Local charity goes to work

Help The ChildrenFoundation, located in Calabasas, will assist the children and families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

A convoy of two trailer trucks and three mobile homes will travel to Houston and the disaster areas to serve as temporary or permanent shelter for the Katrina evacuees, officials said. Additional convoy trucks will be loaded with food and clothing that will be deposited upon delivery at official disaster relief sites under the supervision of local disaster officials.

“We have five trucks and we’re hoping to get more,” said Lev Leznik, president of Help the Children. “It will be a huge project.”

The most critical needs include:

•Mobile homes (preferably drivable due to the high cost of transportation), mobile coach trailers and hauling trucks. •Portable generators.

•Dry food and baby food, but no canned goods, please.

•Clean clothing, socks, blankets, pillows, bedding.

•Personal hygiene products.

Donated funds are also welcome. Funds received by Help the Children will be distributed at your choice either directly to victims or to assist Help the Children with expenses such as fuel, insurance, travel costs, and return flights for volunteer drivers.

Help The Children Foundation was organized to promote the welfare of children in need, including children with physical disabilities and lifethreatening diseases.

For more information, please contact the charity at 26500 West Agoura Road, Suite 657, Calabasas, or call (818) 706-9848.

You may also visit the organization’s website at www.tohelpthechildren.org.