Task force will add funds to drug fight
November 13, 2012Bayou Cane FD vote has ramifications
November 13, 2012
Take a moment to think about the things you would use after a hurricane.
Then take a few extra moments to drop the items off at one of Arabie Trucking’s donations spots for the Hurricane Sandy relief drive.
“These items will be going to Amityville, N.Y.,” said Arabie Trucking shop foreman Trey Ledbetter as he packed boxes in the company’s warehouse. “It’s a town of 9,610.”
Donations will be collected until Friday at Arabie Trucking, the Mathews Government Complex and the Galliano Government Complex. Volunteers will also be collecting items from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday at the Houma west side Wal-Mart.
The relief effort, dubbed “Lagniappe from the Bayou,” will send two supply-laden trucks to the east coast.
Arabie Trucking pioneered the effort, and Lafourche Parish Government got involved to offer its network of public employees and their families, and the ability to get the news out to citizens quickly.
Parish President Charlotte Randolph, no stranger to coping with hurricanes, said news reports detailing the residents’ plight made the decision an easy one. Aside from dealing with gas shortages and rebuilding destroyed homes and infrastructure, thousands still remained powerless at the start of the week and have had to deal with snow – with no electric heaters – in the aftermath.
“I can’t imagine what that’s like with snow,” Randolph said. “That’s insult to injury. As bad as hot is, I don’t know that cold is better, that’s for sure. … We’ve been the beneficiary of so many different areas of this country throughout our disasters that it was time for us to give back.”
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo may seek about $30 billion in federal aid due to Sandy’s wrath, according to news reports that surfaced over the weekend.
Lagniappe from the Bayou organizers are seeking can and paper goods, baby food, diapers, cleaning supplies, water, batteries, blankets, pet supplies and any other supplies that hurricane veterans feel would help Sandy’s victims cope with the problems they’re facing.
“We just feel for them because we’ve been there, done that, and it’s a long period before you recover,” Randolph said.
Volunteer Kelly Breaux separates donated items for Arabie Trucking’s Hurricane Sandy relief drive. The trucking company will be collecting items in front the the west side Wal-Mart from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and Friday.
