Hurricane Katrina may have wreaked havoc many miles away, but local organizations are doing their best to help those affected by the storm.

The Newman Catholic Center, 512 Normal Road, is under order by its presiding bishop, Thomas Doran, to hold a special collection during its weekend ceremonies.

The same applies for all the parishes of Doran’s diocese, which number more than 100.

Father Godwin Asuquo of the Newman Center said some of the larger parishes of the diocese have 5,000 families, so a significant amount of money should be raised.

“Bishops across the country have sent word to their parishes to donate,” he said. “Help will come from many directions.”

It will also come from Sycamore’s Army National Guard unit C Battery of the 122nd Field Artillery Regiment, which is sending sling sets for Chinook helicopters down to the Gulf Coast. The sling sets help Chinooks to haul around heavy machinery.

As soon as Sgt. 1st Class Andy Salemi hung up the phone after talking with the Northern Star, he was on his way to inventory the unit’s supply of sling sets. Salemi said the unit was asked for Meals Ready to Eat, but the unit did not have any.

Illinois schools are doing what they can. With major schools such as Tulane shut down, Gov. Rod Blagojevich opened state school doors to Illinois residents attending the affected colleges.

Tom Choice, acting Kishwaukee College president, said he hasn’t taken in any students. He said enrollment has already created tight circumstances and night classes and online courses are the best bets.

DeKalb Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Harrison has been keeping in touch with emergency officials across the country and has learned railroad cars in the region have floated miles away from the tracks.

Despite peoples’ best efforts, the end of Hurricane Katrina’s story is far from over.

“Many of the emergency services in the area are saying they haven’t even reached the worst of this disaster,” Harrison said.

– Metro Editor Andy McMurray contributed to this report