People Nationwide Pitching In

Hurricane Katrina is quickly becoming the worst national disaster in United States history.

Officials are urging people to donate money and other items to help the desperate victims of the storm. And, reports co-anchor Hannah Storm on The Early Show Thursday, Americans from coast to coast are stepping up, doing everything they can to lend a hand.

In New York City, Fire Battalion Chief Joe Downey's firefighter father died on 9-11.

"Obviously," he says, "my dad's always in the back of my mind, what he's done for the nation, and then for New York City."

Now, it's Downey's urban search and rescue team's turn to answer the call.

"I'm sure (my dad's) glad that we're heading (to areas ravaged by Katrina)," Downey adds.

A Denver-area blood drive gave Paul Owen a personal connection to the Gulf coast: "Hearing these stories is heartrending. It just tears at you. …I feel (giving blood) is a good way to donate services, because you know it goes directly to the people who most need it."

Charlotte, N.C. radio listeners have donated eight tractor-trailers filled with supplies, and more than $100,000 to the Red Cross.

"Basically," says radio host TJ, "it's just the right thing to do."

Furniture store owner Hilton Koch is rushing to put a roof on his Houston warehouse so it can be used as a shelter. There'll be enough room for 400 to 500 refugees.

He barks out orders: "Let's go ahead to make plans to get it closed up and to get people in … as soon as quick as we can."

It's all because of a call from a friend Koch went to high school with in Louisiana.

Says Koch: "I always thought in the back of my mind that, one day, we'll be able to do something that will really, really make a difference in people's lives."