Last year this time, my home county was hit bad by Hurricane Charley and needed help. This year they're helping someone else:
A convoy of trucks is scheduled to leave town this morning — escorted by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and destined for Katrina-ravaged Picayune, Miss.
"Everything for this was donated by businesses or the citizens of this community," said sheriff's Detective Shawn Ramsey.
About 13 semitrucks, being used courtesy of Sloane Transportation, were loaded with generators, food, water and equipment.
The convoy, which includes a loaded fuel tanker and six sheriff's deputies, is being coordinated with the organization Convoy of Hope and will include electricians and other skilled employees from Hyrdro Rock, Inc.
Ramsey said the volunteers will work to restore power at the local hospital and assist in getting the local airport operational.
"Even 20 miles north of the coast, the area is utterly unrecognizable," said Jeff Nene, spokesman for Convoy of Hope.
"The people we are serving are often in tears, thankful to receive something so small as bottled water and a couple of bags of ice," he said. "These are the simple things we often take for granted."
And when they're back on their feet, Picayune, Mississippi will be sending out trucks for some other place that's in a bad way.
Posted by floridacracker at September 4, 2005 08:01 AM