Wayne 4-H assists in Katrina relief
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on September 20, 2005 1:45 PM
Wayne County 4-H'er and Pikeville resident Michael Atkins is collecting school supplies for children in Mississippi who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.
He is collecting items such as pencils, notebooks, rulers, binders -- basic school supplies. They may be dropped off at the 4-H office at the Wayne Center.
"Because of the disaster, they really can't afford the things that we can," he said. "So I believe that it's important for us in this time to actually buy these kinds of things. We should help them out because they don't have the opportunity."
For more information about the project, contact Michael at 242-2410.
Wayne County 4-H'ers and volunteer leaders are helping with hurricane relief through their Helping Hands, Healing Hearts project.
They will raise money and collect supplies for 4-H families affected by the hurricane in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
One of the ways they will do this is by having car washes Sept. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. for donations. Individual clubs will be holding car washes throughout the county. Some of the sites include: Wayne Center, Eastern Wayne Elementary School, Tommy's Road Elementary School, Northeast Elementary School, Northwest Elementary School, Carver Elementary School, Grantham School, Greenwood Middle School, Dillard Middle School, Goldsboro Middle School and Brogden Middle School.
Another way 4-H will help is through "Clover Packets." Clubs will fill shoeboxes with educational and recreational supplies that both children and adults can use while living in temporary housing. Items may include a letter of encouragement from a 4-H'er, coloring books, crayons, pens, paper, small books, pre-sharpened pencils, flashlights with batteries, small games, 4-H curriculum books and activity sheets for educational studies.
"Essential Kits" are also being assembled by 4-H'ers and leaders. They are boxes, book bags and plastic storage tubs filled with nonperishables, diapers, formula, wipes, hand sanitizer, bottled water, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, washcloths, laundry detergent, craft supplies, game supplies and first aid supplies. Those displaced by Katrina will receive these kits.
The kits should be labeled as age appropriate for infant to 1-year-old, 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 9 years old, 10 to 14 years old, 14 to 18 years old and adults. They should also be labeled for male or female.
Monetary donations, items and kits should be taken to the 4-H office no later than Oct. 6. Oct. 8 has been declared Helping Hands, Healing Hearts Day and supplies will be picked up and loaded onto a truck for delivery to hurricane victims.
Wayne County 4-H will also sell Helping Hands, Healing Hearts wristbands at the end of this month for $2 each to help with hurricane relief efforts.
For more information, contact Barbara Byers, 4-H program associate, at 731-1527.