A young Peters man who spent nearly a year aiding Katrina flood victims in New Orleans is back home and in need of a helping hand himself.

Mark Smith, 23, was volunteering with AmeriCorps on March 27 when he was shot several times in the stomach and left arm after he and another volunteer tried to stop a car theft.

He underwent three surgeries to repair liver and lung damage before being discharged. His parents, Ray and Marianne, who had flown to New Orleans the day after the shooting, brought him home in a rented van that was outfitted with an air mattress.

"It was rough on them," said Mr. Smith, a 2007 Grove City College graduate and former captain of the school's basketball team.

After nearly a month of care at home, he reported last Sunday that his arm is still healing but "I'm feeling good." He added that he has been walking almost three miles every day and is able to drive.

However, the ordeal has left him with unpaid medical bills, especially from the hospital in New Orleans.

Friends, business associates and neighbors of the Smiths have joined together to set up bank accounts and organize benefit fund-raisers to assist with the bills.

Bank accounts for donations on Mr. Smith's behalf have been set up at Community Bank, 4139 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317, and at Bayer Heritage Credit Union, 100 Bayer Road, Pittsburgh 15205. Donations should be marked to the attention of "Mark's Fund."

The Peters Township Federation of Teachers was one of the sponsors of a car wash that had been scheduled for May 3 at Century Sports, McMurray Road and Route 19, in Peters. The fund-raiser was postponed because of inclement weather, but organizers are planning to reschedule it. Mr. Smith is a Peters Township High School graduate.

New Orleans police have a suspect in custody. As police piece together the evidence in New Orleans, it isn't clear whether Mr. Smith will have to return to testify.

"I don't plan to go back at this point, but it's kind of hard to say because I'm still recovering," Mr. Smith said.