Southern Nevadans continue to donate money, equipment

Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2005 | 9:03 a.m.

More help is on the way from Southern Nevadans donating time, money and equipment to the hurricane victims.

In 48 hours, the Dawson students raised $11,800 and collected 61 boxes packed with diapers and toiletries to help relief efforts for displaced and weary residents along the Gulf Coast.

Dawson students teamed up with the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter and Ronald McDonald House to gather funds and supplies.

"It's important to remember that this relief effort for Hurricane Katrina victims was not initiated by teachers or administrators," said H. Michael Hughes, Dawson's headmaster.

"These children came to us with their ideas, which were fueled by a universal love and compassion for others," Hughes said.

Jan Nitz, wife of Owen Nitz, spearheaded a donation drive to help those in Biloxi, Miss.

Nitz and her daughters, Ashley, Stacey and Gina, family friends and neighbors gathered enough items to fill a tractor-tractor truck with clothes, shoes, purses, toys, books, toiletries and other necessities.

Nitz also got help from the Assistance League of Las Vegas, the Imperial Palace, the American Help Foundations, Mountain View Lutheran School and generous people from around the valley.

In addition, Southern Nevada Movers located near Craig and Losee roads filled up the remaining space in the truck with items from their warehouse. The truck will go to the Imperial Palace Mississippi.

As part of a national network of area health education centers, Southern Nevada Area Health Education, affiliated with the University of Nevada School of Medicine, is responding to a plea for help from Susan Moreland, executive director of North Louisiana AHEC in Shreveport, La. The local staff will help coordinate volunteer efforts in Louisiana.