The selma Times-Journal

Dallas County companies and organizations are coming together to help victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Several area companies and organizations have already begun collecting donations, giving corporate donations and generally helping out wherever possible.

The list includes:

Meadowcraft – Selma

Meadowcraft officials say their company has already began food, hygiene products and clothing drives within the company.

The company is also looking for alternate sleeping arrangements, in the event that cots and beds run low. Meadowcraft produces cushions for outdoor furniture. Officials said that several of the cushions they produce could be used as bedding.

Riverdale IP

The Riverdale IP plant held a bucket drop Friday, collecting over $1,100 for relief efforts. Officials said the money will be used to support refugees located in Dallas County.

The City of Selma

The City of Selma is offering an Adopt A Family program. This program is for families that are evacuating from the disaster area to Selma and Dallas County and are in need of support from a local family.

If you are willing to act as a Adopt-a-Family please call Kay Jones or the Selma City staff at 334-875-2145.

They are taking information and will match volunteers with a family in need.

As a community based organization, CARO INC is offering the use of its computer and internet services to the displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina free of charge.

Those in need of these services will be able to apply for FEMA services online or contact friends and relatives.

The Central Alabama Renaissance Organization Inc. (CARO) is a newly formed 501(c) 3 nonprofit agency dedicated to the promotion of community and arts related activities throughout the Selma/Dallas County Community.

Founded in the spring of 2005, CARO looks to the future as an active, viable and progressive regional arts organization, serving a broad range of artists, Arts organizations and community art projects.

Those in need of these services should come to the Southern Hub, 905 Water Avenue (corner of Water Ave. and Church St.). Hours of availability are Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Nextel Partners:

Local wireless services provider Nextel Partners and its authorized retailers will be collecting needed supplies for Hurricane Katrina victims in South Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana throughout the month of September.

The public is invited to drop off non-perishable canned goods (such as canned chicken/tuna, peanut butter, jelly, juice box drinks, and ready-to-eat, pop top meals), non-Styrofoam coolers, batteries, flashlights, lanterns, water, bug spray, hand sanitizer, charcoal and grills, toilet paper, baby wipes, diapers, baby food and formula, tents (with mosquito netting) and tarps with ropes.

Both Nextel retail locations in Montgomery and any Nextel authorized dealer will accept donations.

“During this time of crisis, we all need to come together and reach out to those whose homes and lives have been altered by the hurricane,” said Daniel DiGuglielmo, general manager, Nextel Partners.

“This is a terrific opportunity for Montgomery and Central Alabama residents to lend a hand of support and encouragement to those who have been so deeply impacted by this devastating storm.”

Nextel Partners has joined with the American Red Cross to provide assistance to the hundreds of thousands who have lost so much in the wake of the storm.

For every BlackBerry wireless handset sold from Sept. 2 to Oct. 31, Nextel Partners will donate $25 to the Katrina Relief Fund.

In addition, the company has made a $25,000 contribution to the relief fund and will make a dollar-for-dollar match on partner contributions.