Oakton High School's band and activities office involved parents and football spectators in Katrina relief by collecting supplies at the Friday, Sept. 9 football game against Madison.
The school collected items throughout the week, but had to move the collection point from the band room to the cafeteria because of the number of donations received, according to Cheryl Newton, band director. Items collected included food, diapers, baby formula, clothes and water.
"I have good friends in Baton Rouge," said Newton. "They made it through but said that a lot of people were having trouble with the basics for existence."
Many of the refugees were being sent to shelters in Baton Rouge, so Newton said she decided to help. She enlisted the aid of her students and their parents. Newton said her students were excited about the effort. "I try to teach my students that doing the right thing is their only choice," she said.
Between the week's collection and items received at the football game, a 25-foot truck was filled with supplies. Carr Homes donated money to rent a truck and three band dads volunteered to take time off from work and to drive the supplies down to Baton Rouge, said Newton.
"They left Saturday [Sept. 10] at 6 a.m. and got their on Sunday around 2 p.m. to unload," said Newton. The relief items will be distributed among the shelters in Baton Rouge.