Volunteers with the Crawford Peace House and those involved with the Camp Casey action initiated here by Cindy Sheehan in August are collecting and distributing water and other needed items to the victims of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. Most of these donations are those left from the breakdown of the camps in Crawford earlier this week. Some funds donated for Camp Casey needs and not used are also being redirected to the relief work.
Hundreds of cases of leftover bottled water were taken from the Peace House to collection points in nearby Waco on Thursday and Friday for distribution by humanitarian agencies.
In addition to the donations coming directly from the Peace House in Crawford, supporters from around the country who came to Crawford to stand with Cindy are now organizing collection points in their own communities and offering space in their homes for the displaced residents of the evacuated areas. These actions are being coordinated through various Web sites and listservs, including Camp Casey Alumni (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/campcaseyalumni).
The humanitarian aid began flowing out of Crawford on Wednesday, when the departing Veterans for Peace (chapter 116 of Mendocino County) bus dubbed "The White Rose" took cases of water and other items eastward and eventually set up "Camp Casey - Covington" in Covington, Louisiana, north of New Orleans. They are now operating out of Covington's Pine View Middle School on 28th Street, where VFP members are coordinating collection and distribution, as well as medical support from medics on hand. Many of the grassroots collections through Camp Casey Alumni listserv are focusing on getting supplies to the Covington group.
Camp Casey donations and support include:
* A Crawford Peace House delivery of water, canned food, tarps, blankets and chairs will leaving Austin Saturday afternoon for Camp Casey Covington
* Jamie from Camp Casey dropped a truckload of water in Covington last night with the Red Cross
* James our great computer tech guru is on his way with additional satellite communications support.
* Ben from Austin is leaving Monday with a truck load of donated water and supplies from Café Mundi
* A man from Ft. Hood has pickup loaded with supplies and is on his way now
* The North Arkansas VFP is sending a truck of supplies to Covington as well
* Norman, Oklahoma activists have collected over $5000 and will leave Sunday with water, diesel fuel and other supplies.
The most recent list of need from Camp Casey - Covington:
* Diesel fuel
* Baby Supplies, Wipes, diapers, lotions, Not MREs
* Water, Water, Water, and Ice maker, purification tablets.
* A big generator! Rent one and put in to a rented trailer.
* Solar powered Lights! get them at Lowe's or Cosco.
* Hard Candy like lolly pops for the kids.
Updates/Contacts:
Crawford Peace House: www.crawfordpeacehouse.org
The White Rose: www.vfproadtrips.org
Bring Them Home Now: www.bringthemhomenowtour.org