mission completed!
Common Man Caravan Update:
By Ross Anthony

All told, I spent exactly seven days on the road with the Common Man Caravan. Three guys in a Ford pickup, rotating every three hours, sleeping, navigating, driving. We pulled that trailer 2500 miles, unhitched it, then drove back another 2500 miles. That's the nutshell.

We dropped off the trailer and supplies 40 minutes SW of New Orleans at a donation point for the Houma Tribe. In total, we spent an hour and a half at that location before getting back in the pickup and heading home. Some might find such an ending anti-climatic. And yes, I think we selfishly wanted to see the faces of the trailer-receiving family light up with gratitude, but that wasn't why Jim had decided to bring the trailer down. People were in need and he had the means to help -- so he did. So we did. We were fortunate enough to see the kids smile at the packets the Girl Scouts had donated and some older folks grateful for the pillows we had brought.

Mission Completed!

Important Lesson Reinforced: Sometimes you do things because you know they're right, because they feel right, they hail from the heart. And even though your mind (and lot's of other peoples' minds) can see "better ways" to do the same thing or "why your plan isn't that great" -- do your plan anyway. Do your plan because there's a snowball effect. The power of inspiration is so under-appreciated. In considering the efficiency/inefficiency of driving a trailer across country, some may forget to factor in the most important part -- inspiration. How many people reading these articles will say, "Heck, if they can drive a trailer from N. California all the way to New Orleans, why can't I get off my bottom and drive one down from Alabama or Kentucky or Mississippi or Ohio, etc. etc.?" Like Jim, I believe our common man caravan will serve as a strong motivator. I thank all of you for reading these updates and I do hope sincerely that you are moved, inspired (as I was), to give of yourself when you see your fellow man in need.

Partial list of Thank You’s! Annie Wellerat Ancient Circles, Beatrice, Mary & Fred Kingsley, Girl Scouts of Willits, Kenny at Willits Tire, Curves of Willits, Willits Food Bank, Staff at Mariposa Market, John & Sheri, Anne, Sparetime Supply, Printing Plus, Lisa, House Doctor Paints, Henrietta, Lynn, Shaneat OneStop Garden Shop, Zach from Mendocino Peace Relief, 101 RV, Michele at Whinin Whimmin Jewelry, Omaya atComputer Works Unlimited, Pam at Motherspring, Jason & Linda Schaffer of Sugar Magnolia, Carey Cleans, Ann Campell. THANK YOU!

Photo: Trailer arrives at the donation point just South of New Orleans.

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