LOCAL KATRINA RELIEF EFFORTS ABOUND.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina have been overwhelming in the Santa Clarita Valley, from children selling lemonade on street corners to football players passing the helmet.

Congregations and individuals are loading trucks with emergency supplies, and a young girl is asking for help to save animals stranded by floodwaters. Local citizens have been generous, and efforts continue in the ongoing recovery effort.

--At College of the Canyons, the Associated Student Government is conducting a ``Dollars for Disaster'' program in hopes of raising $10,000 for the American Red Cross. More than $3,300 has already been raised, including $2,000 from the proceeds of a recent football game.

In addition, the college is participating with the California Community College chancellor's office in Sacramento to raise money for community and technical colleges in the gulf region. Each of the 109 campuses statewide has been challenged to raise $10,000. On Monday, students will observe Constitution Day by collecting spare change, diapers and baby food to forward to the Red Cross.

The college is also accommodating displaced Gulf Coast residents who have come west and are interested in pursuing college degrees. Late-start dates have been adjusted, and some financial aid for tuition and supplies may be available. Anyone wishing to contribute to the college's efforts can call [phone].

--Pinetree Elementary School sixth-grader Courtney Johnson, moved by the plight of animals stranded by the hurricane, sold lemonade, made posters and put coffee cans out at her school and a few local businesses, along with e-mailing friends and family. She collected more than $6,000 that will go to Noah's Wish and Farm Sanctuary, a Gulf Coast nonprofit organization helping disaster-area animals.

Students at Sierra Vista Junior High are also helping Noah's Wish and will collect donations through Sept. 30.

--Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Santa Clarita Valley packaged more than 700 emergency hygiene kits for hurricane victims. The kits included toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, soap, shampoo, conditioner, feminine hygiene products, disposable razors, tissues, wet wipes and other essentials. Separate kits were created for men, women and children.

The drive was organized by Claudia and Alan Perkinson, and kits were shipped to the First Unitarian Church of Houston for distribution. The local church is still in need of travel-size hygiene items, which may be donated by calling [phone] or e-mailing claudiaperk(at)hotmail.com.

--A restaurant night held Sept. 14, inspired by 9-year-old Samantha McCain, involved Wolf Creek Brewery, Salt Creek Grill, La Rhumba, Lamppost Pizza, La Cocina and Stone Fire Grill. The restaurants donated a portion of the day's proceeds to Katrina victims.

--On Sept. 11, residents at Crescent Valley Mobile Home Park were greeted by 4-year-old Cheyenne Ham and her grandmother, who went door-to-door with homemade muffins and asked for donations toward Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The Wiley Canyon School kindergartner had come home from school wanting to do something to help the children with ``no food, water and clothes.''

At the end of the day, the youngster had collected $237.57, which was added to the school's donation to the American Red Cross.

--Local artist Bruce Cana Fox is donating 75 percent of the purchase price of his artwork to Hurricane Katrina relief for the next 50 days. All artwork sold during September and October will be accompanied by a certification of donation to the American Red Cross or to a recognized hurricane relief fund chosen by the buyer. Selected works may be viewed on the Web site of Riverfox Gallery: www.riverfoxgallery.com.

--Local high schools and junior highs have collected more than $77,000 with various activities hosted by campus clubs, athletics and performing arts groups. Golden Valley High students collected more than $5,000, meeting a challenge by Mechanix Wear, a local clothing company, which added a $50,000 grant to the American Red Cross for the students' efforts.

Students at Rio Norte Junior High adopted a family who traveled west to escape the hurricane and have adopted Maplewood School in Sulphur, La. They also are collecting school supplies, backpacks and uniforms for the school, which is taking in students displaced from the storm area.

Canyon High students crafted 40 handmade quilts and collected 72 new fleece blankets to send to the Red Cross in Baton Rouge as part of the Comfort America project. The Associated Student Body has also adopted three families.

Rancho Pico Junior High students collected $1,500 in donations that were matched by the Los Angeles Commission on Human Rights, which is delivering the money directly to victims when they visit the disaster area. Students at La Mesa Junior High collected 40 boxes of clothing, blankets, toiletries, books, games and toys that were shipped to shelters in the gulf.

The Learning Post will hold a silent auction and raffle of gift baskets with all proceeds going to the hurricane victims. The raffle and auction will be held during Back to School Night on Thursday, with the winners announced Sept. 30. Anyone interested in bidding or contributing can call Mike Ehrhart, the ASB adviser, at [phone].

--A bike ``Ride for Life'' sponsored by Shield Healthcare is being held at 9:30 a.m. today, beginning at 24700 Avenue Rockefeller in the Valencia industrial center and ending at Cold Springs Tavern, 5995 Stagecoach Road in Santa Barbara. Cost is $25 per rider, checks made payable to American Red Cross/Katrina. For information, call [phone].

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com