CAP Update - Report on Relief Effort November 14, 2005
Please tell your friends about our web site, www.caprelief.com
Last week we sent requested diapers, fem. products along with some cleaning supplies, shoes, jeans, socks and underwear to Gulfport (thanks to Coke Plants here and there). Kathleen Smiley, Esq. who runs "Clothe the People" will distribute these items.
We took $100 from our donation money to buy jackets at thrift stores.
My son, Zeke, and I loaded up our newly acquired donated van (THANK YOU FRANK WADDELL from Charleston, SC and Roger Bellow for driving it to us!) and took supplies to the coast last weekend. Check out our pictures. Here's what we delivered:
Chatom, AL - several large boxes of baby formula, plastic bags, zipper bags, kids underwear and 2 sets of diabetic testing formula.
Ocean Springs - Made a great contact with a doc there who is supplying 30 other docs in the area. This was a contact I made on the way down so it was not a scheduled stop. We gave him 36 diabetic kits, some underwear, I think some jackets and a bag of first aid kits. He really liked our first aid kits--thanks Sally!
Biloxi- In Biloxi, my son commented on that I was right about how people on the outside world think that everything is OK down here now, but it's really not. My son is 16 and this is the first time I've been "right" about anything in a long time. :-) At Compassion Central located in the heart of a very poor section of town within view of the large casinos which were once there, we gave jackets, underwear and socks, blankets and a few precious tents we scored from United Way.
Bay St. Louis - Found a clinic in desperate need of the diabetic testing supplies- we gave them 36 kits, we also gave some underwear, socks, a few jackets and a few tents to Disaster Corps who said there were still people living in their vehicles.
Waveland - We arrived after dark and waited until morning to unload jackets, underwear and socks, tents and as many food boxes as we dared take in the van. Before we left Zeke and I took a short drive to the beach area. If you have never seen what a tidal wave can do up close, I think you would be shocked. It looks like each house was put into a giant food processor. It's quite different from the flooding in New Orleans. Still pictures just don't capture the enormity of it.
Gulfport - We stopped in to meet "The Clothes Lady", Kathleen Smiley and gave her just a few blankets and a sleeping bag. She was so excited over that sleeping bag!
These trips for me are essential to be able to get info first hand and make contacts in the area. By doing this and keeping up with a volunteer forum board and database we are able to know who needs what.
Here is what we are collecting now.
1) One doctor or nurse practitioner is desperately needed in Waveland. Please call me if you are qualified and want to volunteer. 251-0111. They had someone scheduled fall through. They see 60-80 PT's a day. They need someone to fill in until scheduled person arrives. This particular site is closing down day after Thanksgiving so it can't be longer than 2 weeks. You can bunk in a tractor trailer and work in a tent that makes you think of MASH. They do have hot showers (also like MASH) and the food, prepared by the Rainbow people, is excellent- no kidding! All I can say is that you will be so glad you did it.
2) Tents and camping equipment
3) CANNED FOOD (fruits, veggies and meats)
4) Charcoal (would rather have more small bags than a few large bags), lighter fluid, small BBQ grills (table top kind)
5) Baby items, in particular baby lotion, shampoo and powder and diaper wipes
6) Baby clothes
7) Work boots
8) Sweat shirts
9) Jackets
10) Jeans
11) Underwear and socks!!!!! See "Sign the Pledge" on www.caprelief.com
12) Blankets
13) Feminine Products
Also, if you want to volunteer in the area you would be most welcome. It will be something you'll remember the rest of your life. You don't have to clean debris. The distribution centers also need help.
Tomorrow I have to return the cell phone that Cingular Wireless so generously donated to our effort. THANK YOU CINGULAR WIRELESS and Leslie for letting us have it for such a long time.
We are trying to get another phone donated with unlimited use so that we can continue our operations. Check our web site, www.caprelief.com in the next few days.
THANK YOU ALL FOR SUPPORTING THIS EFFORT!!
Please continue to do so. :-)
If you would like to be removed from this list--good luck. Just kidding, reply to this email with subject line, "please remove" and I will do my best to find which group you are in and remove your name. Laura
Laura Parenteau
Admin. Assist./Disaster Relief Coord.
City Action Partnership (CAP)
1801 Third Ave. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
205-251-0111 wk
205-317-3971 cell
www.capisdowntown.com
email: capbham@aol.com
|
