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Area firms, churches gather aid

September 1, 2005 1:06 am

By JESSICA ALLEN

When Mark Westall learned of the devastation Hurricane Katrina left in her wake, he knew he had to help out.

He had seen the images in the media--cars under water, individuals searching for loved ones, and people sleeping in shelters not knowing if they had a house to return to.

The 45-year-old owner of Autobility, a car dealership on U.S. 17 in Stafford County, decided to collect bottled water and canned foods and deliver the aid himself.

"I remember what my brother and sister went through with Hurricane Hugo in Miami," Westall said of the 1989 devastation. "I thought this was going to be bad, if not worse, and these people will need some help."

He spent yesterday talking to other car dealers in the Fredericksburg area, asking if they could serve as donation drop-off sites. They agreed, and he has 13 locations on board.

He also managed to get other businesses and churches to help out.

The local car dealers are among the many Fredericksburg-area businesses, churches and residents offering aid for victims in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Ten buses from Quicks Bus Co. in Falmouth left yesterday for Meridian, Miss., where they will shuttle power company crews from their lodgings to staging areas.

Breg International, a manufacturing company in the Bowman Center in Spotsylvania County, is donating items to the Homeland Assistance Response Team, a company based in Northern Virginia.

Breg is providing mats that absorb chemicals from water, and personal equipment such as goggles and protective suits. A group from the HART organization will go to the disaster sites within 48 hours to provide aid.

Richard Bryner, Breg's sales director, said donating is "the right thing to do when people are in need."

Ukrop's and First Market Bank will accept donations to support the American Red Cross' Katrina relief. The companies plan to match the first $25,000 donated by customers.

Donations may be made in increments of $5, $10 or $20 as customers check out at Ukrop's. Let the cashier know the amount donated to the relief and it will be added to the total.

Cash or checks also may be placed in the Hurricane Katrina relief collection canisters located at all First Market Bank locations; checks should be made payable to Hurricane Katrina Relief.

WFLS 93.3, WYSK 99.3 and WWUZ 96.9 will be broadcasting live tomorrow at Four-Mile Fork shopping center from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., urging residents to donate canned goods, bottled water, diapers and hand-crank can openers.

A local business, which wants to remain anonymous, has donated a truck to be used as a collection point. Once filled, it will head to New Orleans to assist in the disaster relief.

Westall plans to have a truck out there as well.

The American Red Cross, Rappahannock United Way and The Salvation Army also are accepting financial donations that will be sent to the branches in the devastated areas. Call the agencies for more information.

Legendary comedian Jerry Lewis plans to also raise money for Hurricane Katrina relief during his annual Labor Day Telethon benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The organization will donate $1 million to help the victims.

Church members are encouraged to visit their congregation's or denomination's Web sites to find out how they can help.

To reach JESSICA ALLEN: 540/368-5036 jiallen@freelancestar.com