Holy Trinity answers call from Katrina victims

On a recent Monday afternoon, North Augustan Paulette Parker made a phone call to Bethel Lutheran Church in Biloxi, Miss.

The person who answered the call, named Judy, listened for a moment and then said, "Your phone call is a blessing from God." Judy went on to tell Parker of the devastation from Hurricane Katrina in the Biloxi area.

"You cannot believe it unless you see it," Judy went on to say.

The service committee at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church had already discussed having a drive for blankets, underwear, and socks for Katrina victims, as a pre-Thanksgiving project.

Now the committee wants to step-up this project, with plans to deliver needed items to Bethel Lutheran Church no later than Nov. 15.

The entire North Augusta community is invited to contribute to this project. Items may be delivered to Holy Trinity Lutheran (1002 Carolina Ave.) between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays. Call the church if you cannot deliver items during these hours, and other arrangements will be made.

The list of what is needed includes:

New blankets — all sizes

Socks and underwear, all sizes — men's, women's, and children's — in packages

Diapers, all sizes, including adult

Parker commented that "new" and "packaged" are important because most people need to be able to use donated items immediately when received.