Others, like Salt Lake attorney Steve Gordon, saw a simple idea snowball into something much bigger. A University of Utah alumnus who enjoys attending football games with his daughter, Gordon decided he'd like to take an evacuee or two and their children to this Saturday's game against Utah State University.

"These people don't have anything left, and they have no idea what the future holds. I can't change that, but maybe we can give them some happiness for a few hours," he said.

By Wednesday afternoon, Gordon had been in contact with both the governor's office and the U.'s athletic department, which was already working on a similar plan, lining up tickets for all evacuees and trying to find transportation to and from the game.

"It just kind of mushroomed," he said. "And I can't say it was my idea. It was my idea to take a father and his son to a football game."

Also at this weekend's game, student volunteers from the U. and other colleges and universities from around the state are to raise money for the American Red Cross. A family fun day prior to kickoff and a post-game party will have food, raffles, a carnival, live bands and an auction.

Other Utah organizations are also joining together to aid in relief efforts. A coalition of businesses, churches and communities called Home Away From Home has announced a Saturday benefit gumbo dinner at the Skaggs Catholic Center in Draper. The coalition is also accepting cash and food donations and assures that all contributions will be used in Utah to benefit the evacuees staying at Camp Williams. More information is available online at www.utahrelief.org, as well as at deseretnews.com.

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E-mail: awelling@desnews.com