Mathews High School students in Vienna have raised $4,120 in donations from students, parents and

Mathews High School students in Vienna have raised $4,120 in donations from students, parents and local businesses toward the American Red Cross' Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, said Sandie Webber, an English teacher, who organized the collection. Seventh-period classes competed against one another in the drive. The class that raised the most money per student was Jane Penny's art class at $40.55 per student, for a total of $689, and those students will get a free lunch paid for by Louis DeMarco, school principal. In second place per capita was Wendi Clagett's freshman and sophomore Spanish class, which raised $37.86 per student for a total of $1,091. The check was to be presented to local Red Cross officials in an assembly this afternoon. Some students raised money by selling athletic spirit pins and accepting donations to paint people's faces at last week's home football game against McDonald High School.
A fraternal organization representing members of the Howland Police Department is challenging area law enforcement agencies to donate money to get the New Orleans force back on its feet. Police Detective Jim Campbell, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 163, put out the challenge Thursday to departments in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Lodge 163, the social arm of the department, voted unanimously to donate $1,000 to kick off the challenge. Other members of the community can donate as well. The department is represented in labor issues by the Ohio Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. "They're in desperate need for equipment," Campbell said. He stressed the money will not be used for civilian relief efforts in the aftermath of the massive damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. "This is to help our fellow brothers in blue," Campbell said. "This is strictly for the New Orleans Police Department."
The employees of Greenwood Chevrolet in Austintown stepped up to cover the cost of car repairs for a family of evacuees from St. Bernard Parish, La. Jean Malandro, social service director for Salvation Army Mahoning County Area Services, said the family put the car in the dealership repair shop believing a local social service agency would pay the bill. Due to miscommunication, the agency could not make the payment. Money collected by Greenwood employees went to the family because Greenwood donated the parts, and the technician who made the car repairs donated the labor.
Special Event DJs and DJ Mikey Mike Entertainment are sponsoring a benefit for Hurricane Katrina victims from 1 to 9 p.m. Sept. 25 at Crest Lanes banquet facilities, 3390 Youngstown Road S.E., Warren.