Off to Haven of Rest Thrift Store

[Clipper]

I called them and they accept used hospital equipment such as commode chairs, walkers, etc. I am taking them a commode, a set of safety rails that go under a toilet seat, a handrail that screws to wall studs, a shower bench and a walker. I also have a wheel chair that was my dad's but the arm rests are worn out and torn. Kathy put fabric around them with velcro but for $10 I can order new ones and then clean up the chair and donate it in like new condition.

I also found a case of 6 packages of disposable bed pads, and 3 unopened packages of adult disposable underwear that hospice had ordered and had delivered. We used bed pads for awhile when she had a catheter when she first came home from the hospital the last time but never used any of the depends. The plan is to buy a couple of packages of disposable infant diapers and donate that stuff to hurricane relief.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Good idea and I am sure most people need everything. I saw video of home in mountain area of North Carolina just washed away. I cannot imagine being there and surviving.

[Clipper]

In this area there have been so many donations that some of the distribution points in NC have had to stop accepting them and they are being diverted to be stored until needed. There are still daily deliveries to the victims but places like Bristol Motor Speedway are accepting the donations from individuals and churches and are distributing and having people deliver them as needed. They are also giving things out to folks that are able to get out and drive to this area to pick up what they need. My friend Bonnie is volunteering today with a couple of other drivers from their church. She is going over the mountain today with a load of just diapers, baby formula, feminine hygiene products, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies. More roads are being opened back up every day and deliveries are becoming easier as areas become accessible. If I get my new phone today and get it in service I may think about volunteering again starting tomorrow.

It is much more organized having donations delivered to the speedway distribution center, sorted by county and organized for ease and tracking what is needed. Before when all the local churches and organizations were collecting donations and delivering themselves there was a lack of communication between churches that were collecting stuff. It resulted in a glut of one thing being delivered and shortages of other critically needed items. With the speedway acting as a central point with a communications system set up to communicate with the stricken areas they get what they need most and in and organized fashion.

Alot of focus originally was on providing hot and cold prepared meals for victims without power and those in shelters. Now, as roads open and power is restored to some areas, those areas simply need to have the groceries delivered and many who still have a home can cook for themselves. Also as people return home and start the cleanup the need for cleaning supplies, chain saws, mops and shovels becomes a real need. I guess they are beginning to get calls for sheetrock and screws as well as other building supplies as they begin restoring their homes where there was water damage to the walls but not a total destruction. These southern folks are tough and resilient and there is a neighbor helping neighbor attitude that sees a mobilization of volunteers leaving their jobs and homes to go to the aid of those in need.

wcyb.com/news/local/bristol-motor-speedway-transforms-into-a-hub-for-disaster-relief-efforts

[clarencebunsen]

My former daughter-in-law and oldest grandson are headed down there. She has a 4WD wagon and is towing a small ATV. She is an RN so I'm sure they will find a way to be useful.

[Clipper]

Oct 9, 2024 18:06:12 GMT -5 clarencebunsen said:

My former daughter-in-law and oldest grandson are headed down there. She has a 4WD wagon and is towing a small ATV. She is an RN so I'm sure they will find a way to be useful.

i am sure that she and her services will be greatly appreciated. The areas hardest hit are beginning to recover slightly in that there are not as many areas that are inaccessible and there or groups of helicopter pilots and owners that are providing their services for free to the areas not yet accessible by road.

I am taking a break from volunteering for a few days. I was beginning to feel the effects on my knees, feet and back from standing on the hard kitchen floor at that church I worked at and out of last week as well as the rigors of loading and unloading and the sitting too long in the car. They moved that operation to Johnson City this week. I may volunteer again next week. The distribution of the goods being gathered, categorized, and sorted by county at the speedway is in need of drivers to deliver to distribution points. I could hook up my little trailer and fold my seats down and would deliver within and hour of two of here if they need me. I am not going back over to the distant places in NC like Spruce Pine or the mountain areas north and east of Asheville. I am simply too old for the rigors of those kind of trips and the loading and unloading.

[BHU]

You can only do so much, no sense in hurting yourself.

[Clipper]

Oct 9, 2024 22:32:49 GMT -5 BHU said:

You can only do so much, no sense in hurting yourself.

Today I will be testing the old joints and muscles bowling. I bowl at 10am in Kingsport on a senior league and at 7pm here in Bristol on a church league. Great exercise but when I wake up tomorrow, I will be reminded that I got more than plenty of physical exercise, lol.