HURRICANE RELIEF

Each week the View will spotlight efforts made by residents and groups doing their best to help those affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. If you know of a local organization, a person or a group that has made a positive impact on the life or lives of those devastated by the Gulf Coast storm, write to us and let us know. Send correspondence to: Lauren Romano, View, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070; by fax to 477-3852; or by e-mail to lromano@viewnews.com.

Animals can aid hurricane victims, too

Pet Portraits and Grooming owner Pearl Johnstone of Boulder City has thrown down the gauntlet and challenged all pet industry owners in Southern Nevada to do what she's doing -- donating $1 for every pet service performed through Oct. 29.

The money will go to the Houston Humane Society to help animals displaced by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"We will be donating $1 from every animal that gets groomed, massaged, nail clipping or portraits taken," Johnstone said. "Because these displaced animals (from Katrina) could have been our cherished customers."

For more information, pet industry owners can call Johnstone at 294-3111.

Law firm adopts two families

The law office of Marquis & Aurbach have adopted two families displaced by Hurricane Katrina and will pay for housing and expenses for three to six months.

Attorney Al Marquis is challenging all local businesses to do the same.

These families have lost everything and they need short-term and long-term housing, appliances, clothing, household items, medical care, children enrolled in school, transportation and jobs. Most will need rents paid for at least four months.

The Salvation Army will help with locating families who have arrived in the Las Vegas Valley from the hurricane areas and refer those families to businesses like Marquis & Aurbach.

For information on Marquis' challenge, call Kelly Behrens at 821-2409.

New Orleans-themed event helps raise funds

Golden Gaming Inc., the parent company of PT's Entertainment Group and Sierra Gold, offered support to victims in the wake of Hurricane Katrina with a fundraising event Sept. 15.

The event took place at Sierra Gold, 6515 S. Jones Road, from 6 p.m. to midnight. For a $25 donation, guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktail samplers provided by select event sponsors. New Orleans cuisine was prepared by executive chef Joe Romano. All proceeds were donated to the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief fund.

Las Vegas school holds 16-day fundraiser

Faith Lutheran Junior/Senior High School organized a 16-day fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief. The school raised $68,000, which was donated to the American Red Cross, LCMS disaster relief and to Lutheran schools in areas damaged by the disaster.

The effort began Sept. 1 after school principal Kevin Dunning spoke to the student body during chapel and made the appeal for donations.