As news of the pain and suffering in the Gulf States continues to find its way northward, residents from Shelby County and the surrounding area have been searching for ways to help. Here is a list of local agencies that are open for donations of money and goods for the Hurricane Katrina disaster relief:

– American Red Cross

Phone: 1-800-435-7669

Website: www.redcross.org

Mail: American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. Be sure to make a memo or note on the check or money allotting your donation to the hurricane relief fund.

– Salvation Army

Phone: 1-800-725-2769

Website: www.salvationarmyusa.org

Mail: Salvation Army, P.O. Box 4857, Jackson, MS 39296-4857. Be sure to make a memo or note on the check or money allotting your donation to the hurricane relief fund.

– Governor Bob Riley’s office

People interested in making a contribution of their time and skills can sign up online through the governor’s office at: www.servealabama.gov

– Birmingham Baptist Association

To give to the Birmingham Baptist Association, checks should be made payable to the group’s disaster assistance fund and be sent to 1750 Montclair Road, Birmingham, AL 35213.

Please check back with the Shelby County Reporter website in the future for more information of how you can help with the hurricane relief effort