Many Lawrence area businesses and groups have announced benefits to help evacuees and those whose homes Hurricane Katrina destroyed.

In one instance, a Lawrence apartment complex has offered to pay $1,500 to help those displaced move to the area and rent a two-bedroom apartment from Highpointe near Kansas University at a discounted rate.

“We were all in shock and hope that they can get the right help,” said Donna Frentrop, district manager for First Management Inc., the company that operates Highpointe.

Frentrop said the company’s president, Doug Compton, offered the same deal for a company-owned complex in Columbia, Mo.

Another Lawrence business contacted the Journal-World this week after they hired one New Orleans evacuee.

Kelli Nicks, of Amarr Garage Doors, said the business hired artist Stephen Quick to decorate Amarr’s cafe.

Quick, 26, was featured in the Journal-World on Sept. 1. Quick and his girlfriend, Glenda Swetman, evacuated to stay with his parents in Lawrence.

Several others have plans to aid.

¢ Students at Cordley School will sell popcorn to raise funds for Katrina victims at 3:45 p.m. today at the school. For more information, call the school at 832-5640.

¢ A hurricane benefit concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Swarthout Recital Hall at KU. Reservations are available by contacting the Lied Center Box Office at 864-ARTS, or by first-come-first serve basis at the door Tuesday evening. A donation of $10 or more is requested, said Michael Kirkendoll, a KU graduate student.

¢ KU’s chapter of Psi Chi, a psychology national honor society, will donate one-third of its chapter dues for fall inductees to the American Red Cross, according to a statement from the group.

¢ FYI Club and Lawrence High students will sponsor a walk-a-thon from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the LHS track. Donations and proceeds will benefit refugees. The groups seek donations of water and snacks for the walkers. For more information, call Lynisha Thomas at 832-5050, ext. 231.

¢ Baker University faculty, staff and students continue to collect items to donate for United Methodist Committee on Relief Sager-Brown of Baldwin, La., through Sept. 23.

¢ Lone Oak Hunting Sports of Lecompton will sponsor a benefit shoot from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1-2 at 1719 East 150 Road in Lecompton. The club will donate proceeds to the American Red Cross. For more information, call (785) 887-8051.

¢ Eight Lawrence restaurants will donate different portions of their proceeds earned Oct. 5 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help hurricane victims as part of a Dine for America, a national campaign by the National Restaurant Assn. Participating Lawrence restaurants are Wheatfields Bakery; Free State Brewing Co.; Teller’s; Zen Zero; La Parrilla; Bambino’s Italian Cafe; Pachamama’s; and Vermont Street BBQ.