During the weeks following Hurricane Katrina's devastation, concern for its victims has motivated the students in the elementary, middle and high schools of Loudoun County Public Schools to provide assistance. Here is a partial list of the volunteer efforts the students, parents and administrators have organized:
* Algonkian Elementary, school supplies drive to benefit the Caddo Parish Schools in Shreveport, La., and Hirsch Coliseum where 200 children are temporarily housed.
* Ashburn Elementary, "Ashburn Cares" to benefit the Red Cross evacuee center in Monroe, La., serving approximately 22,000 people. All of the schools in Ashburn have been invited to participate. The efforts are organized by the school's PTO. Ashburn Elementary has a truck on-site donated by PMC Interstate Van Lines to collect and send the requested items to the Red Cross in Monroe.
* Belmont Station Elementary, "Kid-to-Kid Donations" to benefit children affected by Hurricane Katrina. Families are donating a new pair of shoes, in their child's size, and a backpack on wheels stuffed with a few books to be sent to the children in shelters.
* Cedar Lane Elementary, "Operation Security Blanket" to benefit the littlest victims of Hurricane Katrina. Each class will make a quilt for a child who has lost everything in the hurricane. Each student will draw a picture illustrating what friendship means to them. The picture will be placed on an iron-on transfer then sewn on to a quilt. The quilts will then be distributed to the children.
* Countryside Elementary, American Red Cross Fund Drive and local family support to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina. Children are bringing in change and money saved or earned for the drive. Ten percent of the profits from the Sally Foster fund-raising efforts will be donated to the Red Cross. The PTA donated spirit wear, school supplies and a book bag for students who moved to the area from New Orleans. Staff is providing these students and their families with gift cards to local stores.
* Dominion Trail Elementary, Ashburn Cares to benefit the Red Cross Evacuee Center in Monroe, La., serving approximately 22,000 people. All of the schools in Ashburn have been invited to participate.
* Guilford Elementary, American Red Cross Fund Drive to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
* Hillsboro Elementary, "Coins for Kids Fund Drive" to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
* Hillside Elementary, "Hillside C.A.R.E.S. Fund Drive" to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Children Assisting Relief Efforts by Sharing is a school-wide community project planned to raise funds for Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. Students and parents are asked to participate in this character-building opportunity focusing on citizenship and community support. The community is asked to help by encouraging children to raise funds by doing extra chores and donating a portion of their allowance, having a family-game night instead of renting videos or going to the movies and donate the savings. The drive will continue throughout September.
* Horizon Elementary, Horizon stuffed-animal donations to benefit the small children of the families that have been relocated to the Washington, D.C., Armory or within the Gulf Region.
* Hutchinson Farm Elementary, coin drive, Sept. 9-23, to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
* Legacy Elementary, American Red Cross Fund Drive, school-supply fund drive and card-writing campaign to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and school-age children in Baton Rouge, La.
* Little River Elementary, hat day was held Sept. 9 to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The school community raised $1,676 to send to the Red Cross. The Little River PTA also is raising funds to support a family in Louisiana with two young sons.
* Lowes Island Elementary, relief fund bake sale to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. During the weekend parents, under the leadership of the PTO, helped students prepare baked goods to sell during snack time Sept. 12-13.
* Meadowland Elementary, hat day to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina that have relocated to Loudoun County. Students were asked to bring a small donation, even a penny, which would allow them to wear a hat all day in school. This was a joint venture with the school's Angel Fund. Approximately $1,200 was raised for both ventures.
* Mill Run Elementary, fund drive to benefit Bishop Perry Middle School, located in New Orleans. Gregory West, the assistant principal at Mill Run, taught his first year after college at Bishop Perry Middle School. The school is designed for at-risk boys and students who are in need. Many of the students come from the areas hardest hit in New Orleans. West has posted a picture of his first class of students above a collection bottle at the front of Mill Run. Donations will be sent directly to aid the families of Bishop Perry Middle School.
* Pinebrook Elementary, "Coins for Katrina" to benefit the students that have been evacuated and will be housed at Arcola Elementary School. The evacuees will be attending Pinebrook when they arrive. Pinebrook will purchase school supplies for the students with their donated funds.
* Potowmack Elementary, American Red Cross Fund Drive to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Children are encouraged to do extra chores around the house to earn a contribution. Children that contribute will sign a card in their classroom that will accompany the financial gift to the Red Cross.
* Sanders Corner Elementary, "Help Us Help Them Ñ Hurricane Katrina's Students," Sept. 16-21, to benefit a school in Pensacola, Fla., where Katrina evacuees will be relocated. Sanders Corner will be sending school supplies to those students who will eventually be starting school in Florida. Sanders Corner will also participate in the "Ashburn Cares" project.
* Sterling Elementary, Katrina fund-raising project to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Student representatives have organized a used-toy sale to take place in early October. On the days of the sale, students will bring in money to buy a toy or toys. The proceeds of the Toy Sale will be donated to the American Red Cross.
* Sugarland Elementary, "Sugar Bears Who Care" to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Each classroom teacher was given a bank in the shape of a bear for cash donations from students. Children have been encouraged to earn the donation by doing an extra chore or special job for their parents. Students will have the opportunity to sign a card that will accompany the check to the American Red Cross.
* Belmont Ridge Middle School, Belmont Ridge family fund-raiser, Sept. 9-23, to benefit the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
* Eagle Ridge Middle School, "Helping Hands Heart Club Fund Drive" to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The band also is planning a community benefit music festival at ERMS, presenting a mix of bands playing all day to raise funds for the American Red Cross. The faculty at Eagle Ridge is organizing a clothing drive to support a family in the Gulf Region.
* Mercer Middle School, fund drive to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Students have collected $1,100 for the fund drive. Additional donations were also collected at the back-to-school picnic held Sept. 9.
* River Bend Middle School, fund drive to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Under the leadership of Leah Andary, the SCA sponsor, River Bend students collected $2,407 for Katrina relief efforts.
* Seneca Ridge Middle School, fund drive to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The students at Seneca Ridge Middle raised $3,000 in three days. They have earned a day for wearing hats, using Walkmans during lunch and a pajama day. The guidance counselors will allow a group of students to give them makeovers and staff members Cheryl Hutchinson, Lynn Austin and Chris Souther will get a "pie in the face" during their grade level's lunch period. Seneca Ridge is working with their business partners to extend their efforts.
* Briar Woods High School, fund drive to benefit Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.
* Broad Run High School, "PEER Helpers Assistance" to benefit two Katrina evacuees who are now enrolled at Broad Run. The Broad Run PEER Helpers have led preparation to welcome two students from New Orleans with supplies and whatever else they will need to resettle.
* Dominion High School, fund drive to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The FCCLA (Family Community and Career Leaders of America) conducted a fund drive through the DHS clubhouses (homerooms). Approximately $2,200 was presented to the American Red Cross through their efforts.
* Park View High School, change collection fund drive, Sept. 8-23, to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The SCA at Park View conducted the fund drive in school and during back-to-school night Sept. 19.
* Stone Bridge High School, fund drive to benefit the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The Stone Bridge SCA and Key Club coordinated donations in a "Doggie Jar" and collected $2,000 in one day.