Ways to help

Donate personal checks or money orders made out to Red Cross with the

notation: Hurricane Katrina relief. The district sponsors the Menlo Park Water Rescue Team, which was deployed Tuesday, and the Urban Search and Rescue Team, Task Force 3, deployed Wednesday.

As of Friday afternoon, the teams rescued over 300 victims.

Reports of unruly citizens threatening rescuers halted efforts Thursday. However, the Menlo Park teams were not hurt and redeployed Friday with military protection in the western area of New Orleans.

The team itself is not seeking donations and urges all money go toward the victims.

For more information go to www.menlofire.org.

Synagogue collecting hygiene bags for survivors

The Peninsula Temple Sholom in Burlingame is collecting bags filled with hygiene products to help the survivors.

The project will allow the community to personally assist in the enormous burden of providing physical care for Hurricane Katrina evacuees at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas.

Temple Peninsula Shalom decided to collect toiletries bags after having a conversation with clergy in Houston, Texas, that is supplying volunteers to serve meals and hygiene bags for the evacuees.

The temple is asking people to assemble the bags at home and drop them off at their lobby. Please fill one gallon zip lock plastic bags each with a toothbrush, shampoo, toothpaste, travel size wet wipes, bar soap and a note of encouragement for the recipient of bag.

Bags can be delivered to Peninsula Temple Sholom, 1655 Sebastian Drive, Burlingame, on Saturday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday thru Friday, Sept. 6-9, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (650) 697-2266.

PHS collects funds for Katrina animals

The Peninsula Humane Society is collecting funds for animal victims of Hurricane Katrina and will match all funds collected up to $1,000.

PHS will send 100 percent of funds collected to animal welfare groups operating in the hurricane region and to other shelters outside of but nearby the disaster region, like the Houston SPCA, which are offering much-needed support. Donations, which will help animal shelters rebuild facilities and assist in their disaster recovery efforts, can be sent to: Hurricane Relief, PHS/SPCA, 12 Airport Blvd., San Mateo, CA 94401, Attn: Lisa Van Buskirk.

The society is also serving as one of two locations for local residents to drop-off emergency supplies like leashes and collars, pet carriers/crates, dog and cat bowls, unopened bags or cans of dog and cat food, water bottles, blankets and towels, can openers, flea sprays and poop bags. Place donated supplies in boxes or bags marked "Hurricane Relief" and leave them outside of the shelter's 12 Airport Blvd. location or, if more convenient, at a second location, 403 Quarry Rd. in San Carlos. This second location has been secured by a local group of animal welfare supporters.

For more information, please contact Scott Delucchi at (650) 685-8510. Another San Carlos-based group, called Peace, Love and Pets is also trying to collect and transport donations. Its Web site is www.peacelovepets.com and its phone number is 650-773-3813.

How to donate

American Red Cross

1-800-HELP-NOW

www.redcross.org

America's Second Harvest

1-800-344-8070

www.secondharvest.org