On Sept. 15, business and restaurant owners in the Village are planning to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina by donating a percentage of their sales that day.

"The participating merchants will have Katrina Relief Fund posters in their windows with business hours and the percentage of sales they're contributing to the fund, either to the Red Cross or the Salvation Army," Bella Saratoga owner Bill Cooper said.

Village merchants met Sept. 8 at Bella Saratoga to hammer out the details of their fund drive. Cooper said about 20 merchants had signed up by noon that day and he anticipates more will be coming on board.

Cooper estimated that businesses would pledge between 20 percent to 50 percent of their Sept. 15 sales revenues to the fund, with the possibility of some donating up to 100 percent.

"We started last week but really got things rolling this week," Cooper said. "There's going to be musicians playing on the sidewalks in front of businesses before lunch and dinner. We're trying to have a little New Orleans-style fun and try to help out and raise some money for people who need it."

Sent Sovi manager Ann Combs said the images of destruction and human tragedy from Hurricane Katrina had a strong effect on her. "I just think it was so devastating and we want to do what we can," she said. "We're all feeling a little helpless and we hope anything we can do is helpful."

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, communities across the nation are organizing relief efforts. Saratogans in a variety of capacities are getting involved in getting help to those that need it. Saratoga Councilwoman Aileen Kao attended a meeting Sept. 7 with San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzalez and various community leaders in Santa Clara County in order to coordinate relief efforts.

The business community in the Village in Saratoga is hoping its grassroots effort helps to rebuild lives and communities in the affected areas. "We're just trying to get together as a city and do what we can," Combs said. "Everyone is really coming together and working as a community."

Cooper said that on Sept. 15 people who come downtown should look for posters in the windows indicating the establishments are participating in the Katrina Relief Fund. Shoppers. Shoppers and diners will know a percentage of their money is going to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.