Kathryn Loyacono loves her native Gulf Coast. She is hoping to give back today in an effort to help those devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

The long-time Bay St. Louis resident organized a two-woman scramble at the Vicksburg Country Club to benefit couples from the Coast region who lost their homes in Katrina.

&#8220We’re calling it the ‘Rest for the Weary Golf Tournament,’” Loyacono said of her event which was scheduled to tee off this morning with 15 teams. &#8220Katrina devastated the lives of thousands, many of whom are former classmates and friends of mine.”

Loyacono lived and taught school in Bay St. Louis until 1994. She married Vicksburg attorney Paul Kelly Loyacono and has lived here ever since.

She and her husband are avid golfers and she thought a golf tournament would be a good way to raise funds to help cover some essentials as some Coast residents move out of their FEMA trailers and into rebuilt homes.

&#8220What we’re using the entry fees for is to purchase mattresses and bedding. That’s where the ‘Rest for the Weary’ comes from,” she said.

&#8220Many are still trying to rebuild their lives and their homes and many are still fighting with their insurance companies for what they are due, still paying mortgages on homes that no longer exist and still paying flood insurance on homes that no longer exist because if they cancel those policies they will not be able to get insurance on their new residences,” Loyacono said.

Some Coast residents will be able to qualify for government grants if approved by FEMA, but that still leaves them short if they are paying off old mortgages and buying furnishings for the new home.

Each team member for the scramble was asked to pay $50 apiece to help out the Katrina victims.