SOUTH POINT- The atmosphere was festive but the message was meaningful.

Lawrence County Mental Retardation /Developmental Disabilities combined fun and purpose Saturday in its first

fall festival to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims. The money raised will go directly to MRDD programs in the Gulfport, Miss., area.

&#8221This really came about very suddenly,“ said Sue Vanderhoof, director of the Lawrence County Early Childhood Center in South Point. &#8221Katrina happened and our county board was able to make contact with programs that provide services to children and families with disabilities in Gulfport and they told us what they needed most was money.“

Vanderhoof said she hoped the event would net $600-700. To raise that money, each MRDD program developed a fund-raiser and all those ideas were assembled for the fall festival. A silent auction offered gift baskets, there was pumpkin decorating, games and two haunted houses - one for little children and one for those older and perhaps a bit less timid.

&#8221We got a lot of donations from our teachers and from people in the community,“ Gina Runyon, chairperson for the event, said. &#8221I'm thankful that people wanted to help and support what we're doing. I think a lot of people wanted to help and didn't know how and this gave them the opportunity to do that. I'm thankful people wanted to support such a worthy cause.“

Jennifer Leach, of Ironton, came with her two sons, Austin, 9, and Tyler, 5. Tyler is a student at the early childhood center. Austin was determined to walk away with the video game gift basket offered in the silent auction while Tyler had some rather mischievous fun in mind.

&#8221He enjoyed the dunking booth,“ Leach said. &#8221His teacher (Kristen Adkins) got dunked.“

Mom was pleased to be able to visit with other families and ECC staff, and to do her part for a worthy cause.

&#8221It's good to know the money is going specifically for MRDD there (in Mississippi). &#8221These are people who might be missed in the big picture of the disaster otherwise.“

While the money will undoubtedly come in handy, Vanderhoof said she hoped the people in Mississippi will learn from this that they have friends they've never met- friends who are there for them during what is certainly the worst of times.

&#8221We're all family,“ Vanderhoof said. &#8221Where we're here in Ohio or in Mississippi or Louisiana, we're all connected.“

people wanted to help and support what we're doing. I think a lot of people wanted to help and didn't know how and this gave them the opportunity to do that. I'm thankful people wanted to support such a worthy cause.“

Jennifer Leach of Ironton came with her two sons, Austin, 9, and Tyler, 5. Tyler is a student at the early childhood center. Austin was determined to walk away with the video game gift basket offered in the silent auction while Tyler had some rather mischievous fun in mind.

&#8221He enjoyed the dunking booth,“ Leach said. &#8221His teacher (Kristen Adkins) got dunked.“

Mom was pleased to be able to visit with other families and ECC staff, and to do her part for a worthy cause.

&#8221It's good to know the money is going specifically for MRDD there (in Mississippi),“ she said. &#8221These are people who might be missed in the big picture of the disaster otherwise.“

While the money will undoubtedly come in handy, Vanderhoof said she hoped the people in Mississippi will learn from this that they have friends they've never met - friends who are there for them during what is certainly the worst of times.

&#8221We're all family,“ Vanderhoof said. &#8221Where we're here in Ohio or in Mississippi or Louisiana, we're all connected.“