Businesses combine efforts for hurricane victims

American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter

Cash donations amounting to more than $56,000 were received Sept. 1 alone. The chapter deployed 32 locally trained volunteers.

United Way of the Ozarks

The United Way donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross Greater Ozarks Chapter.

Branson

About 200 city and business leaders in Branson developed a community plan to help survivors of the hurricane.

The Salvation Army is preparing for victims needing emergency housing, health care, social services and employment and will coordinate with local businesses to provide those services.

Myer Hotels and other businesses are offering jobs to displaced workers.

A concert telethon featuring Branson entertainers will take place later this month.

Silver Dollar City agreed to match employee donations to the American Red Cross up to $50,000.

Branson School District is waiving admission requirements for displaced students, and Skaggs Community Hospital is ready to provide health care services.

Skyline Baptist Church is organizing a trip to deliver food, clothing and other essential supplies to victims next week.

To join the city’s relief efforts, call the Branson/Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at (417) 334-4084.

Springfield Public Schools

More than $1,000 has been raised through the district.

Hillcrest High School will conduct a collection campaign Sept. 8-9.

Horace Mann Elementary School developed the Hurricane Helping Hands Project. Donations will be sent to an undetermined school, and donors can place a handprint on a designated wall at the school.

Children and staff who donated at least 50 cents at Sherwood and Wanda Gray elementary schools were allowed to wear a hat to school today.

Bingham Elementary School, Central High School and Pittman Elementary School are coordinating spare change drives.

Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College, Drury University

Three higher education institutions are offering classes to displaced students.

At MSU, Missouri residents who attend school in an affected area can enroll and have basic per-credit-hour fees waived. Out-of-state students must pay basic fees but will have their out-of-state fees waived.

At OTC, displaced students will be admitted tuition-free for the fall semester.

Drury is offering 70 beds and enrollment for displaced students.

Southwest Baptist University

An instructor and a student at SBU’s Salem campus have collected bath towels, hygiene supplies and school supplies and are leaving to deliver them to victims in Pineville, La.

Empire District Electric Co.

The Joplin-based utility sent eight four-man crews, two mechanics, a telecommunications technician and three support personnel to help Mississippi Power recover from hurricane damage in Meridian, Miss.

Dickerson Park Zoo

The zoo launched a campaign to collect donations for New Orleans’ Audubon Nature Institute. Donations should be payable to Friends of the Zoo Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and mailed to 3043 N. Fort, 65803.

Kum & Go

The Iowa-based convenience store company Saturday is sending 9,508 gallons of water to Hattiesburg, Miss.

Great Southern Bank

The bank is accepting cash donations for the Convoy of Hope at its 34 branches in southwest and central Missouri.