By Noah Purcell and Jim Martinez
Clarkston News Staff Writers

After seeing the destruction and suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina, some Clarkston area children wanted to do anything they could to help ? a cookie and lemonade sale on Sept. 3 is what they came up with.
‘A lot of people are getting hurt and it looked like they were doing bad after the hurricane. They didn’t have electricity and needed money to rebuild,? said Cameron Mitchell, 10, on why he wanted to organize the event. ‘I hope the donations can help rebuild the houses and get enough construction to get rid of the debris.?
The sale in Deer Ridge Manor began at 11 a.m. Many of the children were up late the night before baking for the sale.
The children also passed out poems, buttons, baked goods and crafts during the Labor Day parade.
The group has raised over $1200 and is currently searching for a business or corporation that will match their donation.
‘It was the children’s idea. They wanted to make some sort of community impact,? said L. Smith Mitchell, Cameron’s mother.
The children who participated in the fundraiser were: Lauren Mitchell, Erica Cale, Suzanne Eagan, Bree Christie, Molly Eagan, Cameron Mitchell, E.J. Down, Marissa Wegner, Lauren Britton, Carley Vinke, Elizabeth Turner, Jerry Shay, Gabriela de Araujo and Ana Clara de Araujo
The poem given out on Sept. 3 and at the Labor Day parade is by resident Nancy Cale, an occupational therapist who writes in her spare time.
‘I like to write poetry. I was watching the news coverage and all these words started popping up,? said Cale.
Many Clarkston organizations and churches are in the midst of organizing events and drives to support the victims of Katrina.
On Sept. 25 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sundrise Assisted Living of Clarkston will hold a garage sale/car wash/ bake sale with proceeds going to disaster relief.
The organizers are asking the community to donate items to be sold at the garage sale (no clothing or shoes), bake goods for the bake sale, volunteer for set up on Saturday (Sept. 24) evening, work the event on Sept. 25 or make a cash donation.
To volunteer or make a contribution, contact any Sunrise coordinator at 248-625-0500. Sunrise Assisted Living is located at 5700 Water Tower Place at the corner of White Lake Road and Dixie Highway.