Armed with a large plastic jar labeled "Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund
Donations", Robert Trainorasked his fellow golfers from the DeBell
Burbank Senior Men's Golf Club to play a round of golf at their
monthly tournament on Friday to aid the victims of hurricane Katrina.
Trainor is one of several Burbank residents finding ways to help
victims of the hurricane that struck the Gulf Coast area of the
United States in late August, leaving as many as a million homeless
and thousands dead.
Other local efforts include school donation drives, pancake
breakfasts and lemonade stands. Woodbury University is opening up
classes to allow displaced students to continue their studies.
Trainor felt compelled to set up the donation jar during the
registration for the tournament after watching television reports on
the hurricane's devastation.
"Here we're better off, all playing golf, and they don't have
water to drink," Trainor said. "It was the least we could do."
Club members donated $364 in the moments leading up to the
tournament, which Trainor took down to the Red Cross with
instructions that it be used to help hurricane victims.
"As far as I'm concerned, any little bit can help," he said. "If
everyone did the same thing, hopefully they'd be overwhelmed with
enough resources to get what they need."
In the frenzy of returning to a new school year, students at
Jordan Middle School found time to conduct a drive on Friday that
raised $3,360, Associated Student Body Advisor Kathy Hodgins.
"I was really impressed," said Hodgins. "This is a way for all of
us to think of people other than ourselves and a way for the kids to
feel connected to bigger problems."
Associated Student Body President Tiffany Ho, who helped conduct
the drive, said she felt compelled to help other Americans who are in
need.
"We don't have hurricanes here and we need to help because they're
part of the U.S.," said Tiffany. "I'm happy because I know people
here want to help them."
Students at John Muir Middle School are holding their own drive
through Sept. 20. For additional incentive, Principal Dan Hacking has
offered to have his head completely shaved at the school's upcoming
Family Fun Night if the students raise more than $1,500. If the
students raise more than $2,000 he will have his hair shaved into a
Mohawk and if they raise more than $2,500 he will have the Mohawk
colored.
Students are well on their way to a bald principal, having already
raised more than $1,000, Muir's Associated Student Body advisor
Marcia Reily said.
