oct. 15 and will conclude with a drive-through drop-off at the old school Oct. 22-23. Used suitcases will also be collected and used to pack the clothing. The drive is focusing on the needs of infants and children. Diapers, formula, blankets, T-shirts and onesies, booties and bibs, pacifiers, digital thermometers, infant and children's Tylenol, shampoo and lotion, wash cloths and towels, shoes and socks, coloring books and crayons and children's books and Bibles are all on the list of items being sought.
A benefit concert for members of the New Orleans Police Department and their families affected by Hurricane Katrina is set for Oct. 27 at Salty Grogs, 1601 S. Raccoon Road, Austintown. The fund-raiser, organized by Youngstown State University's Alpha Phi Signa Criminal Justice Honor Society, will feature several local bands from 7 p.m. to midnight. A $10 minimum donation per ticket is required. Doors open at 6 p.m.