Delaware - email from Lt. Gov. Carney re Katrina Assistance Opportunity:

[cyberpj]

Delaware Assists Victims of Hurricane Katrina
September 20, 2005

Greetings!

On Thursday, September 15th, I joined Wilmington Councilman Charles Potter, State Rep. Dennis Williams and volunteers from Teamsters Local 326 and the surrounding community at the Police Athletic League of Wilmington to pack a 53-foot tractor-trailer with supplies for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

It was the first of a number of trips to the Gulf coast I hope to help coordinate over the next few months. Delawareans have been extremely generous since the devastating hurricane, but the needs of those displaced by Katrina will continue for a long time.

The truck and driver, which were supplied by Ruan Transport of Middletown, is headed to Baton Rouge, La., where it will deliver food, water, clothes, toiletries and other needed goods to a multi-agency warehouse that distributes supplies to shelters and food pantries, and to Jefferson Baptist Church, which also has a large distribution operation.

The effort was a great example of a handful of diverse groups coming together. Councilman Potter and Rep. Williams worked to collect goods at the PAL. The Teamsters and their vice president Mike Ciabattoni worked with one of their employers, Ruan, to secure a truck and a driver for several runs. Local beverage distributors NKS Distributors, Tenui Corporation and Canada Dry Distributors of Wilmington donated water and juice.

While we’ve been coordinating efforts in Delaware, I’ve been working with Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu of Louisiana and Lt. Governor Amy Tuck of Mississippi to identify the most pressing needs of those displaced by the storm and where they want supplies shipped. We asked them, “What do you want and where do you need it?" Our goal is to send the products they need to where they need them most.

We are already making plans for the next trip. If you are interested in contributing, here’s what they need so far: toiletries of all kinds, including toothpaste, shaving cream and hair care items for African-Americans; household cleaning supplies; non-perishable food items, particularly individually-wrapped snacks; baby food – not formula – baby wipes and diapers.

The next truck will load more individual donations at the PAL along with more beverages from our business partners. Those who are interested in helping or want the latest details on future collections should call my state office – in Wilmington (577-8787) or Dover (744-4333).

Sincerely,

John Carney
Friends of John Carney

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