A truckload of supplies for Hurricane Relief

[Truckerdoc]

Yesterday was a remarkable day for synchronicity:

At 7:00 am I read an email from a stranger (Shelly) who wanted to organize a tractor-trailer of supplies to take to Hurricane ravaged areas. Shelly is trained in disaster relief.

At 7:40 am I received a call from an owner/operator and ATA road team captain (Joe Orie) who had a burden to take a tractor trailer of supplies to the south.

I put Joe and Shelly in touch with each other.

In the meantime, we felt that the Highway Interdependence Day Celebration would be an excellent time to receive donations if we got the truck. One of our committee members will also provide a smaller truck and another drop off location

At 4:12 p.m Joe called to tell me that his company would provide the tractor-trailer.

At 4:30 p.m. a reporter from our major newspaper called to get background information about the Highway Interdependence Day. I told him about the Celebration and about our hurricane relief efforts. He is writing an article about it.

I thought you might be interested in seeing the list of supplies that survivors from these disaster areas need; it made me stop and think. These are the donations that we will be taking.

PAPER PRODUCTS
cups/plates plastic forks/spoons
tampons/sanitary pads
toilet paper/paper towels
mouth and nose masks (paper)
BABY CARE
pampers
baby food
baby bottles
baby wipes
FOOD
can openers for the canned foods
non-perishable food items
pet food
WATER WATER WATER
AND water purification tablets
CLEANING PRODUCTS/BAGS
clorox
garbage bags, ziploc baggies
MEDICATIONS/SUNDRIES
neosporin...for bugs/fire ants bites to reduce infection/impetigo(sp)
tylenol, aspirin, anti-diarrheal meds
eye drops
band-aids
rubbing alcohol & peroxide
sunscreen.............kids and adults
hand sanitizer/soap that is used without water
deodorant
insect repellent
CLOTHING & LINENS
practical light-weight clothes
rubber boots and gloves
blankets/pillows
MISCELLANEOUS
batteries.....
lanterns - battery operated
tarps/plastic rolls
TEDDY BEARS FOR THE CHILDREN (psychological comfort)

[Truckerdoc]

More people are stepping up to the plate with the relief mission

The Deputy Chief of the Scranton Fire Department connected us to a fire department in Baton Rouge that will receive the shipment and disperse the supplies.

On Friday the local chapter of the Red Cross called me to get information about the shipment. They had been receiving tons of calls from people wanting to donate supplies - not money. Since we are the only ones in this area collecting supplies, they are referring these callers to us.

Yesterday on the radio show, I announced that we were collecting supplies. A company in Hazleton offered to be a drop spot for that area, the Sprint store in Scranton is a drop spot and will bring the items to us in boxes. Two fire departments in other areas have volunteered to also be
drop spots. One volunteer fire dept. will even accept cash donations and buy needed items.

A student at the local high school organizing a teddy bear drive for the children and a manager at the Office Max is organizing a Teddy Bear drive at her church. Today's paper had a big article about the effect this tragedy is having on the children, so they need something soft to cuddle.

Meanwhile we have another truck driver working with his big company to take items to Louisiana; we just have to give the company the drop site and other info. in writing. As soon as we have met the paperwork requirements and everything is 100%, I'll let you know who the company is.

Meanwhile, the newpaper article about the Highway Interdependence DAy and the hurricane relief mission was in today's paper. The reporter gave the HIDC a great write-up and listed all the supplies that we were collecting.

He ended the article with a quote from me: "this is what truck drivers do; they help people"

The reporter gave Shelly's White's (the originator of this idea )number to contact about the hurricane relief, and she has been inundated with calls all day. People even drove out to the stadium today to drop off supplies.

I want to leave you with a note from Shelly to me: Thank you for really really getting the ball rolling for me... I have learned so much...and I have a different appreciation for the truckers who drive, drive drive, to make sure we all have that roll of toilet paper or bread or whatever...