Residents open hearts and wallets for hurricane victims
Semi trailer will be at MHS football game Friday
The generosity of Marion County residents toward the relief effort for victims of Hurricane Katrina continues with donations coming in faster than volunteers can spend the funds on necessities.
Jacqueline Cusick of Golden Heritage Foods, Hillsboro, reported Monday a fifth truck was loaded and heading for Baton Rouge, La.
"Donated items were sorted and boxed by volunteers this past weekend," said Cusick.
However the truck wasn't quite full so Cusick and other volunteers took the cash donations and went on a spending spree to fill the truck with needed items.
Cusick remains in close contact with the church in Baton Rouge that is receiving the donated items for evacuees who currently are living at the church.
Another truck will be sent next week.
Among the items needed for that truck are buckets, plastic laundry baskets, laundry detergent, Ensure dietary supplement, vitamin C, preemie diapers, Depends with tabs, mosquito repellent, disinfectant, cleaning supplies, rubbing alcohol, toilet paper, school supplies, and new clothing — particularly socks and underwear.
"The cleaning supplies are used by volunteers who come in and clean the church on a regular basis," Cusick said.
A semi trailer will be at the Marion High School football game Friday night to accept donations or items can be dropped off at the Golden Heritage Foods plant in Hillsboro between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
Monetary donations have covered the expenses of the semi trailer loads. As monetary donations are received, items are being purchased for future loads.
"It's just been incredible how this has all come together in such a short period of time," Cusick said.
