While the effects of recent hurricanes may be thousands of miles away, residents throughout Castle Pines North have pulled together to lend a hand to help contribute to those affected by some of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

Heartbreaking stories and images of destruction along the Gulf Coast areas make their way into homes each day. In fact, many Castle Pines North residents have family and friends who live in the ravished areas.

From bake sales and lemonade stands, to Boy Scouts and AWANA Clubs – – residents have opened their hearts and wallets to help those who lost so much. Multiple efforts are underway here in Castle Pines North and throughout Douglas County to contriubte to hurricane relief efforts.

Boy Scout Troops Lend a Helping Hand

Two CPN area Boy Scout troops, Troop 637 and Troop 316, earned community service hours and pitched in on the relief effort.

Over Labor Day weekend, Troop 637 passed out flyers asking residents to leave cases of water on their porches for pick-up. Residents were also alerted to the water drive by an e-mail issued by CPN Master Association. Residents dropped water off at the HOA2 clubhouse. Happy to help, the Scouts met on the rainy evening, September 6, and loaded trucks with more than 500 cases of water.

Special thanks to YoLo Trucking from Louviers; Scott Sanderson’s automotive shop, Pitrow Performance; HOA 2; and the Team Colorado lifeguards who stacked many cases of water over the weekend. This relief effort would not have been possible without all of this help.

Troop 316 collected new or used backpacks to send to the relief effort in Biloxi, Mississippi. Residents were asked to fill new or used backpacks with items needed by children of all ages. On September 18, the Troop met at the King Soopers parking lot to load the truck with backpacks filled with clothes, sleeping bags, first aid kits, toys and games.

Douglas County Coordinates Hurricane Relief Fundraiser

On September 23, from 10 a.m. until midnight, Douglas County adopted the Katrina ravaged victims of Jackson County, Mississippi, in a special fundraising event.

“Kids for Katrina” ran until 2 p.m. Children enjoyed face painting, games, and rides. Local sports celebrities were available for autographs. Children of all ages sent handmade notes and cards to children in evacuation centers in Jackson County, MS. Non-perishable food items and personal hygiene items were collected to replenish the Salvation Army’s local support to Katrina victims housed in Colorado.

That evening, supporters enjoyed a BBQ dinner from Flying Horse Catering and danced until midnight to the music of the Shiloh River Band and D.J. Rob Shank. Throughout the evening live and silent auctions raised money.

Douglas County School District Helps Schools in Need

The Douglas County Educational Foundation collected various school supplies to help the many schools that were destroyed in Katrina’s wrath. Parents received notes home in their children’s backpacks asking for pencils, pens, paper, rulers and other basic items used in the classroom. The drive ended September 12 and all supplies were shipped off immediately.

Many schools, such as American Academy Charter, collected donations from students for the American Red Cross. Sixth graders at American Academy recently held a bake sale with proceeds to benefit hurricane victims.

DCSO Helps Patrol New Orleans

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO), sent seven commissioned deputies to help patrol and assist in operational needs in New Orleans. The deputies were sworn in as Louisiana deputies and were given legal authority as peace officers in the state. They served as Louisiana officers for two weeks and returned to Colorado on September 20. Sheriff Weaver said DCSO is, “proud to be of assistance to the citizens and State of Louisiana in their time of need and crisis.”

To share additional stories about hurricane relief efforts, please e-mail editor@cpnhoa.org.