Aid for victims

Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 | 8:36 a.m.

Southern Nevada organizations offering aid to the victims of Hurricane Katrina include the following:

Volunteers are needed to help collect and assemble the packages. For more information or to donate your time call 258-1995.

For more information about how to help contact the Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada at 892-2321.

The public is encouraged to attend the event to participate and help raise monies to assist the victims. All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. The benefit will feature live music and dozens of raffle prizes.

For more information or to make a raffle prize or cash donation, visit the www.excellencemgmt.com website.

Students interested in finding out more about the program and the free courses can do so at www.SloanSemester.org.

Some of the items the dealerships are asking people to donate include bottled water, personal hygiene products, towels, blankets, first-aid supplies, diapers, cots and tents. Local residents can also drop off monetary donations for the Red Cross at both dealerships. All donations should be made out to: American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Relief Fun.

Donations will be accepted at the cashier cages in both locations of People's Auto Center at 6401 Centennial Center Blvd., or 6501 Centennial Center Blvd.

Hurricane victims in areas without telephone service or internet access should go to the nearest post office and complete a change-of-address form, submit it to a postal retail associate at the counter or mail it -- it's postage free.

Postal employees are encouraged to call the number so they can receive important job related information and, if they receive paper payroll checks rather than electronic deposits, so they can be paid.

So far, 50 wheelchairs have been taken to Texas by Southwest Airlines, said John Williams, executive director of the Wheelchair Foundation. When a way can be found, 350 wheelchairs will be taken to Mississippi, he said.

To date the organization has given more than 2,600 wheelchairs to anyone in Nevada who needs, but cannot afford, one. Its goal is to donate 8,000 wheelchairs. For more information, on the foundation or to make a donation, visit www.WheelchairsforNevada.org, or call (702) 794-3180 or 1-800-851-3706.