09-28-05
Common Man Caravan Update:
By Ross Anthony

Jim and Sue of Willits, California are organizing a common man convoy of donated travel trailers to carry supplies and volunteers to those who need them as a result of Hurricane Katrina and Rita. The target date for departure is Oct 1st. However, Oct 6th is looking more realistic.

Jim has spread flyers across the local area, which has set his phone a ringing That is, if his two-year-old hasn't pulled the phone wire out of the wall. "When people finally get that we're bringing the travel trailers down and leaving them there -- that the trailer is the thing -- they love it! They get really psyched on the idea... they say, 'that's just the thing they [hurricane victims] need.'"

He expands, "A guy called today and has 200 pounds of personal hygiene stuff all individually packed for personal people dispensing. ... And we got fifty backpacks from the Girl Scout Troop in Willits which they filled with items for girls."

Sue adds, "And I'm now calling, looking for a Girl Scout Troop in Baton Rouge to help us distribute those backpacks. We've also got a guy on the coast who's calling, trying to give us a load of bikes."

Jim and Sue emphasize that the travel trailers are the main thing. They have one already in hand, partially stocked with supplies, and another travel trailer with tow vehicle and driver promised. They encourage you to poke around, ask your local RV dealer, or friend if they have a travel trailer that they would like to donate to hurricane victims. If so, contact Jim and Sue at 707-459-5495. They may also need tow vehicles and drivers.

As a writer, I ran into Jim while on tour with my books in Northern California. He inspired me to donate my time to write these press releases and even join him in the caravan. And so I am, but to help clarify my task, I asked Jim and Sue why they wanted press releases. Sue's answer: "To maintain awareness of the need for assistance in the gulf. And to promote the idea that individual people have the power to do something. If you have an idea, you can act on it; you don't have to do it through an agency. Our whole guiding philosophy is based on the power of the individual, everyone can do something."

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