Y2K is in the future, in the mean while, we have seen the suffering in North Carolina. They are without, the basics as we know it. Where is the humanity that cares for others. A few years ago, "they" posted trucks where people could take their excess items to go to the victims of Andrew (I think). Where are the trucks now? We, the fortunate ones, have "stuff" in our homes, just taking up space. We have a heart, just can't comprehend how to get "it" from here to "there". Wish that we could start a "Grass Roots" movement for those under distress. How about you Truckers? Got an empty truck, headed that way? I've got a good condition, sleeper sofa, pot and pans, know of a few more willings. Where are you America?

-- Nana (drac@mediaone.net), September 23, 1999

Answers

Mahalo Nui Loa for your thoughtful and RELEVANT posting Nana. I really love this forum and most all of the people here. It's interesting though that when I have posted similar reflections aimed at the more compassionate side of the issues, the silence is deafening. Of course I have been diligently prepping for a long time now, but if I am forced to think about a life where I'm a "have" and the others in my community are "havenots", it becomes impossible for me. I fully accept that whatever preparations I've made I'll share. What else can I do? What's the point of living a life in constant defense? Besides, I BELIEVE in community and, as I've tried to say before, my number one prep has been the community around me. Will I exchange my integrity as a human being for a few extra months, days? No, I will not. I may go as "grngrl" but that is a reference to my technical understandings. I have lived through war, deprivation and horror. My experience has taught me that when it all really comes down, I better not be relying on that can of beans to see me through. It will be the relationships that I have carefully "prepped" that will count.

Sorry -- back to your original concerns -- I'm out in the middle of the ocean, and so trucking anything to N.C. is impossible. Also, I work with an economically deprived population. But I thank you for the reminder that there are those in need -- I'll make a point of getting a lot of written (post cards and letters, etc.) out to let them know they're not forgotten.

God blesses you for your concern.

Aloha, grngrl.

-- grngrl (jhandt@gte.net), September 24, 1999.

Good thoughts, Nana. Here's some information from the WRAL-TV (Raleigh) website:

How You Can Help:

Volunteering: (888) 835-9966

Contributions:

Check our county-by-county database for specific locations of businesses accepting donations.

WRAL Floyd Relief:

Monetary donations will go to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Checks should be made out to either agency, earmarked "WRAL Floyd Relief", and mailed to:

Salvation Army Divisional Headquarters P.O. Box 241808 Charlotte, N.C. 28224-1808 1-800-SAL-ARMY

American Red Cross 100 Peartree Lane Raleigh, N.C. 27610 (800) HELP-NOW (435-7669) or (800) 257-7575 (Espanol) You can also donate by credit card through WRAL OnLine

Hurricane Floyd Disaster Relief Fund Office of the Governor 20301 Mail Service Center Raleigh, N.C. 27699-0301 (800) 462-9021

Food Bank of North Carolina: 3808 Tarheel Drive Raleigh, N.C. 27609

NCDA Farmer Disaster Fund P.O. Box 27647 Raleigh, N.C. 27611 Attn: Jim Graham, Commissioner of Agriculture

Centura Bank is accepting donations benefitting the American Red Cross at all locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

[Note from OG--the Red Cross does not accept donations other than money; the Salvation Army will take nonperishables, hygiene items, baby supplies, and so on. I'd call them about donating big items.]

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 24, 1999.

http://www.nascar.com/news/1999news/September/23/00990080.html

Trucks and trailers needed for flood relief

HARRISBURG, N.C. (Sept. 23, 1999) Hayride 500 III swung into full action Wednesday with volunteers manning phones, recruiting additional volunteers and searching for trucks and trailers to transport donations to flood ravaged parts of eastern North Carolina.

Donation centers opened at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, and will remain open throughout the weekend. Additional drop-off points will open Thursday at the following locations:

Hendrick Motorsports Museum, Harrisburg, N.C.

Bass Pro Shop, Concord Mills, Concord, N.C.

Harry Folger Chevrolet, Pilot Mountain, N.C.

Prime Outlets, Morrisville, N.C.

Weasels, Maxton, N.C.

Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn.

Flying J Travel Plaza, Knoxville, Tenn.

Flying J Travel Plaza, Lake Park, Ga.

Although the primary need at this time is for bottled water, residents of the flood-stricken areas are also in desperate need of the following:

Non-perishable food items

Baby food

Baby formula (pre-mixed)

Diapers

Baby wipes

Plastic baby bottles

Undergarments

Light windbreakers or rain coats

Flip-flops

Toiletry items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, razors, shave cream, soap, brushes, combs, deodorant, mouthwash, towels, washcloths)

Household cleaning items (paper towels, laundry detergent, sponges, bleach, scrub brushes, hand soap, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, dish detergent, disinfectant spray, toilet paper, hand wipes)

Outdoor cleaning items (shovels, rakes, brooms, rubber gloves, rubber boots, garden hoses, spray nozzles)

Donation points will be open throughout the weekend. Items will be transported in a convoy led by NASCAR teams including rigs from Hendrick Motorsports and Mattei Motorsports. Volunteers are needed from civic organizations to assist at these collection sites. Additional trucks and trailers are also needed to serve as collection centers for donations. For more information, please call (704) 455-3500.

-- de (delewis@XOUTinetone.net), September 24, 1999.

Compassion, creating community, helping others and taking responsibility enough to care to share... are some of the greater lessons to be learned... with natural and manmade disasters... including Y2K and beyond, IMHO.

Or not. (Its a souls growth thing).

Choices... choices.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), September 24, 1999.