La Caņada Flintridge resident Chris Magarian, with the assistance of LCHS Principal Dr. Damon Dragos, will be staging an event to collect donations to aid Hurricane Katrina victims this Sunday. It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the La Caņada High School administration building.

"My heart has been breaking for these people," Magarian said. "Our compassion and support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina is what defines our nation. We are a people who come together when disaster strikes, when the cries of our neighbors are heard around the country.

"When people heard about the event we're having at La Caņada High School, we received so many telephone calls. Within the first four hours we publicized what we were doing, we had at least 100 calls from local residents! It's also amazing how many want to be involved. My kids Ari and Ani were instrumental in making flyers and putting them all over the school."

Magarian said she is seeking donations of bottled water, toothpaste and toothbrushes, diapers, deoderant and mouthwash, hair care products, nail care products, sweaters and light jackets, sheets and blankets, children's clothing and shoes, garbage bags, books, toys, crayons and coloring books. All supplies should be wrapped in cellophane or sealed in boxes.

She is also accepting monetary donations, but only in the form of checks or money orders. (They should be made payable to the Salvation Army.) Magarian said all donations will be transported to the Salvation Army warehouses in the city of Bell, Calif., for eventual delivery to the Gulf states.

Dr. Ucar and Dr. Tchekmedyian of Glendale's Pacific Shores Medical Group have "already donated tons of stuff," Magarian said.

"I'm happy our students are taking an interest in helping others," Principal Dragos said. "They really appreciate the quality of life they have in La Caņada. They want to help those who aren't as fortunate. It's very refreshing to see.

"It's great that Chris (Magarian) is doing this for people she doesn't know, just because it's the right thing to do."

"It's amazing how many people have responded," Magarian said. "Hopefully a lot of people will show up Sunday."

For further information about the event, call (323) 969-4067.