Red Cross seeks 40,000 volunteers

Baton Rouge, La. ? The American Red Cross is looking for a few good volunteers – about 40,000 – said John Degnan, a weary spokesman for the nonprofit relief organization on Saturday.

That many people will be needed to carry on the relief effort, which is expected to last for months. The Red Cross is currently operating 675 shelters in 23 states and the District of Columbia and needs volunteers to undergo training to keep the shelters open.

“This is a disaster of such scope and significance, it is not going to go away in a few weeks or even a few months,” he said. “We’ve never had a recruitment drive in the history of the Red Cross for 40,000 volunteers.”

American volunteers have been helped by volunteers from around the world who have flown in to lend a hand.

And individuals and governments around the world are sending assistance to the Gulf Coast, with contributions ranging from an elderly woman’s life savings in Lithuania of 1,000 euros to South Korea, which offered 2 tons of disposable diapers.

“It’s all very, very welcome and very much appreciated,” Joseph Sullivan, U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe, said of the offerings of help.

He said 115 countries and 12 international organizations have contributed to the cause, totaling an estimated $700 million in supplies and cash. About $460 million has been cash contributions through organizations such as the American Red Cross and the fund overseen by former Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush.

Despite early reports of more than 1,000 foreign citizens listed as missing in the hurricane aftermath, Sullivan said nine have been confirmed dead. And the list of missing is down to a few hundred.

Lawrence relief efforts

Lawrence groups plan to help Hurricane Katrina victims:
¢ Members of Free State High Marching Band swill perform a benefit concert from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. today in the 700 block of Massachusetts Street.
¢ Kansas University graduate students will hold a hurricane benefit concert 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.
¢ MRA Company in McLouth seeks donations and equipment, such as trucks, flat bed trailers and basic police equipment, to aid law enforcement agencies in areas Katrina hit. Contact Joseph Nave at (913) 796-6464.
¢ Laird Noller will donate proceeds to Heart to Heart to assist Katrina victims.
¢ FYI Club and Lawrence High students will sponsor a walk-a-thon from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the LHS track. 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.
¢ The Westside Deli & Bistro will have a benefit dinner Oct. 1, said owner Michael Levy. For more information, visit www.westsiddelibistro.com or call 840-9044.
¢ 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. Call (785) 887-8051.
¢ The Micro-Perfumery of Baldwin will donate $20 of every online purchase to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. The store is online at www.microperfume.com.
¢ Eight Lawrence restaurants will donate on Oct. 5 as part of 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.