Local groups and organizations have been digging deep into their hearts and pockets to bolster the humanitarian effort in Haiti. Some have already collected and sent packages or contributed dollars toward relief aid, while others continue to gather supplies for the long-term recovery. Here’s a sampling of East County residents’ generous efforts:

Lending a hand

• Fifth-graders in Greg Carmon’s class at Pioneer Elementary in Brentwood have challenged themselves to raise money for UNICEF relief efforts in Haiti. The class chose UNICEF because 100 percent of donations gathered will go to help the children in need. So far the class has collected more than $100 in recycled cash that the students had been planning to use toward their Walk Through the Revolution assembly in February.

“It was one of those moments as a teacher where you know you’ve taught a true life lesson,” said Carmon.

• The Edna Hill Middle School Bobcats Care program has raised more than $500 for Haitian relief through a variety of treat-enticing fundraisers such as donut sales. The school’s ongoing recycling drive has also netted significant dollars for the effort.

“There’s no doubt that the Edna Hill Bobcats care,” said Edna Hill Teacher Traci Kemper.

How to help

• The Antioch Haiti Relief Effort, organized by the Antioch Rotary Club and comprised of Antioch service organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Club and the International Orphan Relief Foundation, is raising money for the purchase of Shelter Boxes, Life Boxes and HydrAID water filtration systems. Shelter Boxes will provide up to 10 people with temporary shelter and supplies. Life Boxes offer clothing and supplies for six people and the HydraAID bio-sand water filters can provide a family with clean water for 10 years. To make a donation, make a check payable to ACOC Community Foundation, write “Haiti” in the memo line and mail it to or drop it off at any ECC Bank branch. Or send a check to Antioch Rotary, P.O. Box 692, Antioch, CA 94509. For additional information or to volunteer your organization, call Gordon Gravelle at 925-706-7887 or Allen Payton at 925-457-5324.

• Somersville Towne Center in Antioch is partnering with the American Red Cross to collect monetary donations for the Haitian relief effort. Contributions in the form of cash, check or credit card are welcome and envelopes are available at the Guest Services desk inside the mall in front of Macy’s. Monetary donations are also accepted online at www.redcross.org.

• Project Linus – a nationwide organization that provides new handmade blankets to children in need – is making and sending blankets to Haiti. To help by making a blanket, providing dollars for the effort or physically help with the packaging of the blankets, contact Jeanne Akin at 510-459-7457.

• Delta Vista Middle School students have joined forces with the Sport Chalet in Slatten Ranch to collect gently used or new shoes for the children of Haiti. Eighth-grader Blaine Frankie came up with the idea on a recent visit to Sport Chalet and teamed with the store and school to coordinate the shoe drive. Donations may be dropped off at Delta Vista or the Sports Chalet by Jan. 31.