Christmas is the season of giving, and the congregations at twoLincoln County churches are taking the tradition to heart inhelping tent city residents in D’Iberville have a happyholiday.

The congregations of Ruth and Union Hall Baptist churches haveteamed in an effort to reduce the depression among approximately110 people living in tents in that city following HurricaneKatrina.

“We decided we wanted to do something to help them, so we drovedown to the coast and looked for them,” said Pam Thompson, one ofthe charity drive’s organizers from Ruth Baptist Church.

Organizers are looking for others to help. Churchrepresentatives will deliver donated items to the coastThursday.

The drive was started by the church’s youth groups, Thompsonsaid.

“It’s amazing how the youth have become the leaders inorganizing many of the charity drives,” said Kayla Cantrell, anorganizer from Union Hall Baptist Church. “These are the leaders ofthe future and it’s comforting to see the compassion theyhave.”

Representatives from the churches spent a day on the coastgetting names and what families needed to help them survive duringrecovery operations. The group first approached a tent city in PassChristian, but residents there said they were receiving assistanceand directed the group to a tent city in D’Iberville.

“The conditions there are very poor,” Thompson said.

Jan Williams, also of Ruth Baptist Church, agreed.

“They’re on the D’Iberville High School football field in armytents,” she said. “They have a tent to sleep in and separate(communal) tents for showers and eating.”

Most of the school classes there are also being conducted intents, Cantrell said.

The D’Iberville tent city is mostly comprised of single menbetween the ages of 18 and 20 who lost their homes and valuablesand are now helping in recovery efforts, Thompson said.

“They have no family ties to the area and no homes,” she said.”What we’re needing are backpacks or book bags for them.”

The backpacks are necessary because the men are having to takewhat valuables they have left to the job site with them because thetents are unsecure, Thompson said.

Other residents of the tent city include 15 single women, fiveyoung couples and approximately 25 children, she said.

Any items that could help would be appreciated, Thompson said.Any extra items will go to other tent cities or people living indamaged homes under “horrible” conditions, she said.

Each person is also receiving a Bible supplied by thechurches.

People can arrange for a drop-off time at one of the churches ora pick-up by calling Jan Williams at 249-3226 or 810-0206 orCantrell at 833-9500 or 757-0845.