Lake Orion residents and area churches are joining the rest of the country by pitching in to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Several area churches have already organized collections to help people living in the affected Gulf regions. Among those are:
Echo Christian Fellowship Church at 2840 W. Clarkston Road is working on putting together a can and coin drive with other groups in the community.
Cans will be collected at the Kroger store on Lapeer Road.
For more information, contact the church at 693-8179.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, located at 715 N. Lapeer Road. Envelopes were handed out to parishioners at mass on Sept. 3-4.
To drop off a donation of cash or a check for the Archdiocese of Detroit/Catholic Charities USA, the church office is open 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon.-Thurs., and until 5 p.m. on Fri. (closed for lunch).
1St. Joe’s office can be reached at 693-0440, ext. 200.
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 1950 S. Baldwin Road will collect cash and checks for Lutheran World Relief. Members of TRIVENT will have their donations matched 50 cents to every dollar.
The church office is open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Fri., and checks should be made out to either Good Shepherd Lutheran or LCMS World Relief/Human Care, with Hurricane Relief in the notation.
The Lake Orion United Methodist Church at 140 E. Flint will collect cash and checks for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief).
For more information, contact the church at 693-6201.
The State of Michigan is also sending help. Orion State Representative Jim Marleau recently announced that 275 Michigan Guard troops will leave immediately for the Gulf Coast, to assist with relief efforts.
This follows the Michigan House’s unanimous approval on Aug. 31 of $1 million in state emergency funding to be sent to help hurricane victims.
‘Our hearts go out to our fellow Americans in the Gulf Coast states,? he said. ‘We are sending help along with our thoughts and prayers.?
Michigan is part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact with 48 other states.
Under the EMAC compact, Michigan will be reimbursed for the cost of its operations.
Michigan residents are encouraged to donate to relief efforts that provide a variety of necessary services, such as clean-up, child care, housing repair, crisis counseling, shelter and food.
Financial contribution can also be made to the American Red Cross.
To do so, call (313) 833-2664, or visit www.semredcross.org to donate securely online.
You can also donate by sending a check in the mail to the American Red Cross-Southeastern Michigan Chapter, Development Office, P.O. Box 441280, Detroit, MI, 48244-1280.
If you are trying to located a loved one in the affected areas, and it’s a medical or mental health emergency, you can contact the Red Cross at (313) 833-8816 for assistance.
To volunteer locally, visit your Red Cross office, or call (313) 494-2863, or visit www.semredcross.org. The Red Cross provides free training.
The Red Cross does not accept donations of clothing, water and other items.