From a half-million dollars already sent by the Diocese of St. Petersburg's nearly 400,000 Catholics to more than $5,000 raised so far by Tampa's much smaller Jewish community, the faithful continue to respond. Their nonprofit agencies also offer people who are not church members opportunities to help.

Bishop Robert Lynch of the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg hopes special collections this weekend will raise even more money.

``Bishop Lynch knows how generous the people of the diocese are,'' said Mary Jo Murphy, diocese spokeswoman. ``During hurricane relief they raised over $550,000.''

The public can mail checks made payable to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore MD 21203-7090 or donate with a credit card by calling 1-800-736-3467.

Baby Supplies

Local United Methodist churches are giving money and assembling survival kits to send through the United Methodist Committee on Relief, its humanitarian agency.

``We got a number of calls last week,'' said Michael Wacht, communications director for the state's United Methodist churches.

Supplies for health and layette kits and medicine boxes are geared to meet the needs of tsunami survivors.

At Big Bend United Methodist in Riverview, members are focusing on financial donations to the committee on relief, known as UMCOR.

``That way we really know where the money's going,'' said the pastor, John Guerre.

Big Bend's 600 members are being encouraged to give - and pray.

``We've opened up the church sanctuary to pray for the new year, tsunami, Iraq, North Korea,'' Guerre said.

To contribute, mail checks to UMCOR, 475 Riverside Drive, Room 330, New York NY 10115 - designate on the check ``for UMCOR Advance #274305'' and ``South Asia Emergency.'' Online donations can be made at www.methodistrelief.org, and credit-card donations can be made by calling 1-800-554-8583.

Members of the Progressive National Baptist Convention plan to pass collection plates every Sunday this month to raise money for victims, said the Rev. James Favorite of Beulah Baptist Institutional Church.

Another special collection will be taken when the Progressive convention, the National Baptist Convention, and the National Baptist Convention of America meet Jan. 22 in Nashville, Tenn.

The Tampa Bay Baptist Association is relying on member churches to get the money quickly to where it is needed most, Executive Director Tom Biles said. The money will be channeled through Bible Church International in Tampa, which has many members from Thailand. With their connections, Biles said, the donations will be wired directly to people in Bangkok who are coordinating disaster relief.

``The banking system is in disarray,'' he said. ``But we have this connection that will eliminate that wait.''

Monetary donations can be sent to: Thailand Relief Fund, c/o Tampa Bay Baptist Association, 1060 W. Busch Blvd., Tampa FL 33612.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is asking members to mail donations to Humanitarian Aid Fund, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 50 E. N. Temple St., Salt Lake City UT 84150.

The church plans to redirect its ``fast offerings'' as well. Latter-day Saints regularly fast the first Sunday of each month and donate the value of the two or more meals to charity.

``There are a lot of church members there now helping in every way they can,'' said Janis Gillrie, regional director of public affairs.

The Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida has designated Sunday as Tsunami Victims Relief Sunday. Churches will take up a special collection during services, said Jim De La, director of communications.

All donations will be sent to the Episcopal Relief and Development, a national agency. The organization says $250,000 has been raised.

``We've been in touch with the Diocese of Sri Lanka. The bishop there has requested shelter,'' De La said, so some of the money will buy tents.

Children Give

The Tampa Jewish Federation has been collecting financial donations for tsunami survivors since the day after the waves hit. ``In the Jewish tradition, it is believed that saving a life is one of the highest good deeds you can perform,'' said Daniel Staffenberg, chief development officer for the federation. The money will be sent to United Jewish Communities, a national organization that oversees local agencies. Jews in the United States have raised more than $3 million.

Locally, ``checks are coming in daily. We've even had little children come by and give us $3 or $5,'' Staffenberg said.

Checks can be sent to: Tampa Jewish Federation, 13009 Community Campus Drive, Tampa FL 33625. Mark the envelope ``Tsunami Relief.''

The Presbytery of Tampa Bay is directing efforts for its 79 Presbyterian churches, said Gerry Tyer, executive presbyter. Checks should be sent to: Presbytery of Tampa Bay, 2001 Rainbow Drive, Suite 2, Clearwater FL 33765. Mark the envelope ``Tsunami Relief.''

Reporter Michelle Bearden and editor Penny Carnathan contributed to this report.