Lincoln County teachers are working with the Harrison CountySchool District to assist two D’Iberville schools sacked byHurricane Katrina.

Loyd Star teacher Sherry Davis and West Lincoln teacher GwenDickey have organized a community effort to supply D’IbervilleElementary School and D’Iberville Middle School with supplies andother items.

“They were devastated. They don’t have anything,” Davis said.”So we’ve been getting together some classroom supplies forthem.”

Special emphasis has been placed on trying to collectage-appropriate books, she said. According to Davis, not a singlebook in either school’s library survived the storm andfloodwaters.

The concept caught on quickly with other teachers in thedistrict, Davis said.

“It was really Gwen’s idea one sleepless night,” she said.

Dickey has family in the area, and after hearing numerous talesof the shattered coast and the plight of the schools, she wanted todo something to help. She approached Davis with her idea, and theproject has continued to progress rapidly.

Several trailers are loaded with supplies now, Davis said, butthey want to gather as much as they can before making a run to thecoast Oct. 19. Additionally, after discovering that 15 teachers inthe two schools lost their homes and all their possessions, theorganizers have expanded the project to cover any household itemspeople would like to donate.

“Right now we’re focusing on the school supplies, especiallybooks for the library, but we are taking virtually anything andeverything in good shape,” Davis said.

Anyone wishing to donate to the schools can drop off items atLoyd Star or West Lincoln or call the schools to have a volunteerpick the items up, Davis said.

A second trip will be made after Oct. 19 if items continue tocome in, Davis said.

“We’ll take them stuff as long as we get it,” she said.