From an hour's wage to a percentage of pizza proceeds, Wyomingites are responding in a big way to the news that the McMurry Foundation will match all donations up to $250,000 for the American Red Cross through Wyoming Gives, a partnership with Casper Star-Tribune Communications.

Groups are planning fundraisers, with all proceeds made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund and forwarded to Wyoming Gives, in care of Casper Star-Tribune, P.O. Box 1630, Casper, WY 82602. Only the money received through Wyoming Gives will be matched by the McMurry Foundation, up to $250,000.

In Riverton, Central Wyoming College employees are holding "Wednesday from Wyoming," this Wednesday, where an hour of wages will be donated to the American Red Cross.

"We're calling the City of Riverton, Fremont County, Wyoming community colleges and the University of Wyoming and the Governor's Office and asking if they want to join in," said Wendy Finch of CWC.

She hopes to have buttons made that say "I'm working on Wednesday from Wyoming."

Anyone who would like to join in may call Finch at (307) 855-2113 on Tuesday.

The seven employees of Dr. James Wetzel, O.D., in Casper, are holding drawings for prizes, some appropriate for adults and some for children, for anyone donating by cash or check to the American Red Cross at their office, 932 S. David, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., by Oct. 15.

"Seven or eight" financial institutions in Cody are banding together to advertise Wyoming Gives, according to Dawn Marchant of the Big Horn Federal Savings Bank.

"People feel comfortable knowing their money is getting to a good place," Marchant said, "and the McMurry's generosity just adds to that."

Wyoming Gives also is featured as the top link of the wyoming.com "Help the Hurricane Katrina Victims!" page.

"We're happy to help get the word out," said Steve Mossbrook, president of wyoming.com, which has 15,000 subscribers.

In Douglas, Gary Igo has about 30 players at Igo Oilfield Service.

He's going to tell his guys at their Tuesday safety meeting that any contribution they make will be matched by him and then forwarded to Wyoming Gives, which means an employees $20 contribution becomes $80 by the time it gets to the American Red Cross.

"Maybe it will turn a light on for somebody else to do that," Igo said.

In Casper, junior high music teacher Kathy Kirlin is organizing "Jazz for New Orleans," a free jazz session on Saturday, Oct. 8, at the Parkway Plaza, beginning at 8 p.m.

"I want people to come and enjoy the music New Orleans gave us," she said. "And I want any money people donate to go to Wyoming Gives, so it will be matched, but also, we all need healing and that's what this music is for."

Performers who have already committed to playing include the Casper College Jazz Ensemble, Diane von Gunten and Kirlin and her husband, Stan, who will play their jazz guitar set.

"I want to keep it to jazz, but anyone who'd like to participate can call me at 473-2003 or e-mail swkirlin@bresnan.net," she said.

The two things Kirlin needs are someone to handle the money part, collecting donations for the American Red Cross at the event and then forwarding them together to Wyoming Gives, and someone to print a poster advertising the event that a colleague can design for her.

Anyone who can help with either of those items may call or e-mail Kirlin this weekend.

In Sheridan, Sheridan Media, which owns four Sheridan radio stations, is partnering with the Sheridan Ministerial Association to get the word out about Wyoming Gives.

Much like Gary Igo in Douglas, WyoMedia will then match the donations raised in Sheridan before they are forwarded to Wyoming Gives for the McMurry match.

Beginning Monday at the Casper Pizza Huts, 20 percent of the proceeds from 5 to 9 p.m. each Monday in September will go to the American Red Cross via Wyoming Gives.

Casper Inside editor Sally Ann Shurmur can be reached at (307) 266-0532 or sallyann.shurmur@casperstartribune.net.

Wyoming Gives questions and answers

Please make your checks payable to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Send your donations to: Wyoming Gives, in care of Casper Star-Tribune, P.O. Box 1630, Casper, WY 82602.

Q: How can I help?

A: Send checks made to the American Red Cross to: Wyoming Gives, in care of Casper Star-Tribune, P.O. Box 1630, Casper, WY 82602.

Q: Can I contribute by credit card?

A: Stay tuned. Right now, we are asking people to send checks.

Q: What is a match?

A: The McMurry Foundation will contribute the same amount of money given by Wyoming people, up to $250,000, if the money is sent to Wyoming Gives.

Q: Why shouldn't I send my check right away to the American Red Cross?

A: While it's tempting to do so, you'll be doubling your contribution if you send it to Wyoming Gives. Casper Star-Tribune Communications will send the donations weekly straight to the American Red Cross. The day $250,000 is reached, McMurry Foundation will send its Wyoming Gives contribution.

Q: How much does my contribution have to be?

A: Any amount, literally, will be doubled if sent to Wyoming Gives. A check for $5 becomes $10; a check for $20 becomes $40, a check for $100 becomes $200.