[StBernard] Help for New Orleans (St. Bernard Parish) School Children

[Westley Annis]

>From WNEP - Channel 16 - Penn.



Help for New Orleans School Children
 
 
 
Monday, March 13, 2:37 p.m.
By Andy Palumbo 

People who care for seniors in Lackawanna County are pitching in to help
children in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans.

The effort began recently at a funeral. Organizer Chris Perko works at Saint
Mary's Villa Nursing Home in Elmhurst, near Moscow. She talked with a friend
after that friend's father passed away. The friend teaches in New Orleans
and she said many young people in Saint Bernard Parish, Louisiana were left
with nothing.

"I never realized the extent of the needs of New Orleans and the lack of
people helping there," Perko said.

So she put the wheels in motion. The idea of helping was pitched to
something called the Mission Committee at Saint Mary's. The facility that
helps senior citizens in Lackawanna County decided to get involved with the
young people in New Orleans.

"I don't think New Orleans is getting the attention it deserves, especially
the kids. You forget about the kids and you shouldn't," said Maribeth
Hineline of Saint Mary's Villa.

A Mardi Gras tree was set up in a hallway and workers picked ornaments and
bought what the kids in New Orleans really need; sweatshirts and socks.

All the donated items look alike. They are blues sweatshirts and white
socks. They are part of the Saint Bernard Parish school uniform, and the
clothing is desperately needed.

"The kids were freezing in the morning. The kids are living in tents and
going to school in trailers," Perko explained.

Now 150 sweatshirts and 265 pairs of socks are headed to the Crescent City
and more is needed. To help,checks can be sent to Saint Bernard Parish
School Board, #200 East St. Bernard Highway, Chalmette, Louisiana, 70043.