United Way coordinates aid to three Mississippi
counties
By Jeff Holmquist, Managing Editor, New Richmond News
The United Way of St. Croix County has
"adopted" the Gulfport and Biloxi, Mississippi area in the
wake of Hurricane Katrina.
According to John Coughlin, executive
director of the United Way of St. Croix County, the local non-profit
organization decided to focus its relief efforts on one specific
disaster area to maximize the impact.
"We'll be able to see where our
money and supplies are going," he said.
The effort will assist residents in three
of the hardest hit counties on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The local aid
will be funneled through the United Way of South Mississippi
organization in Gulfport.
"The need on the coast is enormous
so we decided to focus in on a specific geographic area so we can have
direct contact and get them what they need most," Coughlin said.
"Gulfport and Biloxi really took a beating. Our goal is to help
these communities with both short- and long-term recovery."
Volunteers from United Way, the Rotary
Club of New Richmond and area schools and businesses will be gathering
donations at the County Market in New Richmond this coming weekend. A
truck donated by Express Lube and Rental will be parked in the County
Market lot. Donations will be transferred to a local warehouse for
sorting and packaging prior to the trip south.
Donations will be gathered from 3 to 7
p.m. Friday, Sept. 16; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17; and 11 a.m.
to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18.
Cash donations and specific supplies will
be accepted. One hundred percent of cash donations will be forwarded
directly to help families rebuild their lives, Coughlin said.
One or more trucks will take donations to
Mississippi leaving on Sept. 20. The United Way will take supplies
gathered in other communities and is encouraging anyone involved in a
relief effort to call 715-377-0203 if they need assistance trucking
items to the affected area. The shipment is expected to reach Gulfport
on Sept. 22. Among the specific items needed for the drive are new
men's, women's and children's underwear, t-shirts, socks, sweat shirts
and sweat pants. No used or other clothing will be collected. Food and
water donations are also not the focus of this effort since other relief
agencies are already providing those items.
Disposable diapers and pull-ups, infant
wipes and diaper rash cream are among the infant items being requested.
Household items requested include bleach, duct tape, tarps, flashlights
and batteries, garbage bags, gloves (latex and work), matches, paper
towels, paper plates, plastic tableware, toilet paper and facial tissue.
First aid items needed include adhesive
bandages, aspirin, ibuprofen, antiseptic ointment, hydrocortisone cream,
insect repellent and sunscreen.
Toiletry needs are waterless hand
sanitizers, handi-wipes, disposable razors and shaving cream, soap,
deodorant and feminine hygiene items.
Kids items requested include activity and
coloring books, crayons, pencils and small stuffed animals.
Coughlin said he's been impressed with
how local residents have responded to the announced donation drive on
the first weekend. He noted that many items were collected even though
the drive was initially announced primarily by e-mail, the internet and
word of mouth. Coughlin also expressed appreciation to the volunteers
and donors.
Among the larger donations collected
Saturday were 500 pairs of rubber boots, which will come in handy during
clean-up operations.
School supplies, household items and
toiletries were among the typical donations.
