Groups around Utah aiding Katrina victims

Groups around Utah are working to aid Hurricane Katrina victims. Among them are:

The Cathedral Church of St. Mark in Salt Lake City will hold a "Service of Prayer and Healing" for Katrina victims and in remembrance of Sept. 11, 2001, on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 4 p.m.

There will be a litany for those whose lives have been affected by all natural disasters throughout the world and opportunity for private prayer. The service will be similar to that held at the cathedral, 231 E. 100 South, on Sept. 14, 2001.

AAA of northern California, Nevada and Utah will match employee and member donations up to a total of $250,000. Members who wish to donate can take checks made out to the American Red Cross to any AAA office or donate online at www.csaa.com

General Growth Properties, a group that owns and operates shopping malls, including Cottonwood, Newgate, Provo Towne Centre and Red Cliffs malls, now have relief donation sites in each mall where the public can make donations to the American Red Cross.

Downtown Farmers' Market will hold a rally to accept donations for the American Red Cross today from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers from the Downtown Alliance will be located in a booth in Pioneer Park, 300 South and 300 West.

Qwest is matching employee contributions to the Red Cross up to a total of $250,000. The telecom company is also donating 2,000 free long-distance calling cards to be distributed to families affected by the disaster.

O.C. Tanner will match employee donations dollar for dollar to the American Red Cross, LDS Foundation Fund or Catholic Relief Services, based on the individual's preference. The company is also encouraging employees to carpool and use public transportation to reduce gas consumption.

Associated Food stores have donated 69,000 bottles of water to Katrina victims. The water was sent in two semi-trailer trucks.

Globus Relief, local nonprofit group, shipped out the first of several aid shipments to the South, including 26 pallets of hygiene, cleaning and food supplies. The organization will welcome further donations by phone at 1-801-977-0444 or on the Internet at www. globusrelief.org. Checks made out to Globus Relief and noted "for Hurricane Katrina" can be mailed to: 177 W. 1500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84104.