Jackson County agencies and organizations are pulling together to host a telethon to raise money to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The telethon, called “Jackson County Cares,” will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. The telethon will be broadcast live over Sylva-based radio station 680 WRGC. Listeners will be asked to call in to make pledges, which will be collected through various local banks.

“The people of Jackson County are known for their generosity to those in need and the people of the Gulf Coast need our help like never before,” said WRGC General Manager David Skinner. “Let’s open our hearts and pocketbooks for these folks. They are hurting.”

Calls may be directed to WRGC at 828.586.2221, County Commission Vice Chairman Roberta Crawford at 828.586.2607, or County Manager Ken Westmoreland at 828.631.2295. Along with WRGC and the county commissioners, the Sylva Herald, the Sylva Rotary Club, WestCare and Western Carolina University have teamed up for the telethon effort.

In addition to the telethon, WRGC has taken the lead in coordinating other countywide fund-raising events.

“We are discussing other events, which could occur in conjunction with the radio broadcast. A few that come to mind are car washes, bake sales, whatever we recognize that what these people need most is money so support agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Red Cross can provide life-saving assistance in a coordinated way,” Skinner said.

As details come together they will be broadcast over WRGC and will appear on the station’s Web site, www.wrgc.com. Organizations or individuals who wish to organize events are asked to contact WRGC’s Annette Parris at 828.586.2221 or email her at aparris@gacaradio.com to avoid duplication of efforts.