Contributions and ideas for helping Katrina victims continue to surface in a variety of ways from the outdoor industry, and our readers are encouraged to follow suit.

Even proceeds from raffles at fishing tournaments will help, it seems. Florida’s Old Salt Fishing Club is donating proceeds from each of their fund-raiser raffles to the Salvation Army marked: Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. They can be reached at (727) 497-1060.

Meanwhile, up in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Mercury Marine announced to its 3,000 employees last Friday a variety of ways they can contribute to rescue and recovery efforts underway. The programs were developed in response to executive direction, as well as numerous inquiries from employees and even local retirees.

"This is a disaster of unprecedented proportions," said Mercury President Patrick C. Mackey. "We, as a nation, must reach out to those in need in a generous way by donating through recognized agencies and organizations. We must also keep all of the bereaved survivors in our prayers so that they can reconstruct some sort of normality in their lives."

Brunswick Corp., Mercury's parent company, will match on a dollar-for-dollar basis all employee donations to the American Red Cross, up to a total of $100,000. All money collected will be matched by Brunswick and forwarded to the American Red Cross. Employees who wish to make a donation to the American Red Cross larger than $100 can pay in installments via payroll deduction. The company will send in the pledged amount immediately.

Mercury employees certified in disaster relief by the Red Cross or with other skills and abilities requested by a recognized relief agency may be granted up to a one-week paid leave to volunteer on the Gulf Coast. Mercury also encourages other companies to contribute at the corporate level and to foster similar philanthropy in their employees as well. The Red Cross will accept donations by phone, online or mail, and can be contacted at 800-HELP-NOW (800-435-7669) or on the Web at www.redcross.org.

Meanwhile, on Jacksonville's Saturday morning FS Live! radio show, Capt. David Borries called to say he was on his way to Biloxi, with aid for local fishermen he is related to. A listener soon donated $50 for the trip. Before the radio show was over, listeners had donated $2,413 for Biloxi.

FS