10-05-05
Common Man Caravan Update:
By Ross Anthony

Jim and Sue of Willits, California launch 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 departure date remains October 6th.

Jim put 10 quarts of fresh oil in his ‘91 Ford pickup with a camper shell. Sue sorted the donated supplies at a space offered by the owners of Curves of Willets. The phone has been ringing and friends have been giving handshakes with $20 bills rolled up warmly in the palm, “This if for gas,” or “We’re so proud of you for what you’re doing.”

Casey has arrived from Berkeley to join the caravan as a driver and volunteer and has helped loading the trailer with donated supplies that Sue and the kids had organized while doing laundry. Ross has arrived up from L.A. to join the caravan. He’s set up the laptop and cell phone to provide press releases for local papers and radio stations.

Beatrice from Switzerland has sent a supply of baby items from overseas . Kenny at Willets tire was kind enough to grease up the trailer wheels compliments to the mission. And Jim swung the rig around the car wash.

The new plan has the 3 trailer caravan paced with the first trailer leaving early morning October 6th, the second on October 9th, and the third TBA.

The finalized route will take the staggered caravan through Yuba City, Truckee, Reno, along 95 to Las Vegas, then 40 all the way to Little Rock, hard right down South. Your cash donations can still be used even while the caravan is on the road. Contact Sue at 707-459-5495 (Willits).

If you aren't far from the caravan route, you are encouraged 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. Thank you for all you may already be doing to help out those in need!

Partial list of Thank You’s! Annie at Ancient Circles, Beatrice, Mary & Fred, Kingsley, Girl Scouts of Willits, Kenny, Curves of Willits, Willits Food Bank, Women at Mariposa Market, John & Sheri, Anne, Sparetime Supply, Printing Plus, House Doctor Paints, Henrietta, Lynn, Shane, Mendocino Peace Relief, Zach, Willits Pond Bank, 101 RV, Whinin Whimmin Jewelry, Michelle, Omaya, Pam, Motherspring. THANK YOU!

For more updates/press releases click here: PRESS RELEASES/UPDATES.