2 Sleeping Pads

What an amazing and intense two weeks these have been! As Judy wrote today: "CNN and UNICEF have concerns about oncoming rains .... shelters are of primary importance at the moment ! Little do they know what we have ready to ship! "

Another committee member sent out that at last count we were over 300 tents. And I know the scouts were sending some tents that hold 10-12 people. Whole families will be able to be sheltered and protected from the elements.

Wednesday (tonight) is crucial! We will need everyone available at Royalton to help out with packing and tidying up and sorting out what we have and what's ready to be sent in this container.

We are receiving daily updates telling us that collection boxes are overflowing again and are ready to be picked up. It truly is amazing how much stuff has been collected and the generosity of the people near (and sometimes, not so near) is truly outstanding.

Tomorrow is the very last day for donating and collecting anything. Two days left until the container is sealed and shipped off. Two days.... wow!

Judy on the Radio

If you can get near a radio at the following times, please tune in to hear
our fearless leader!

1) Today (Tuesday) on CHML (AM900) at 5:20, live for six minutes with Host
Scott Thompson.

2) Tomorrow (Wed) on Talk 820 at 12:25 (I think, or else some time between
12 & 12:30) on "Hamilton at Noon" with Host Robin Foley.

I heard from some in the group that Judy did a great job. Word is getting out and media coverage is awesome! This container is such a success.

3 Comfy Blankets

Over the past few weeks, I have had a number of little kids who have offered up blankets to donate to Haiti. Everyone knows how warm and comforting a soft blanket can feel and what a wonderful feeling to send to all those in Haiti.

Three days left of final packing and organising!

Big Day of Packing

I wasn't able to help out, but from all reports, last night's packing was a huge success. There were tons of people there who did tons of work. I am sure Adelia kept them in line. She looks like she means business here. She certainly embraced this project with open arms. Nice to know that while we all work hard, we don't forget to smile and remember our cause and reason for being here.
All joking aside, sounds like pretty much all the packing is done. We needed more labels printed which means more than 300 boxes have been packed and are ready to go. That's not counting the piles and piles of tents still to be packed. Thanks to Lara for the pics!

4 Sturdy Tarps

The next biggest hurdle, once you get past the hunger, (can you really ever get past the hunger?), is going to be the rain. And the rain will come. It's not a matter of if, really, but more when.

Tarps are easy to hang and can keep a bit of the rain off. Tarps are a huge item on our list! And they aren't expensive either. We got a great stack yesterday from the dollar store.

New Faces. Packed Boxes

I was early getting to Royalton yesterday and was met in the parking lot by two young people looking for the Containers of Hope group. They had heard about us, through the paper, TV and internet, and wanted to come and help. We had quite a few people just drop in to see how they could be of assistance. It was wonderful.

I stopped at Mountain Equipment Coop, on the way, to pick up the sleeping bags, sleeping pads and water bottles they had for us, and waiting for us at Royalton were also the Scouts Leaders from Fergus who had another truckFUL of tents. They returned a while later with yet another load. And a tractor trailer full of tents comes later today. Wow! We also arrived to see the mountain of sheets donated by the Marriott in Toronto.

Packing resumes tonight, Monday, at Royalton, at 5:30. This week is the final push. The last day for drop offs to the locations listed on the left is Wednesday as the packing must be finished on Thursday. Friday, the workers from Atlas Van Lines come to move all of our boxes in to the container to be packed nice and snug for their trip to the Dominican and then to Haiti.

If you haven't done so yet, get all your items in so they can be added. The stacks of boxes are amazing. Remember to stick to the items on the list!

Also, received an email from Mina Wahidi, Executive Director of the Compassion Society of Halton. They are added to our list of drop off locations. They are collecting Thursday ONLY. Make sure to keep checking the list to the left of places to drop off items as it grows day by day.

Thank you everyone!

5 Cans of Black Beans

Food, Food and some more Food. A little girl named Livvy came in today to drop off some donations. She is 8 and lives in Oakville. She told me that she has been watching the news and the most important thing that the earthquake survivors in Haiti need right now is FOOD. Then they need tents and tarps to keep them dry, she said, and then they will need houses. But for now, we really need to send them some food, (and blankets to keep them warm). That's the most important.