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Friday, September 2, 2005
Sandoval Aiding In Katrina Recovery
By Joshua Akers
Journal Staff Writer
Sandoval County wants to do its part to help the Gulf Coast recover from Hurricane Katrina.
Sheriff's deputies are teaming with the American Red Cross and Roadrunner Food Bank to collect money, food and clothing to help those in need.
"This is a national tragedy," said sheriff's Lt. Dean Alexander said. "People are dying, people are hungry, people don't have a home to go to anymore, and any help we can give them is not only appreciated, but is necessary."
Sheriff John Paul Trujillo said people can drop off donations at the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office in the Sandoval County Judicial Complex at Idalia and N.M. 528.
If you can't make it to the office, the sheriff said deputies are willing to pick up donations at homes or offices.
As items are collected, the sheriff plans to deliver them to the Red Cross and Roadrunner Food Bank for distribution.
"The best thing for them right now is money or non-perishable items such as canned foods," Trujillo said. "We will also be take clothing and shoes."
In addition to collecting aid in Sandoval County, both the sheriff's office and the Rio Rancho Department of Public Safety have people in New Orleans helping with the clean up.
A sheriff's deputy and a Rio Rancho police officer left Thursday as part of a New Mexico National Guard deployment. Their names weren't available.
Two Rio Rancho firefighters, paramedic firefighter Ernest Pohl and firefighter Elliott Salgado, left earlier this week as part of the state's Urban Search and Rescue Team.
DPS spokesman John Francis said both men have been with the department for several years.
Francis said DPS is not currently heading a fund drive, but the department is encouraging people to send donations to the Red Cross.
At this point, neither DPS nor the sheriff's office plans to send anyone else to the Gulf Coast.
"We sympathize with the people of Louisiana, but we have to make sure we have dedicated resources for the city of Rio Rancho first," Francis said. "If it is requested, we would have to take a look at what we could do before making a decision."
Trujillo said the biggest need right now is money and food, not more personnel.
If you need more information, you can contact the sheriff's office at 867-7526 or 867-7525.
Journal staff writer Michael Davis contributed to this report.