Special to the HERALD
(From the issue of 11/6/03)

Catholic Charities USA is collecting financial donations to help victims of the firestorms in southern California, which have already taken 16 lives, destroyed 3,000 homes and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate to safety. Donations will be used to fund local Catholic Charities’ agencies’ emergency and long-term disaster recovery efforts in the devastated areas. The agency announced that it has already donated $30,000 to help with the recovery effort.

"Catholic Charities agencies serving the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the dioceses of San Diego, San Bernardino and Orange are working closely with other relief organizations and providing counseling, emergency financial assistance, food, shelter and clothing to disaster victims," said Deacon Gerald Collins, director of disaster response for Catholic Charities USA.

To contribute to the Southern California Fires Relief Fund, call 800/919-9338, or visit www.catholiccharitiesinfo.org/fires.htm. Send checks to: Catholic Charities USA, Southern California Fires, P.O. Box 25168, Alexandria, Va. 22313-9788.